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Fraser Island & the Fraser Coast

Includes  Why Go? Hervey Bay...... 149 North of the much vaunted Sunshine Coast is this little Rainbow Beach...... 154 pocket of quintessential Queensland which takes in World Maryborough...... 156 Heritage–listed Fraser Island and some mellow coastal com- Childers...... 157 munities, such as Hervey Bay and Rainbow Beach, the agri- cultural centre of Bundaberg, and numerous old-fashioned Burrum Coast country towns never too far from the ocean. National Park...... 158 Fraser is the world’s largest sand island, home to ancient Bundaberg...... 159 rainforests and luminous lakes, moody ocean swells and a Fraser Island...... 161 beach shipwreck – few leave here unimpressed. Across the waters of the Great Sandy Strait, Hervey Bay appeals to re- tirees and young travellers alike, and from July to October, migrating humpback whales stream into the bay. Further Best Places to south, tiny Rainbow Beach is a backpacker hot spot with Eat decent surfing. ¨¨Coast (p153) Bundaberg, the largest city in the region, is a friendly, sunny urban centre overlooking the sea of cane fields that ¨¨Paolo’s Pizza Bar (p153) fuels its eponymous rum, a fiery spirit guaranteed to scram- ¨¨Waterview Bistro (p155) ble a few brain cells. ¨¨Pop In (p157) ¨¨Oodies Cafe (p161) When to Go ¨¨Alowishus Delicious (p160) Bundaberg °C/°F Te mp Rainfall inches/mm 40/104 20/500

16/400 Best Places to 30/86 12/300 Sleep 20/68 ¨¨Eliza Fraser Lodge (p165) 8/200 10/50 4/100 ¨¨Debbie’s Place (p155) ¨ 0/32 0 ¨Torquay Beachfront J FDM A M J J A S O N Tourist Park (p152) ¨¨Colonial Lodge (p151) Aug Scoot your Jul–Nov Watch Nov–Mar Spy on boots at the Gym- humpback whales turtles laying eggs ¨ ¨Standy’s B&B (p157) pie Music Muster. – optimal sighting in the sand at Mon ¨¨Inglebrae (p160) time is August to Repos. October. m h s k c e l a 0 i e 2 C m B

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Fraser Island Island & the & the Fraser Fraser Coast Coast

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