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[allendchilledzo]

HERVEY Bay: “Where the Friek is it?…”

Introductions
Hi I am Allen a down to earth, sometimes too friendly, Australian who after traveling Asia a lot, before my 25 birthday- a life goal achieved; I am loving living back home In Australia. Queensland, where I got my education, is a home base of sorts, even though I live in Melbourne writing.

Why the Hervey Bay as a re-charge spot, where some say only old retirees like laid back Australian version of Florida live here? Well, there’s a great community spirit, beyond scenic, and the best beach front; plus I have friends and family here and the art is very good and many photos opportunities.

The food and shopping is better than thought of, and I need to re-build and re-charge after some vicious web bullying campaign. You can enjoy fish and chips in the parks or go 5 star to the Peppers resort drop in superb food near Uranguan jetty.

Having traveled extensively, as said, through Indo-china for four months solo, until meeting friends, and lived in: Japan, Thailand and South Korea; I have experience traveling and knowing how to survive. Recently returned from Israel and that was a very dangerous experience, and so I love the safety of the Bay.

Hervey Bay has it own appeal and exotic in its own way, especially for those that love coastal zones. The beach and of course Fraser Island is nearby and a world heritage destination. Hervey Bay is so conveniently located on your way up to northern Queensland.
Getting here from Brisbane:
Beautiful blissful fun Hervey Bay is 289 kilometers from Brisbane and easily reached by train from Roma Street in Bne, or coach if you don’t want the walking room or bus change over at Maryborough station: reasonable prices. TRAIN RESERVATIONS DETAILS.13000131722
Tilt train: 3 ½ hours, “Spirit of the Outback” or “The Sunlander”. Tilt train: adult fair economy not business $57.20.Change to bus 45 minutes at Maryborough West train staiuon to Bay Central.
Greyhound bus $67.13: 5hrs 55mins straight to Bay Central. They have a tour booking odffice there and information exchange and gfree pick up backpackers buses.
Flights: Jetstar and Virgin Blue from Melbourne Sydney recently $89. Regular air services from Sydney and Melbourne now, with arrivals at River heads 15 minutes from the Bay.
Local Travel:
Wide bay now has local buses every 1hr from major bus stops along the Bay.
4wd hire
bikes
walking and bike paths along the Esplanade
taxis some, thin on demand and number
many Fraser options group 4wd tours over on ferry, Boats from Boat harbour
air service to Fraser Island and Lady Elliot Island charter flights. See www.herveybay.qld.gov.au
Geographic Bearings
Its one of Australias fastest growing cities ( doesn[t have Noosa tourist mecca appeal which would be an advantage too many) and will have 80000 residents projected for 2011; yet still as a laid back beach village feel especially across the Esplande which stretches from the Uranguan Pier and beach front all the way to an isolated beach at Point lookout. All this can be reached by a hired bike: see backpakers or Aqua Valve.

Now townships of Pialba, Scarness, Torquay and Uranguan have merged into one single urban area with excellent shopping from clothes and art to food to one ideal second hand bookshop full of memoires and travel books and some collectable comics.

Parks
Parks dot the forefront, with the most well manicured of them being Bill Fraser Park-perfectly kept and a great café for breakfast brunch and hiring water sports makes it’s a hub of activity.
Fast Facts
Main industries: tourism, retail, construction, light manufacturing and agriculture
International sister city- Leshan ( China) and Otsuki (Japan)
History
Captain Cook saw it in 1170 rounded Sandy Cape and thought it was joined to the mainland, labeled it Hervey Bays. Then Matthew Flinders landed on Sandy Cape in 1802 and mapped the Bay. Indiginous Butchulla people are the traditional custodians of this land, and as a result many streets named with aboriginal names. First settler was Boyle Martin in 1863 who introduced sugar farming to the area. 1896 railway line was constructed from Maryborough to Pialba and exported sugar and coal.
Backpackers Trail
Well a very well worn path and essential journey is from Sydney up to Northern Queensland and the top end of Australia. Don’t forget or take note of an un-discovered beautiful shared secret re-charge place on that way is Hervey Bay. Fraser Island is a must and see the most artful brilliant photos by local phtographer artist Stephanie Finlayson at www.photoscapes.com.au
Remember it’s 31/2 hours from Brisbane by train, longer by bus or even quicker by regional air or a long, fun driving trip by shared car.
Event Never Misses
Check the local Independent paper for events like:
*now over for another year Jazz festival 12-16 September
*13 December Carol by Candlelight tonight
At Sea Front oval Pialba at 5.00 pm. Local churches like Assembly of God and jumping castle and sideshow stall providing food local acts and choirs and band and Guy Sebastion and others performing.

[starlagurl]

Thanks for the starter kit, Allen!