Hervey Bay is a bay of the Coral Sea in the Bundaberg Region and Fraser Coast Region of Queensland, Australia. The bay covers 4,000 square kilometres with a main opening facing northwards. The northern end of the bay is about 80 km wide and its average depth is about 20 metres. In the south of the bay lies the Great Sandy Strait. The Mary River, Burrum River and Burnett River flow into the bay. Hervey Bay is partly protected from oceanic swells by the southern extension of the Great Barrier Reef.[3] To the east of the bay is K\\\’Gari (formerly known as Fraser Island).
It is known for its whale watching. Hervey Bay is also a spawning region for temperate pelagic fish. Fish populations have supported a fisheries industry that is worth several tens of millions of dollars. Aquaculture is developing into a significant industry for the bay. Recreational fishing around the bay is a tourist drawcard.
Parts of the bay are protected within the Great Sandy Marine Park.
