Long, Beautiful, Sandy Beach on the Fraser Coast in Queensland
Situated in the centre of Hervey Bay, beautiful Scarness Beach runs for 6 km from Tooan Tooan Creek to Urangan.
It is best known for being one of the leading spots in Australia to view whales on their annual migration along the East Coast up to Far North Queensland.
This phenomenon takes place between June and October, and especially around August, when the Humpback Highway has the most traffic.
However, throughout the year, Scarness Beach is a popular destination for domestic holidaymakers and, increasingly, international tourists.
Largely, this is due to it offering the visitor plenty in the way of beach activities, and overall amenities, most of which can be found on The Esplanade and shady foreshore reserve that backs it.
Where is Scarness Beach?
Scarness Beach is situated just under 300 km north of the Brisbane CBD and about 125 km south of Bundaberg.
On a clear run it will take you about 3 hours and 15 minutes to drive from the former destination, and about an hour and 15 minutes from the latter.
The beach is one of many you can visit in Hervey Bay, which is situated on the Fraser Coast Region in Queensland.
Things to do at Scarness Beach
One of the best things to do at this north facing beach is to walk. The soft sand feels delightful on your feet and the views of the Coral Sea (and whales if you see them) are quite wonderful.
As Scarness Beach is patrolled by surf life savers, free of stingers and protected by K’gari, which you can visit on local tours, it is a very popular spot for swimming.
It is also a favoured destination for kayaking, sailing, jet skiing, and fishing. The latter of which you can choose to do from the beach or off the Scarness Jetty, which is an iconic 870 metre long structure that was built in 1917 and once connected trains to the ships which docked at its end.
Just off the beach is an area of rocky reef that features incredible coral formations that some people believe are every bit as good as the Great Barrier Reef.
Away from the sand, kids will love to play at Scarness Park, where there is a fantastic ocean-themed playground, and there are also some lovely boutique shops to visit, and plenty of fabulous places to eat.
Where to stay in Hervey Bay
If you intend to visit the area for longer than a day trip, there are plenty of excellent holiday accommodation options near Scarness beach you can choose to stay at.
You’ll find several hotels and resorts directly over the road from the beach, which provide easy access to the sand, The Esplanade and local eateries.
However, if you’d prefer to stay at the nearby Hervey Bay Caravan Park, they have a good mix of powered and unpowered sites.
You’ll also be able to enjoy their outdoor swimming pool, laundry facilities and undercover bowling green, among several other fabulous amenities.
