Maryborough's heritage-listed Queens Park is one of the best parks in the Southern Great Barrier Reef area. Photo / Supplied
Each week, expat Kiwis tell us what they most love about living by Queensland's beaches. Today we hear from Nancy Bates, editor of the Fraser Coast Chronicle.
SEE
Best beach: Hervey Bay's 14km sweep of golden sand is one of the safest beaches in the world.
Best walk: Maryborough has easy walking trails through 14.5ha of Pioneer Park.
Best adventure: Four-wheel driving on the 113km ocean beach of Fraser Island. Drive yourself or take a day tour.
Best view: From the Bayswater restaurant bar at Oceans Resort and Spa where you can gaze at the beach and bay.
Must do: Explore the quirky sights and listen to the colourful tales in the unique heritage city of Maryborough.
When Kiwis visit, they love: The relaxed lifestyle, the friendliness, the unclogged roads, the off-beat activities and the most equable climate in the world.
Best-kept secret: Duncan Chapman. The Maryborough officer who was the first Anzac ashore was fittingly honoured this Anzac Day with a statue.
Famous for: Humpback whales take R&R in Hervey Bay for three months on their way to the Antarctic, and P. L. Travers, author of Mary Poppins, was born in Maryborough.
Best water activity: Kiwi Larry at Aquavue cafe on the Hervey Bay beach at Torquay has water sports galore for sheltered Hervey Bay and the islands of Sandy Strait.
Best place to swim: Hervey Bay. The Mary River is less popular since the crocs returned.
TASTE
Best coffee spot: Try Toast, Allikats, French Hot Bread Shop, Maddisons Cottage and the Engineers Arms.
Best spot to get an icecream: Mammino Gourmet Icecream, specialising in macadamia nut varieties and berry flavours, can be bought direct from the farm half an hour north of Maryborough or from other outlets.
Best picnic spot: Lions Park at Burrum Heads.
The best local produce: Macadamia nut cooking oil.
Where should we eat? Seabelle Restaurant at the Kingfisher Bay Resort on the western side of Fraser Island has a world-class gourmet menu.
Looking for something special for dinner? Maryborough's Sugar Coast Seafoods is outstanding.
Where to hang out when the sun goes down: The Beach House on Hervey Bay's Esplanade, the clubs in either city, or one of the historic pubs in Maryborough.
PLAY
Best shop: Homewares from Everywhere in Maryborough is a unique retail experience of quirky products.
Don't miss: A swim at Lake McKenzie on Fraser Island.
Worth paying for: Snakes Downunder, just south of Childers, is brilliant value at A$22 ($23.30) entry.
Best sporting event to catch: The Kingfisher Bay sailing at the end of January or Superboats racing in September.
Best cultural activity in the area: Maryborough's Mary Poppins Festival in early July.
STAY
Best place to rest your head: The Esplanade at Hervey Bay has a broad choice of accommodation.
Highly recommended accommodation: The five-star AAA Bay Apartments. Prices start from A$195 a night.
Favourite hotel nearby: The Beach House.
RELAX
Best sunset view: From Kingfisher Bay's beach, watching the sunset on the water towards the mainland.
Best beach or park: Maryborough's heritage-listed Queens Park.
Best place to be pampered: The Natural Touch Body and Skin Treatment Centre in Hervey Bay.
Favourite spa: Spa Botanica at Oceans Resort and Spa.
OPINION: My 3-year-old's eyes lit up at the magic of Bluey's World.