QUEENSLAND

Hervey Bay (pronounced /ˈhɑrvi ˈbeɪ/) is a city in Queensland, Australia. Hervey Bay is situated approximately 3½ hours drive North of Brisbane, via the Bruce Highway and 30 minutes drive north-east of Maryborough. The city is serviced by the high speed Tilt Train which has connections from Maryborough West or nearby Howard. Further, by the Hervey Bay Airport, with direct flights from Brisbane (QantasLink) and Sydney (Virgin Blue).

Hervey Bay is located approximately 290 kilometres (180 mi) North of the state capital, Brisbane, and lies on the coast of a natural bay between the Queensland mainland and nearby Fraser Island. Hervey Bay is the stepping stone to Fraser Island.

Hervey Bay's local economy relies on tourism, for which whale watching, Fraser Island and Lady Elliot Island and Hervey Bay's calm beaches are the major drawcards. It is one of the fastest growing cities in Australia.

Brisbane (pronounced /ˈbrɪzbən/) is the state capital of the Australian state of Queensland and is the largest city in that state. The statistical division of Brisbane has an estimated population of approximately 2 million, along with its LGA registering a bit over a million, it is also the third most populous city in Australia.

Brisbane is situated on the Brisbane River (for which it was named) in southeastern Queensland on a low-lying floodplain between Moreton Bay and the Great Dividing Range. The city of Brisbane is hilly. The urban area, including the central business district, are partially elevated by spurs of the Herbert Taylor Range, such as the summit of Mount Coot-tha, reaching up to 300 metres (980 ft) and the smaller Enoggera Hill. Other prominent rises in Brisbane are Mount Gravatt and nearby Toohey Mountain. Mount Petrie at 170 metres (560 ft) and the lower rises of Highgate Hill, Mount Ommaney, Stephens Mountain and Whites Hill are dotted across the city.