The town of Hervey Bay (pop. 15,000) lies within the shelter of Fraser Island. This is one of the most popular holiday areas on the Queensland coast, with quiet beaches suitable for small children. The mild climate draws many visitors from the colder south of Australia during the winter months. The town consists of a string of beach resorts
round the bay (Gatakers Bay, Pialba, Scarness, Torquay, Urangan, Burrum Heads, Toogoom, Howard, Torbanlea).
Urangan has a pier 1km long much favored by anglers, from which there is a good view of Fraser Island. In Scarness is a museum with relics of early settler days.