Location, Population & Size
Hervey Bay is located 300km north of Brisbane and about 40km north east from Maryborough, situated on the coast opposite Fraser Island. The population is around 40,000 and growing at an annual rate of 6.9%, making it one of the fastest growing communities in Australia.The Hervey Bay Council's area of responsibilities include the communities of Toogoom, Howard & Burrum Heads to the north, Torbenlea & Aldershot to the west, River Heads to the south west and parts of Fraser Island including Eurong.

History
Hervey Bay was discovered by Captain Cook in 1770 who named the bay after Augustus Hervey, Lord of the Admiralty. The bay was later charted by Matthew Flinders in 1802. White settlers with cattle arrived in the region around 1850. Mid 1860's land around the foreshores of the bay was subdivided for holiday homes for the residents of Maryborough and housing for local fisherman.

The town of Hervey Bay was originally 5 small separate holiday and fishing communities that eventually grew together to become the large township it is today. These villages of Urangan, Torquay, Scarness, Pialba and Point Vernon are now the central suburbs of Hervey Bay with Pialba being the business center. Hervey Bay was proclaimed a city on the 18 February 1984.

The original industries of the area were timber on Fraser Island & parts of the coast, mining of coal, limestone, bismuth & magnite at Howard, sugar cane, sheep & cattle farming and commercial fishing. Although some industries have declined or ceased such as mining at Howard and logging on Fraser Island, others are still going well today with new industries and opportunities emerging with the growth of the city.

Town Infrastructure
The city has 3 commercial retail centers being Pialba, Torquay & Urangan and 2 industrial estates located at Booral and south of Dundowran. Urangan has a large marina and resort complex that is world class and still expanding. There are 3 large shopping complexes boosting the usual major retailers, a 6 cinema complex and a vast array of specialty shops. A new 120 bed hospital was completed in 1997 and offers all ranges of medical services. There are 6 state & 2 private primary schools, 2 state & 2 private high schools, 1 Tafe college and the University of Southern Queensland.

Local transport consists of 2 bus companies that service the entire Hervey Bay and Maryborough region. The Bay also has its own airport that was recently upgraded with a new terminal and car park facilities. Well equipped and manned Police and Fire stations are also part of the bay's infrastructure. The Aquatic Center has an Olympic size pool complete with an attached shaded child's pool all of which are surrounded by manicured lawns and gardens.

Strengths of Local Economy
Tourism, marine resources, Sugar cane, local farming, commercial fishing, seafood processing, timber products including treated pine and the building industry.

Main Attractions & Recreation
Due to Hervey Bay's location it has become known as the gateway to Fraser Island which is one of this regions greatest attractions but by no means the only one. Another famous attraction is the whale watching which occurs between the months of August and October. A week long whale festival officially opens the whale watch season highlighted by a evening parade followed by fireworks, (around 30,000 people attend the parade each year). The water ways around the bay are legendary for their fishing qualities and protected calm waters and abundance of wildlife including scores of Dolphins and Turtles.

Beautiful unspoiled clean beaches line the shores of the bay with water temperatures remaining warm all year round. Add to this the wild life park, water slide, magnificent golf courses top tourist facilities and first rate clubs you have what is called a tropical paradise. Most club sports are catered for from sailing to indoor cricket, roller-blade hockey, soccer, rugby and the list goes on. Including the relaxed lifestyle this city has the lot.