Tasman Venture offers whale watching half day cruises from Hervey Bay on the Fraser Coast, Queensland during the months of July - November. You can enjoy a whale watching package including scenic flights or a 4wd adventure of Fraser Island whilst in this area. Tasman Venture also offers fishing charters for Reef to Game fishing options.

Get up close and personal with the whales- experience the trip of a lifetime aboard our new, fast luxurious vessel. The fast speed of the Tasman Venture means that viewing time is not encroached on by hours of travelling time to the Whale Watch area, providing more actual viewing time with the whales.

You can also experience the live whale song that is amplified through the vessels P.A. system as the whales are beside and beneath the vessel. This is all possible with state of the art hydrophone equipment.

Tasman Venture is a specifically designed fully air-conditioned whale watching vessel with excellent access and 360 degree viewing decks around the vessel. The Tasman Venture also features two air-conditioned underwater viewing rooms where you can see the whales up close and personal in their natural environment.

The newest addition to the Tasman Venture is a specifically designed viewing platform that allows you to be at the water's surface and have eye to eye contact with the Humpback Whales. A totally awe inspiring moment can be encountered as a whale passes right underneath you and as you feel the mist from their blow. There is no other boat in the fleet that offers such a unique up close and personal encounter with these gentle giants. Come join us today for the experience of a life time that is second to none. Enjoy the expert accredited commentary with all the facts and explanations of the whale activities. Tasman Venture Tours 1. Half Day Whale Watching Tour (July – November) Departs Hervey Bay Marina/Urangan Boat Harbour Morning Tours - Departs ~ 8:30am*; Returns ~ 12:30pm Afternoon Tours - Departs ~ 1:30pm*; Returns ~ 5:30pm * Boarding 15mins prior to departure Includes: • Expert accredited commentary • Hydrophone equipped for listening to the whales sing • FREE transfers from your accommodation (Hervey Bay area) • Fully licensed bar • Complimentary morning / afternoon tea – tea, coffee, biscuits, cakes, and cheese and biscuit platter on the way home • Access to the unique viewing platform that allows the closest viewing possible • Guaranteed sightings (return ticket if no whales sighted) • Two air-conditioned underwater viewing rooms • Air-conditioned comfort in all cabin areas • FREE ‘Close Encounters” Whale DVD (worth $20) with each booking

Fraser Explorer Tour Includes • National Park Fees • Comfortable air-conditioned 4WD coaches with seat belts • Morning tea, buffet lunch and refreshments • A swim in the pristine waters of beautiful Lake McKenzie • Take a walk beside Wanggoolba Creek and see rare king ferns • The ancient rainforests of Central Station • A visit to the exquisite Basin Lake, home to turtles • Enjoy a drive along amazing Seventy-Five Mile Beach • A swim in the fast flowing fresh water of Eli Creek • Stop at the Maheno Shipwreck • Marvel at The Pinnacles - vibrant coloured sand cliffs

Includes • Door to door personalised service • A stop for morning tea • A Tasman Venture Whale Watching trip • Afternoon tea • Snacks on return trip • Comfortable bus transfer • This tour can be booked as Tour Only or Tour including Lunch

Operates August to November Includes • Scenic Flight from the Sunshine Coast to Hervey Bay • Half Day Whale Watch Tour aboard the Tasman Venture • Scrumptious lunch at the Hervey Bay Marina • Return Fraser Island ‘Explorer Flight’ to Sunshine Coast

Enjoy a complimentary morning tea on board and delicious lunch at the Hervey Bay Marina. Our return flight will take you over the southern part of Fraser Island on the 'Explorer Flight' with views of the Fraser Island lakes and 75 Mile Beach, its sand dunes and magnificent vegetation. Fly past Rainbow Beach, The Coloured Sands, Cherry Venture Shipwreck, 45 Mile Beach, National Parks Noosa and Mt Coolum to the Sunshine Coast Airport.

Watch out for Dugongs any sightings will be reported to research and will be rewarded with a box of chocolates.

What's Supplied • All meals supplied • Bedding and linen • Bait and tackle • Custom made rods (by Gary Howard) • Alvey winches • Penn and Shimano reels • Fish professionally handled and stored • Snap freeze equipment • Fish filleted or frozen whole

Tasman Venture II, a Cougar Catamaran, was built in 1992. Due to the increased speed of the vessel, it was possible to offer a morning and afternoon half day cruise giving more people access to the awesome experience of whale watching in the calm waters of Hervey Bay. It also made possible, local day fishing charters and extended reef charters became more viable and are today a fisherman’s delight.

The day after the Tasman Venture II began operating Lloyd was already thinking about designing a new boat. Finally in 2004 he had designed the NEW Tasman Venture with the assistance of New Wave Catamarans and the construction began. Lloyd was heavily involved in all aspects of the design and construction of the boat and with the help of family and friends fitted out the boat on completion. Lloyd and Robyn could not have been happier with the end result, a boat that is purpose built for Whale Watching, Fishing Charters and Family Fun!!

Tasman Venture Specifications

• 20 metre New Wave Catamaran • Two 700 HP Catapillar motors • 25 Knot Cruising Speed • Refrigeration • Television and video • Stereo and CD player • Satellite Mobile Phone • HF and VHF radios

• State of the art navigational equipment • Fully licensed • Fully Air Conditioned • Underwater Viewing Windows • Guaranteed Sightings • Morning and Afternoon tea supplied • Free Pick up Service • Hydrophone Equipped

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