Top 8 Things To Do Along The Esplanade, Hervey Bay
Visitors to Hervey Bay will quickly become acquainted with The Esplanade (also known as the Charlton Esplanade). Stretching from Point Vernon to Urangan, The Esplanade is home to shops, cafes, restaurants, resorts, an exercise path, playgrounds and not to forget the beautiful beach.
Here are the top 8 things to do along The Esplanade:
Enjoy breakfast with a view
Start your day right by enjoying a delicious breakfast or brunch with a coffee on the Hervey Bay waterfront at Enzo’s on the Beach. Featuring a 3-page well-priced breakfast menu, this popular eatery covers all the bases from granola bowls to smoked salmon omelettes, Canadian pancakes and more. Lounge on a beanbag under the palms or take a seat in the undercover alfresco area, every seat has a glistening ocean view and with generous portion sizes and speedy service even on the busiest days, Enzo’s is sure to impress.
Walk, ride or skate along the Esplanade
Work off that big brekky with a leisurely stroll along the seaside. Keep to the left and listen out for bike riders and mobility scooters on this 17km long beachside path that stretches from the Boat Club in Urangan to Gatakers Bay. The perfect place for some daily exercise or a family outing and pram-friendly, the path winds past cafes, souvenir shops, caravan parks, playgrounds, the waterpark and SkateSide where you’ll find some very talented youngsters carving it up on BMX, scooters and boards. If you’re in the mood for a gentle ride but don’t have your bike, you will find several bike hire businesses along the path.
Take a refreshing dip in the Great Sandy Strait
After all that exercise there is nothing better than cooling off in the shallow waters of the Hervey Bay foreshore. Bring a floatie or noodle and relax in the clear warm water as baitfish and the occasional mullet swim around your feet or paddle the bay on your kayak or SUP. Just remember not to leave your towel below the high tide line as you rush to jump in!
Make a splash at WetSide
WetSide is Hervey Bay’s very own children’s waterpark! This FREE state-of-the-art playground is monitored by lifeguards and features whale spouts, a waterslide, water cannons and TotSide play area for babies and toddlers. There’s a nice shady area where parents can relax and a small kiosk for refreshments. Wetside also features two giant waterslides and the FlipSide Boardride wave pool - tickets for these attractions can be purchased from the kiosk.
Walk the pier or cast a line
At the far eastern end of The Esplanade, you will find the historic Urangan Pier. Built-in 1917, this impressive pier stretches 880 metres into Wide Bay and was originally constructed to assist with exports of sugar, coal and timber from the area. Urangan Pier is now a popular fishing spot for tourists and locals alike and many couples even choose to take their wedding photos here.
Tuck into fish and chips on the beach
Hervey Bay’s number one fish and chip shop is just across the road from The Esplanade. Maddigans Seafood serves up fresh local varieties of fish and crunchy chips to the hungry masses on a daily basis and receives nothing but good reviews. Purchase a cheap and tasty lunch or dinner and sit down on the beach to enjoy.
Play like a big kid
The All Abilities Playground next to SkateSide on Hervey Bay’s foreshore contains a huge structure that is great fun for adventurous children and adults alike. Embrace your inner child and race your friends and family up the climbing net and then down one of the three tunnel slides or see how high you can get on the basket swings - there’s plenty of fun to be had by all!
Always finish a good day with dessert
While there are several ice creameries along The Esplanade to tempt your tastebuds, you can’t beat the selection at Planet 72. With so many flavours to choose from, there’ll be some tough decisions to make but you can always come back for more!
