There's so much more than just whales at Australia's whale-watching capital

Queensland's Hervey Bay has become known as the world's whale-watching capital, but a chance to spot the incredible mammals is far from all the small coastal city has to offer.The quiet city is the gateway to the stunning K'gari (formerly known as Fraser Island), the world's largest sand island which is world heritage listed for its 'exceptional beauty', and the breathtaking Lady Elliot Island on the Great Barrier Reef.Hervey Bay is also a destination itself, offering the perfect spot to enjoy a relaxing seaside holiday in the Sunshine State and taste some state's best seafood and produce.READ MORE: A guide to K'Gari (formerly Fraser Island) - a piece of paradise just off of mainland AustraliaIt has largely been known as a "hidden gem" for many Aussies, with flights into the city's small airports having only previously come from Brisbane and Sydney.But now, Jetstar has also added direct 2.5-hour flights from Melbourne to Hervey Bay in the hope of attracting more people from down south.Here's a round-up of the top things to do and where to eat once you're there.READ MORE: Six unlikely destinations young travellers are flocking toTop things to doWhale watchingIf you're going between June and mid-October, you need to go whale watching.Hervey Bay was declared the world's first Whale Heritage Site in 2019.It's the only place on Australia's east coast where humpback whales break their 10000km return migration from the Antarctic to the Tropics to rest, play and recuperate.They typically stay in the area for up to 10 days.A number of companies, such as Whalesong Cruises, offer boat tours to go and search for the whales, while other companies offer special swimming tours that allow visitors to safely swim alongside the large animals.If you're lucky, you'll also spot whales from the beach and from the air while flying in and out of the city.Go on a sunset cruiseA sunset cruise on a yacht sailing on the Great Sandy Strait from Hervey Bay was superb.I'm a huge fan of sunsets and the one we saw on the boat trip was up there with the best I've seen. The water was so calm as we sat on the bow of the yacht, having a drink as the sun went down.The colours were so vivid and right before the last light it was amazing to see thousands of bats fly overhead as they migrated to K'Gari for the night.We went on a private skippered charter with Fraser Island Boat Charters, which was very relaxing, but many people also do bareboat yacht charters and have their own adventures. Boats can be hired for the day or overnight stays.READ MORE: Would you use an AI travel agent to book your next holiday?Visit K'GariHervey Bay is the closest access point to K'gari and its stunning natural wonders.Think expansive glowing white beaches beside coloured sand cliffs, majestic tall rainforests and more than 100 incredibly clear freshwater lakes and streams.The barge from Hervey Bay to the western side of K'Gari takes about 45 minutes.A trip on a small boat takes even less time, and a trip by helicopter is just 15 minutes.You can read more about the attractions on K'gari here.Visit Lady Elliot IslandBetween the scenic small plane rides, getting to snorkel alongside turtles, sharks and rainbow fish and the bright white beaches and turquoise water, a trip to Lady Elliot Island was nothing short of magical.Lady Elliot Island is a coral cay - a tiny island formed from sediments derived from the reef it sits on - at the southern tip of the Great Barrier Reef.It is surrounded by so much reef that it's only accessible by small plane - and it's so small that the airstrip covers the length of the island.It's just a 40-minute flight from Hervey Bay on a plane and the flight is a treat itself. On the way in we spotted dozens of manta rays and even a couple of whales around the island. It's known as the 'home of the manta ray', with more than 1000 recorded in the area between May and July.Once we were on the island we kitted up at its dive shop then headed out in a glass-bottom boat, where we spotted turtles alongside us and underneath us, before joining them in the water.Home to more than 1200 marine life species, Lady Elliot has gained a reputation as one of the best snorkeling spots on the Great Barrier Reef, and the reputation did not disappoint.It was amazing swimming over the colourful reef alongside thousands of fish and surreal to have a turtle and reef shark come right up beside me.Day trips are a popular way to visit Lady Elliot Island, or you can stay at the island's accommodation. It's a family-run eco-resort centered around being natural and sustainable, encouraging guests to have a digital detox and running off its own desalination plant and solar power.Make sure to book ahead of time though, as the island's visitors are capped to respect the island and the peace.Where to eat in Hervey BayOdyssey Bistro Odyssey Bistro in Scarness is a must-visit for foodies and those after a special experience as well as a feed.The "casual fine dining" restaurant doesn't have a regular menu and is all about showcasing local producers.Diners are presented with a sealed envelope revealing the three-course menu of the month, complete with a map showing where on the Fraser Coast the produce has been sourced from.The chefs focus on sustainable practices and low-waste food prep and are fantastic at catering to tricky dietary requirements. The food was divine and the staff were charming.Banksia Seafood and GrillBanksia Seafood and Grill is another charming Scarness restaurant specialising in local produce.It is much more casual and relaxed than Odyssey and focuses specifically on meat and seafood. The food was delicious and the chefs were great with dietary requirements.The writer was a guest of Jetstar and Fraser Coast Tourism and Events.