If you’re dreaming about booking a holiday to escape the dreaded winter that is already kicking us in the guts – but your budget doesn’t scream “Euro vacay vibes” – there’s a stunning option so much closer to home. In fact, there’s never been a better time to book a holiday to Queensland. We could give you our very long list of reasons to visit various parts of Australia’s Sunshine State (and we will, later on in this article), but sitting at the top of our list is just three words: whale watching season.Queensland’s whale watching season typically runs from June through November, when more than 40,000 humpback whales migrate from Antarctica to the state’s warm tropical waters. Peak sightings typically occur from July through September, when whales are actively breeding, calving and playing with their newborns.Hervey Bay, a coastal city in Southern Queensland, is fondly known as The Whale Capital – with very good reason. “Hervey Bay and the Fraser Coast are a World Heritage – linked paradise where the ocean, island, and mainland create something truly special,” Andrea Cooper, co-owner of Freedom Ecotours told news.com.au. “The calm, sheltered waters of Platypus Bay – protected by K’gari (Fraser Island), the world’s largest sand island – turn this into a natural sanctuary. It’s one of the few places in the world where humpbacks don’t just pass by but stop to rest, play, socialise, and for mothers to teach their calves.”Ms Cooper said the experience at this destination is “hard to match” and “very different” from the “whale-chasing” that other parts of Australia are able to offer.“Whales come to Hervey Bay to rest, play and interact with each other and with the whale watching boats,” she said, adding the bay’s geography allows the whales to relax rather than just migrate through, which makes the experience longer and more intimate.The cruise company owner said they are very strict about maintaining their distance from the whales, however often the magnificent marine mammals approach their boats and happen to love the colour red.“We know that because they always go up to whoever is wearing red on the boat! It’s fascinating!”Given it’s such a bucket-list activity, Ms Cooper explained it is the combination of extended time with the whales in their natural playground, a genuine eco-focus, and a personal, high-quality experience on a spacious vessel that makes their particular offering so unique. “Many guests tell us it’s not just ‘seeing whales’ but feeling part of something special – and that keeps them coming back or recommending us,” she said.But a visit to Hervey Bay and the surrounding region is about even more than whale watching.“The magic comes from the sheer serenity: turquoise waters, white sands, these incredible humpback whales, and that sense of being in a protected bubble. Beyond the whales, you’ve got K’gari’s rainforests, lakes, and beaches; the Great Sandy Strait; and a laid-back coastal vibe that feels worlds away from busier tourist spots. It’s raw, beautiful, and restorative – perfect for nature lovers.”Aligning perfectly with the whales, and a lengthy list of other reasons to book a trip over winter, Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) has just announced a campaign, That Holiday Feeling Starts Here, positioning the Aussie state as the most appealing place to holiday right now.Want reef swims, rainforest walks, outback adventures and $100 back in your pocket? From 16 June, through to 31 July, the Regional Rewards program is offering $100 off tours and attraction experiences in eligible regions, listed below.Those booking can use the code QLD100 (minimum cart value $200) on eligible experiences with TEQ’s partner, Experience Oz to receive $100 back. The offer is limited to one transaction per person, with limited availability, so get in quick!Included regions• Fraser Coast• Southern Great Barrier Reef (Bundaberg, Gladstone, Capricorn)• Mackay Isaac• Townsville• The Whitsundays• Tropical North Queensland• Outback Queensland• Queensland CountryExcluded regions Gold CoastBrisbaneSunshine CoastExperience examples• Reef cruises• Whale watching tours• Whitsunday sailing• K’gari Explorer Tours• Qantas Founders Museum Travel datesEligible travel dates are from 27 June 2026 to 4 October 2026.Ms Cooper explains the unique confluence of the Great Sandy Strait, K’gari, and Platypus Bay is a World Heritage – influenced zone with rich biodiversity, Indigenous Butchulla cultural connections, and a perfect set up for responsible tourism.“You get world-class marine encounters alongside pristine beaches, wetlands, and a genuine eco-tourism ethos. It’s not just a destination – it’s a place where nature puts on an unforgettable show in a protected, magical setting,” she said.RACQ and Tourism and Events Queensland are partnering to deliver the ‘Regional Rewards’ campaign, helping to boost tourism in regional centres at a challenging time and in doing so, driving a better future for all Queenslanders.