The Bayswater Bar & Grill, located on Charlton Esplanade in Urangan, is a landmark venue with a story deeply tied to Hervey Bay’s identity as one of Queensland’s most picturesque coastal towns. 

The building has long been a gathering place for locals and visitors, with its oceanfront position offering sweeping views across to K’gari (Fraser Island). In 2017, the venue underwent what the Courier Mail described as a “whirlwind renovation” under the ownership of the Hervey Bay RSL. For eight years, the RSL operated the venue with a focus on hospitality and community. 

A Bay with History 

Hervey Bay itself carries a rich heritage. It was named in 1770 by Captain James Cook in honour of Lord Augustus Hervey, then Britain’s First Lord of the Admiralty. Cook mistook K’gari as part of the mainland, with more accurate surveys later produced by Matthew Flinders in 1802. By the early 20th century, the bay was emerging as a sought-after holiday destination, thanks to its calm waters, natural beauty, and proximity to K’gari. 

Tourism has since become the lifeblood of the region, with Hervey Bay achieving global recognition as the world’s first Whale Heritage Site in 2019. Commercial whale watching first began here in 1987, cementing the bay as a premier destination for marine tourism. Today, thousands of visitors travel to the Fraser Coast each year for its whale encounters, pristine beaches, and heritage attractions. 

A Pier into the Past 

The Bayswater Bar & Grill also sits close to the iconic Urangan Pier, built between 1913 and 1917. Once a bustling deep-water facility for exporting sugar, timber and coal, the pier now stretches nearly one kilometre into the ocean and has become one of Hervey Bay’s most recognisable landmarks. 

The Bayswater Today 

While Bayswater honours its past, it continues to evolve. With views over the water, a menu highlighting fresh Queensland seafood, and a location just minutes from K’gari and the Urangan Pier, the venue remains an integral part of Hervey Bay’s hospitality scene – a place where history and coastal lifestyle meet.