Events Attraction Prospectus Fraser Coast
Welcome to the Fraser Coast region The Fraser Coast region encompasses an area of over 7,000 square kilometres in South East Queensland. The twin cities of Maryborough and Hervey Bay service our nearly 100,000 residents, while the rural communities of Tiaro and Woocoo provide a ‘tree change’ lifestyle.
The Fraser Coast is the ideal location and tourism destination to host events
Fraser Coast a year round aquatic playground
Events play an important role in the cultural, social and economic development of a region. A lively regional events calendar provides an opportunity for bringing communities together, celebrating our region’s diversity and fostering a shared sense of place for the region.
Hervey Bay’s safe sheltered stinger-free waters make it an aquatic paradise perfect for year round swimming, diving, sailing, fishing and water sports. Dotted along the 14km Esplanade are alfresco, cosmopolitan cafés, shops, parklands, picnic areas, playgrounds, piers and a vibrant marina.
Events Attractions Prospectus
The Fraser Coast is where nature comes alive
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The Fraser Coast is a stunning tapestry of nature’s wonders uniting the iconic World Heritage-listed Fraser Island and the Great Barrier Reef. The calm protected waters of Hervey Bay offer a natural playground for thousands of majestic Humpback Whales providing the worlds best up close and personal whale watching experience from late July to early November each year. The beauty of the Great Sandy Strait and its coastal villages are complimented by a stunning coastline of pristine, white sandy beaches. The splendour of the Fraser Coast is not only confined to the coast, with inspiring heritage in Maryborough along with national parks, native woodlands, heath and dense rainforest and the beautiful Mary River combining the best of the Fraser Coast Hinterland including Tiaro and Bauple. As part of the UNESCO recognised Great Sandy Biosphere, the region’s unique and diverse natural attractions are officially recognised in the same class as the Galapagos Islands and Central Amazon.
The Hervey Bay Foreshore provides the ideal backdrop and base for events. The Urangan Harbour provides uninterrupted views, with a spectacular backdrop of Fraser Island and the Great Sandy Straits. The harbour and slipway is surrounded by clubs, restaurants and cafes and a business precinct supportive of hosting events and providing complimentary entertainment. The area boasts quality accommodation options, substantial parking space as well as access to mechanical and engineering services and fuel supplies. Spectators will be able to watch from many vantage points stretching from the harbour to the end of the Urangan Pier - which juts out 800 metres into Hervey Bay - including Dayman Point and adjacent beaches. Alternatively, the Hervey Bay foreshore provides another option - stretching 14 kilometres from the Urangan Harbour to Gatakers Bay at Point Vernon. This choice offers ample space for thousands of spectators to have uninterrupted views. The ocean side of the Esplanade is public parkland - offering unrestricted parking for spectators.
The business precincts of Urangan, Torquay, Scarness and Pialba have a proven record of working cooperatively with Council and event organisers to host and stage complimentary entertainment and event programs. Appendix 1 provides more information on our precinct facilities and capacity options. Go to page 8.
Accommodation to suit every budget Something that has never changed on the Fraser Coast is the casual and relaxed lifestyle that entices visitors to return year after year. From 5-star luxury resorts, family holiday parks, private villas or cabins, affordable self- contained apartments, quaint B&B’s, private holiday houses to backpacker villages and hostels, there is something to suit everyone’s needs and budgets on the Fraser Coast. Fraser Coast region offers approximately 12,000 beds and boasts a wide range of accommodation options catering for all tastes and budgets. For more information on accommodation options: www.visitfrasercoast.com/ accommodation
Easy Access and a great Climate The Fraser Coast is not only nature’s perfect year round aquatic playground - it’s also the ideal playground to stage events. The Fraser Coast is an easy 3 ½ hour drive from Brisbane and is well serviced by air, rail and coach links. • By Road: Brisbane - Maryborough (255 kms) • By Air: Brisbane - Hervey Bay 45mins - Qantas Link, 3 times daily Sydney - Hervey Bay 1hr 50mins - Virgin Blue, daily Qantas, weekend flights • By Coach: Premier and Greyhound Coaches provide north and southbound services daily to Maryborough and Hervey Bay • By Rail: Brisbane - Maryborough (Tilt Train 3hr 30m) Twice daily Sunday to Friday The Fraser Coast enjoys an enviable sub-tropical climate, which averages a warm 30° C in summer and 22° C in the winter.
Events Attractions Prospectus
Generally, the amount of rain days and rainfall on the Fraser Coast peaks during the north Queensland cyclone season around mid-February each year.
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The Fraser Coast a perfect host The Fraser Coast is an ideal location for all events with an outgoing population who love to live life out and about, as well as being an easy draw-card to convince visitors to attend. Have a little look deeper and you will find the facilities and the solutions to make your event a success.
Host to major events • Australian Offshore Superboat Championships • 2013 Ulysses AGM – 3,500 participants • Junior State Cup Touch Championships 6,000 participants and visitors • Scouts Jamboree 12,000 participants plus visitors • Relish and Pub Fest • Qld Music Teachers Conference • Mary Poppins and Maryborough Open House • State Surf Life Saving events including the State IRB Carnival, Annual Masters Carnival and regional junior and senior carnivals • The iconic ‘Pier to Pub’ Ocean Swim • Major rotational sporting and cultural based events Events promoted and managed by our clubs and community groups are well regarded by competitors and spectators alike; which has seen a growth in participation numbers in events managed by local community groups, sporting clubs and association.
Events Attractions Prospectus
Media Partners
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To ensure maximum exposure with all events managed and promoted on the Fraser Coast the Fraser Coast Regional Council and Fraser Coast Opportunities can assist with establishing strategic media partnerships, if required. All local media partners are united and committed to the support of our efforts during our quest to secure significant events such as the Junior State Cup. Media support can be arranged for prior and during to ensure your event receives significant promotion and coverage.
Media within the Fraser Coast and Wide Bay Burnett region includes: • Television Channel 7, Southern Cross Austereo News Network, WIN TV. • Print Fraser Coast Chronicle, Hervey Bay Observer; Hervey Bay Independent, Maryborough Herald. • Radio Sea FM, Mix FM, ABC Radio Wide Bay, Fraser Coast Community Radio, Rhema and Kix FM
Support and Assistance • Sponsorship Support Financial support may be available for events that meet specific assessment criteria as defined in the Fraser Coast Regional Events Strategy 2020. • Marketing Support We can help support and market your event through feature listings on destination websites and advertising throughout VICs and our enewsletter. We can also create media releases and provide assistance with developing package offers for visitors. • Logistics Support We may help logistically by offering event waste bin servicies; waiver of venue hire fees; assistance with road closure permits; use of mobile electricity boxes. • Other Support Assistance with major event bids and supply of regional promotional material for inclusion e.g. promotional photography and written information on local tourism and other services and attractions. Visit www.frasercoastopportunities.com.au/event or www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au
Conference and Convention Facilities
Showground and Equestrian Facilities
The Fraser Coast has an extensive range of venues to suit all types of meetings and conferences. • The Brolga Riverside Theatre and Conference Centre, Maryborough One of the region’s leading conference venues, with three spaces plus breakout areas to cater for nine to 900 people. Situated on the banks of the beautiful Mary River within the heritage precinct of Portside, the centre also has extensive grounds for external display and entertainment.
• The Maryborough Showgrounds and Equestrian Centre This facility was host to 12,000 Scouts for the 2013 Scout Jamboree. Located on the Bruce Highway north of Maryborough and only three hours drive from Brisbane it hosts a range of major national, state and community events throughout the year. Set on over 105 hectares it features pavillions, grandstands, canteens, a bar and catering facilities. It is ideal for conventions, expos, concerts, festivals, markets, concerts and camps and has first-class equestrian facilities for competitions, training, harness and trail riding with a covered arena, show ring, campdraft, cross country course, racetrack, stockyards and 200 horse stable. Powered sites and amenities are available for caravans, motorhomes and large vehicles.
For more information on facilities and capacity options go to page 9
Visit the Maryborough Showground and Equestrian Centre Website to see what events will be happening soon!
Recreation and Sporting Facilities
For more information on facilities and capacity options go to page 10
Events Attractions Prospectus
The Fraser Coast is home to a range sporting fields capable of hosting National and State Championships. Our linear foreshore is scattered with open space and park facilities allowing great views for spectators. There is also a state-of-theart Aquatic Facility with indoor and outdoor heated pools.
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Stay Longer and explore the Fraser Coast The Fraser Coast has been blessed with some of Australia’s most stunning natural attractions that provide the backdrop for a huge range of activities that will suit all ages.
Food and Dining
Must do experiences
The Fraser Coast region abounds in quaint country cafes and pubs, boutique and arty espresso bars, beachfront alfresco cafés, fine dining restaurants and traditional fish and chip shops.
• Discover History Maryborough’s living history is captured in beautiful old homes and buildings, outstanding museums, iconic historical characters and events, festivals and ghostly tours.
The Fraser Coast is also home to old fashioned lolly shops, gourmet ice-cream, exotic jams and macadamia nut specialities. Whether by the ocean, river, lake, island or sidewalk, you can enjoy an amazing range of gourmet delights where there is something delicious to suit even the most discerning taste buds.
Events Attractions Prospectus
Regional and cosmopolitan cuisine is bountiful throughout the Fraser Coast, which is quickly becoming renowned as a food and coffee mecca to both local and visiting foodies. Many chefs prefer to use regional produce supporting local growers and fishermen, as well as showcasing the high quality of local and regional produce.
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In market stalls, on restaurant dinner plates and in local stores and gift shops, you will find mouth-watering local produce. Seafood is the centrepiece of our food scene, including Hervey Bay scallops and succulent prawns harvested from local waters, which can be bought cooked or fresh at retail outlets or enjoyed at local restaurants, prepared to perfection. For more information on food and dining options: www.visitfrasercoast.com/restaurants
• Discover Fraser Island Just over an hour by road and barge from Maryborough, Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world and the only place on earth where rainforests grow on sand. • Discover Mary Poppins Visit the Mary Poppins statue outside the heritage listed bank building where the author P.L. Travers was born in 1899. Dress up and join in the Mary Poppins Festival in July 2008. • Discover Art and Culture Take in a show at the Brolga Theatre or view a stunning display of public and streetscape art along Maryborough’s inner city streets and the Mary River Parklands. Maryborough’s lively restaurant and café scene offers a range of dining options. • Discover a Marine Wonderland No visit to the Fraser Coast region is complete without a trip to the Great Sandy Strait, a marine wonderland home to several rare species of fauna and offering some of Australia’s best fishing and boating.
• Discover Whales Each year from late July through to early November, the mighty humpback whales take time out from their annual migration to rest and play in the protected waters of Hervey Bay. It’s a time to celebrate these magnificent mammals of the deep and there is no better place to experience their antics and their awesome size. • Discover Fishing Hervey Bay offers plenty of fishing opportunities. Drop a line off the long Pier, throw one off the beach, manoeuvre your line off the rocky outcrops in Point Vernon or go knee deep down Eli Creek. Burrum River also offers a variety of species, and Toogoom is also a favourite for the fisherman. For the bigger one’s try a sportfishing charter or hire a tinnie or canoe.
• Discover by Air Fly over Fraser Island and the Great Sandy Strait in a helicopter, light aircraft, a tiger moth, or even a microlite. Beach land on 75 Mile Beach on Fraser Island or take a scenic flight to the tip end of the Great Barrier Reef and discover Lady Eliott Island. • Discover Nature Relax and enjoy 16 kilometres of long, white sandy beaches. We have one of the safest swimming beaches in Queensland. Take a walk through the Botanic Gardens or visit the Vine Forest Walk and Arkarra Lagoons. Cycle on a bike built for one, two or four along the foreshore and get in touch with nature - bring your bucket and spade.
• Discover the Calm Waters Love your water activities? We have plenty to choose from - hop on a jet ski tour to Fraser Island, stay dry on a glass-bottom boat trip, cruise at sunset on a luxury catamaran, kayak or canoe on the calm waters, holiday on a houseboat or spot the dolphins, dugongs and turtles on a highspeed thrill ride.
Events Attractions Prospectus
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Appenix 1: Large Conference and Convention Facilities Seat Capacity Facility/Venue Theatre
Events Attractions Prospectus
Public Amenities
Parking
Accommodation
Conference facilities
In-house catering
Brolga Theatre
≤ 900
≤ 350
≤ 350
≤ 25
•
•
MB or HB
•
•
Hervey Bay RSL
≤ 400
≤ 260
≤ 350
≤ 30
•
•
Within 2km
•
•
Hervey Bay Boat Club
≤ 300
≤ 200
≤ 350
≤ 20
•
•
Within 100m
•
•
Beach House
≤ 500
≤ 450
≤ 500
N/A
•
•
Within 2km
•
•
Ocean Resort and Spa
≤ 250
≤ 180
≤ 40
≤ 90
•
•
•
•
•
Police Citizen Youth Centre
≤ 800
≤ 500
≤ 1,000
≤ 30
•
•
Within 2km
•
•
Carriers Arms Hotel Motel
≤ 300
N/A
N/A
N/A
•
•
•
•
•
Kingfisher Bay Resort
≤ 300
≤ 180
≤ 300
≤180
•
•
•
•
•
Mantra Resort
≤ 200
≤ 140
≤ 300
N/A
•
•
•
•
•
Maryborough City Hall
≤ 800
≤ 250
≤ 800
≤ 60
•
•
MB or HB
•
N/A
Rivera Resort
N/A
≤ 120
≤ 200
≤ 60
•
•
•
•
•
Susan River Homestead
≤ 170
≤ 130
≤ 200
≤130
•
•
•
•
•
Sportsmen’s Club Hervey Bay
≤ 320
≤ 300
≤ 400
N/A
•
•
Within 2km
•
•
≤ 175
N/A
≤ 100
≤ 50
•
•
Within 2km
•
N/A
≤ 120
≤ 80
≤ 100
≤ 30
•
•
•
•
•
University of Southern Qld Wide Bay Motel & Conference Centre
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Banquet Cocktail
Board Room
Appenix 2: Event Precinct Facilities Facility/Venue
Capacity
Public Restaurants Stage or Parking Accommodation Lighting Amenitie and Dining Pavilion
Park and Tourist Picnic attractions or Markets Facilities activities
Urangan Harbour Large >4,000
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Urangan Pier Park
Medium (2000-4000)
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Torquay Precinct
Large >4,000
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Medium (2000-4000)
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Medium (2000-4000)
•
•
Within 1 km
N/A
•
•
•
•
N/A
Portside Precinct
Large >4,000
•
•
MB or HB
•
•
•
•
•
•
Seafront Oval and All Abilities
Large >4,000
•
•
Within 1 km
N/A
•
•
•
•
N/A
Botanic Gardens
Large >4,000
•
•
Within 1 km
N/A
•
N/A
•
•
N/A
Queens Park
Large >4,000
•
•
MB or HB
•
N/A
N/A
•
•
N/A
City Hall Green
Small < 2,000
•
•
MB or HB
•
•
•
•
•
•
Scarness Precinct Pialba Precinct: Cultural Centre – Freedom Park
Events Attractions Prospectus
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Appendix 3`: Sporting Facilities Sport
Facilities
Aquatic Hervey Bay Aquatic Centre
50m outdoor pool (8 lanes), 25m heated covered, 15m indoor heated, kids play lagoon
Maryborough Aquatic Centre
50m outdoor pool (8 lanes), 25m heated outdoor, 15m indoor heated, kids play
Rugby League / Union Eskdale Park, Maryborough
2 fields, grandstand and lights
Hervey Bay Sports and Leisure Park Stafford Park, Hervey Bay
2 senior fields, 2 junior fields with lights and perimeter fencing
Walkers Road Recreation Reserve, Hervey Bay
2 fields with lights and warm up fields
Football (Socer) Federation Park, Maryborough
4 senior fields (2 fields with lighting), 2 junior fields and a clubhouse
Hervey Bay United Soccer Club Inc
2 fields with lighting and a clubhouse (licenced)
Hervey Bay Sports and Leisure Park
3 fields with lights and clubhouse
Touch Hervey Bay Touch Association Inc (Hervey Bay United Soccer Club) Maryborough Touch Association (Maryborough West Soccer Club)
4 x touch fields with lights and amenities 5 x touch fields, canteen toilets, administration building
Hockey McFie Park, Tavistock St, Hervey Bay
4 x grass fields (update for artificial turf)
Maryborough & District Hockey Association
1 x wet artificial surface and 3 x grass fields
Basketball Maryborough Basketball Association
1 indoor court and 2 outdoor courts
Hervey Bay PCYC
3 indoor courts
Cricket Newtown Oval; Maryborough
3 turf wickets
Walkers Road Recreation Reserve, Hervey Bay
2 turf and 2 artificial wicket
Raward Road Recreation Park, Hervey Bay
1 turf wicket
Netball Hervey Bay Netball Association
6 hard courts
Maryborough Netball Association
4 hard courts, 2 grass
AFL
Events Attractions Prospectus
Ocean Reef Park, Maryborough
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Raward Road Recreation Park NE McLean Oval, Hervey Bay Walkers Road Recreation Reserve Keith Dunne Oval, Hervey Bay
1 oval, lights, a small clubhouse 1 oval, lights and a clubhouse 1 oval, lights and a clubhouse
Softball Maryborough Softball Hervey Bay Softball Association
2 Diamonds 4 diamonds with lights
Tennis Hervey Bay & District Tennis Association Inc
4 hard courts and 8 grass courts;
Maryborough & District Junior Tennis Association
6 grass courts, 5 hard courts and 5 clay courts
Equestrian • Dundowran Equestrian Park • Maryborough Showgrounds and Equestrian Park • Torbanlea Recreation Reserve Sailing • Hervey Bay Yacht Squadron • Maryborough Sailing Club, Hervey Bay • Hervey Bay Sailing Club Surf Lifesaving • Hervey Bay Surf Life Saving Club Motorsport • Maryborough Speedway • Maryborough Showgrounds and Equestrian Park • Hervey Bay Motocross • Action Park,Maryborough Athletics • Hervey Bay Athletics Club • Burrum District Little Athletics Club • Maryborough Amateur Athletics BMX • Maryborough BMX Gymnastics • Hervey Bay PCYC • Maryborough Gym Sports • Wide Bay Gymnastics Centre Shooting • Fraser Coast Shooting Complex • Maryborough Clay Target Club & Maryborough Gun Club • Tiaro & District Sports Club Range
Events Attractions Prospectus
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Tourism I Events I Marketing I Enterprise PO Box 488, Hervey Bay Q 4655 P 07 4191 2600 www.frasercoastopportunities.com.au
72 Tavistock Street, Hervey Bay Q 4655 PO Box 1943, Hervey Bay Q 4655 P 1300 79 49 29 F 07 4197 4455 www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au