A good pub is the heart of any regional town, and the Fraser Coast has plenty of them — from enormous waterfront entertainment venues in Hervey Bay to grand, verandah-wrapped heritage hotels in Maryborough. Whether you are after a schooner with a sea view, a big Sunday feed or a session with the locals, here are the spots worth pulling up a stool at.
1. Hervey Bay Boat Club, Urangan
It is technically a licensed club rather than a pub, but no round-up of Fraser Coast watering holes is complete without it. Nestled along the Urangan Marina, the Hervey Bay Boat Club is a one-stop entertainment hub with waterfront dining, multiple bars and free live entertainment on most days. It is big, buzzy and brilliant value, and the marina views make it a favourite for sunset drinks. Sign in as a visitor at the door and settle in.
2. The Torquay Hotel
Right in the thick of the Torquay end of the Esplanade, “The Torquay” is the classic Hervey Bay pub — a relaxed, friendly local a short stroll from the beach. Cold beer, a solid bistro and an easy, unpretentious atmosphere make it the natural choice for a post-beach drink or a casual dinner in the heart of town.
3. Beach House Hotel, Scarness
Sitting right on the Scarness waterfront, the Beach House Hotel is a Hervey Bay institution and one of the best-positioned pubs on the whole coast. Expect a big, dependable bistro menu, generous plates and a genuinely enormous drinks selection — more than 60 taps to work through. With the beach across the road and a lively deck, it is equally good for a family lunch or a longer session.
4. The Criterion Hotel, Maryborough
Head inland to the heritage city of Maryborough and the pubs take on a grander, older character. The Criterion is a beautiful example — a classic Queensland corner hotel with high ceilings, timber and a real sense of history, in a town full of gorgeous 19th-century architecture. It is the pick for a characterful counter meal and a look at the region’s colonial past.
5. Nikenbah Tavern
For a proper local’s local, the Nikenbah Tavern on the outskirts of Hervey Bay is a favourite with families and sports fans alike — roomy, welcoming and built for a relaxed afternoon of pub classics, cold drinks and the footy on the big screen. It is the kind of easygoing suburban tavern every good town needs.
Tips for a Fraser Coast pub crawl
The Hervey Bay waterfront pubs — the Boat Club, the Torquay and the Beach House — are all within easy reach of the Esplanade, so you can happily string a few together on foot or with a short taxi hop. If you are exploring Maryborough, build your visit around a heritage-pub lunch and a wander through the historic streets. And as always on the coast, weekends and holiday periods get busy, so book ahead for dinner where you can.
Make a day of it
Round out your Fraser Coast trip with the rest of the region’s best: our guides to the best dinner spots and best breakfast spots in Hervey Bay, and — in winter — a morning out on the water with our Hervey Bay whale watching guide.
