HAVING A WHALE OF A TIME!

Enzos- a favorite cafe

On my very first night as a solo traveller, I met some really gorgeous people. Cathy and Col and their awesome son Kyle. They were going around Australia too, with Kyle doing his education remotely via the internet. Like his parents, Kyle has incredible social skills and can talk to anyone, regardless of age, ethnicity or views. And he has the same big warm smile as his mum! These people made that first night the best it could possibly be, and were instrumental in my positive outlook towards traveling. I still keep in contact with Cathie via Facebook and love all the incredible photos she posts there, of their travels. And where did they come from? Hervey Bay!

So, even on the outskirts of Hervey  Bay, I began to look forward to being here. Which wasn’t usual as I hadn’t found a place to stay reasonably cheaply yet, and for once, Wikicamps did not help me. Lots of high priced Caravan Parks though! But suddenly the sun was shining and the breeze was fresh as I came along the Maryborough Road and approached the Eli Waters (a suburb of Hervey Bay) roundabout. From there I could go to Point Vernon , or Boat Harbour Drive, or to the Esplanade.

I chose the Esplanade. Great choice! The Esplanade stretches from The Pines at Pialba Beach, along Scarness Beach, onto Torquay Beach and around to Urangan Pier. This is one of the longest and most beautiful beach fronts, backed by gorgeous picnic parks and paved walking tracks I have ever seen. And every beach front has its own unique ambiance. Pialba, for instance is a quieter, more open. Scarness has more to offer the families with childrens playgrounds and busy, pretty shops across the road. Torquay is slightly nicer with the awesome Enzos Café right on the beach. One of my favorite cafes ever! Very ‘beachy’ with a laid back but stylish presentation. You can have your Chai Latte at the little tables and chairs outside, shaded  with their colorful Umbrellas, or laze luxuriously on the bean bag lazyboys there. While across the road smart shops becon the bemused tourists.

 Urangan slowly becomes less busy again, given more to the joggers and walkers who take advantage of the long,  well kept paths and quiet beachfronts there. Until you get to Urangan Pier. I loved walking out here, not only for the fabulous views but it has such clean, fresh salty air, and an easy walk. God, I just can’t fault this esplanade!

However, I still had the sticky problem of finding somewhere for the night. By this time I  was so smitten with Hervey Bay, I was determined to stay, if I could find somewhere cheap enough. OK. So here is the bottom line. You shouldn’t do this…. BUT…. I’d heard that Hervey Bay was very easy going on campers who made no problems and that if you parked somewhere quiet ….. well, anyway, a lovely Hervey Bayer told me of Point Dayman Park, very near to the Bay Marina.

 As it was low season, if I was quiet and I left early, she said the locals were pretty good about it. So off I went, expecting a dark, or at least overgrown area to hide in. But no! Dayman Park is stunning! Parking is in two well paved sections, surrounded by childrens area, picnic area and a café right on the beach. And yes… you can walk straight onto the beach! The views from the beach and the top section are to die for, yet the locals that I met were both friendly and smiling. Now I know the caravan parks are against this, but I think the locals have the right idea. If you are quiet and leave no trace why not have campers who will then frequent all the local businesses? But be warned STIFF penalties for camping if they decide to persue it.Anyway I will love Hervey Bay forever more because of Dayman Park!

The next Day as I went to do some shopping at the Urangan Shopping Mall (see… letting us stay, works!) I saw the Botanical Gardens next to it and decided to have my coffee in there. All I can say is…. Is there no part of Hervey Bay which is not beautiful? These Gardens are just so stunning and well designed I ended up staying the morning there. Walking along the winding paths around the lake and onto the viewing platform in its middle,  watching the fountains play in the sunlight and dance along the waters, on through the Chinese gardens, and  down into the woodland glades. I almost forgot to have my coffee at the picnic tables there.

The rest of my time in Hervey Bay was much the same every day. Wherever I went was either endless beaches or cool green foliage. Even the rocky flat outcrop of Point Vernon was magical, set in natural woodland parks with easy parking, that you could walk straight out to the sandy low tide flats with.  The Marina, back in Urangan,  was lovely too, with the bobbing boats in the harbor and the busy shopping area and cafes behind it. From here you can take a boat trip to see the whales, in season. Unfortunately I was a month out, as mid to late July is when the wonderful humpback Whales migrate up here to warmer waters, some staying for a while, some continuing northwards. If this place had a downside for me, this was it. I missed the Whales.

But who am I kidding. Hervey Bay was perfect! And I will be back to see the Whales!!

Dreams are what you do before you make it Reality.
The Grey Chihuahua