Why retirees are flocking to this sunny seaside town
By Mark Skelsey
Thanks to its sunny skies and pristine marine environment, the Queensland seaside township of Hervey Bay has become one of Australia’s retirement hotspots.
With close to 900 people aged over 45 deciding to make the move there from other parts of Australia in 2017/18, it’s now the fourth most popular retirement destination in the entire country. And it’s easy to see why.
Hervey Bay is home to the historic wooden Urangan Pier, which stretches almost a kilometre out to sea. The pier was originally built to support the export of sugar, timber and coal but now provides the perfect aquatic lookout to spot schools of fish and stingrays and dolphins.
If you’d like to actually get into the water, Hervey Bay is the perfect year-round destination for swimming, sailing, fishing, yachting, waterskiing, stand-up paddle boarding, snorkelling and more. It’s also home to what is arguably the best whale-watching in Australia, in gorgeous calm waters that are sheltered from winds and swells by Fraser Island.
A further part of Hervey Bay’s seaside charm is its main Esplanade, which runs alongside the bay and features cosmopolitan and alfresco cafés, shops and parklands.
Fraser Shores retirement villages in Hervey Bay
Many of Hervey Bay’s incoming residents are finding their way to the two conveniently located Fraser Shores retirement villages.
Operated by Blue Care (a service group of UnitingCare Queensland), these two villages are collectively home to some 441 single-storey homes.
Incoming residents can choose from a wide selection of spacious brick-and-tile, two- and three-bedroom homes – including an executive model with three bedrooms, two en-suites and a hobby room. Home prices range from $290,000 to $525,000.
Fraser Shores’ homes have won the Masters Builders Queensland’s Top Homes of the Year Award for design, character and value for money.
All designs offer careful orientation and large doors and windows for maximum cross-ventilation. This helps village residents take advantage of coastal breezes. All homes are also built at ground level for easy access and feature spacious modern kitchens, bedrooms and living areas.
Finally, each home is equipped with an emergency call system, which is monitored on-site 24 hours a day by trained staff with first aid certification.
Resort-style facilities
The homes are surrounded by amazing resort-style facilities, where residents have unlimited use of the full-sized bowling green, swimming pool, community centre, licensed bar, fitness centre, craft and computer room, outdoor barbeque areas, libraries and so much more.
Incoming residents have the opportunity to meet new friends and be part of an active and supportive community. A well-organised residents’ committee arranges functions and social activities such as outdoor and indoor bowls, pool and billiards, movie nights, tai chi, line dancing, yoga, arts and crafts, exercise and computer classes.
Residents at Fraser Shores can also access a range of Blue Care community services, offering individually tailored support and care for peace of mind if and when they need it.
Finally, the villages’ community lawns and gardens are beautifully maintained, leaving more time for activities, relaxing or socialising.
Everything is close by
The Fraser Shores villages are close to a commercial and professional centre, housing medical specialists, a large general medical practice and a wide variety of shops and services. The region’s new state-of-the-art St Stephen’s Hospital is also just down the road.
In addition, onsite recreational vehicle, caravan and boat storage gives you the freedom to plan your travels with ease, including when you want to chase fun, sun and adventure with the ‘grey nomad’ brigade.
The villages themselves are also close to major centres around the country.
Hervey Bay is just a 3.5-hour drive or 40-minute flight from Brisbane, and also enjoys direct flights to Sydney.
Stunning climate
Many residents move to Hervey Bay to avoid the winter chills of Australia’s southern states, as the region enjoys a warm climate even during winter, with average high temperatures of 23°C during August, and average low temperatures of 10°C. This compares favourably to average August high temperatures of just 18°C in Sydney and a chilly 16°C in Melbourne.
Enquire now
Fraser Shores Retirement Villages embody quality, resort-style living with great value for money, in an attractive coastal environment which is the envy of the rest of Australia.
To make an inquiry about Fraser Shores, click here.
This content has been prepared by Downsizing.com.au on behalf of Blue Care, an agency of UnitingCare which manages more than 30 retirement villages across Queensland.