9 DAYS FISHING IN QUEENSLAND - SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES OF AUSTRALIA

At a glance:

• 4 nights Hamilton Island
• 3 nights Hervey Bay
• 1 night Fraser Island

The Journey:

• Nearest Major City: Brisbane
• Duration: 9 days
• Mode of Transport: Buggy, On Foot, Boat, Plane, Car, Ferry, 4WD

DAY 1

Arrive Hamilton Island, collect your buggy at the airport and transfer to the Reef View Hotel.

Spend the afternoon making use of Hamilton Island resort’s complimentary activities including catamarans, windsurfers, kayaks, stand up paddleboards, snorkelling equipment, tennis courts, gym, spa or sauna. Lounge by one of the many island pools, or simply explore the island by golf buggy.

Alternatively, venture over to Dent Island for a round of golf at the Hamilton Island Golf Club – the only championship golf course on its own island in Australia and a Signature Course member of Great Golf Courses of Australia.

In the late afternoon, don’t miss sunset drinks at One Tree Hill, Hamilton Island’s renowned hilltop lookout.

This evening dine at Coca Chu offering mouth-watering South-East Asian cuisine, a sleek contemporary interior and amazing views.

Highlights:

• Enjoy Hamilton Island’s many complimentary activities or head to the Main Pool to enjoy a peaceful dip and cooling beverage at the swim-up bar.
• Take in the stunning Whitsunday views from Dent Island while you enjoy a round of golf.
• Watch an unforgettable sunset over the Whitsunday Islands with a cocktail in hand at One Tree Hill.

DAY 2

Join Renegade/Quest Angling Expeditions* for a Full Day Outer Island and Great Barrier Reef Fishing Trip.

A large variety of fish in high volumes are targeted on this full day charter. Travelling to remote grounds, fish the outer Whitsunday Islands and inner and outer reefs (weather permitting). The full day charter includes both reef fishing and trolling for pelagic species (conditions and seasons permitting).

Tonight, enjoy mouth-watering Italian cuisine at Romano’s or savour fresh, local seafood inspired by Japanese cuisine at Mariners. Alternatively, have the chef cook your fish from today’s fishing expedition.

*Fishing experiences with Renegade/Quest Angling Expeditions can also be undertaken from Airlie Beach.

Highlights:

• Enjoy reef fishing, trolling and sport fishing in the outer Whitsunday Islands.
• Fish for black marlin, sailfish, Spanish mackerel, tuna and GTs, tasty coral trout, red emperor, red throat emperor and nannygai.
• Have a Hamilton Island chef prepare and serve your catch for dinner (conditions apply).

DAY 3

Today you may wish to undertake another day’s fishing with Renegade/Quest Angling Expeditions.

Alternatively, take a trip to Whitehaven Beach, one of the world’s most unspoiled and beautiful beaches. Whitsunday Island’s famous beach stretches for seven kilometres and the sand is 98 per cent pure white silica, which gives it a brilliant, near luminescent colour.

Hamilton Island offers several Whitehaven Beach day trips and Whitehaven Beach tours. You can explore the beach via a helicopter or seaplane from the island, and can also sail to Whitehaven Beach on one of the island’s yachts.

This evening enjoy dinner at Manta Ray, a relaxed pizza restaurant with views over Hamilton Island Marina.

*Fishing experiences with Renegade/Quest Angling Expeditions can also be undertaken from Airlie Beach.

Highlights:

• Take a scenic cruise through the Whitsundays, helicopter or seaplane flight or high-speed catamaran to Whitehaven Beach.
• Spend the day swimming in sparkling turquoise waters and relax on the stunning white silica sands of Whitehaven Beach.
• Enjoy the relaxed vibe and water views at Manta Ray.

DAY 4

Today, head out to the amazing Great Barrier Reef with Cruise Whitsundays or Explore.

The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef with over 3000 individual reef systems and coral cays. Spend the day exploring the incredible array of marine life at this World Heritage site. Dive, snorkel or simply relax and enjoy the view.

Extend your time on the reef and experience the magic of the Great Barrier Reef at night with an overnight Reefsuite or Reefsleep experience.

Highlights:

• Snorkel or dive the stunning Great Barrier Reef – home to over 1,625 species of fish, including 1,400 coral reef species.
• Sleep underwater or under the stars on a Reefsuite or Reefsleep experience.

DAY 5

Make your way via buggy to Hamilton Island Airport for your flight to Brisbane, and connecting flight to Hervey Bay.

On arrival at Hervey Bay, transfer to The Oaks Resort and Spa, located on Hervey Bay’s picturesque Esplanade.

Hervey Bay is home to a plethora of seafood restaurants along the Esplanade. Dine in at highly-regarded The Vinyard, or grab some coral trout and chips from Maddigan’s then head to Torquay Beach.

Highlights:

• Wake up early for a sunrise walk on one of Hamilton Island’s many bush and walking trails.
• Relax by the sparkling lagoon pool at The Oaks Resort and Spa, Hervey Bay.
• Enjoy fresh seafood from one of the many seafood restaurants along the Esplanade, Hervey Bay.

DAY 6 

Meet at Urangan Harbour for a full day Hervey Bay Fly & Sportfishing charter.

Hervey Bay and the Fraser Coast boast some of the best sport and fly fishing to be had on the east coast of Queensland. The sheltered waters off Fraser Island are one of the very few places in Australia with an overlap of southern and northern species, including snapper, barramundi and threadfin salmon.

Tonight, make your way to The Dock Bar and Restaurant overlooking the marina. This urban industrial-themed bar offers a cool fun vibe and tapas-style food menu.

Highlights:

• Fish the beautiful waters of Hervey Bay with professional guides and custom-built boats.
• The unique fishery of the Fraser Coast offers both southern and northern species as well as the opportunity to spot whales between July to November.
• Enjoy breathtaking views and a cleansing ale at the Dock Bar and Restaurant.

DAY 7  

Today, enjoy another full day fishing charter with Hervey Bay Fly & Sportfishing or head out on a morning or afternoon Whale Watch tour (July to October) with Whalesong.

There is nowhere better to go whale watching than the world’s first Whale Heritage Site. Expect up-close natural encounters with these gentle giants in their own environment including breaches, spy hops, fin slaps, boat muggings.

Tonight, unwind over dinner at the Bayswater Bar and Grill, the Oaks Resort’s onsite restaurant.

Highlights:

• Get up close and personal with magnificent whales in the first Whale Heritage Site.
• Learn about all local marine mammals (humpback whales, dolphins, dugongs, sharks, turtles and bird life) as well as the local history of K'gari (Fraser Island) and Traditional Land Owners, the Butchulla people.
• Listen to the whales ‘sing’ via hydrophone.

DAY 8

Enjoy another day fishing with Hervey Bay Fly & Sportfishing.

Alternatively, spend the day discovering the world’s largest sand island – Fraser Island.

Hire your own 4WD or join a Fraser Explorer tour from Hervey Bay. Offering endless beaches, freshwater lakes and ancient, tropical rainforests, beautiful Fraser Island is also home to native wildlife such as dingoes and goannas.

Extend your time on Fraser Island with an overnight stay in eco accommodation at Kingfisher Bay Resort.

Highlights:

• Explore the world’s largest sand island by 4WD.
• Visit the stunning crystal-clear waters and white sand beach of Lake MacKenzie.
• Spend the night at Kingfisher Bay Resort and join a ranger-guided night walk to spot unusual and rare wildlife.

DAY 9

If staying on Fraser Island, join a Ranger-guided walk such as a Bush Tucker Walk or Great Sandy Strait Walk before returning to Hervey Bay by ferry.

Depart Hervey Bay.