Freedom is a fun and affordable venue for your next family gathering, corporate event or celebration. Relax aboard our comfortable 60ft catamaran, while the captain and crew sail you through the pristine waters of the Great Sandy Straits Marine Park and K'gari. Accommodating up to 48 guests, Freedom has spacious viewing decks on three levels, comfortable air-conditioned seating in the saloon, an excellent sound system, licensed bar and three toilets and showers. See our webpage for amazing reviews from hundreds of happy guests.

Off-peak banded pricing starts at just $600 per hour with a minimum three-hour booking. This includes an experienced captain and crew. Additional hours can be booked as extras and we can optimise start and end times to take the tides into account. Anchoring (to swim or to stroll on K'Gari western beaches or Pelican Banks), stinger-proof pool, tube-ridespaddleboards and noodles can easily be added to create the perfect day for you and your guests.

Please call us to discuss our catering, which can be tailored to suit your budget. The standard option includes a charcuterie and dessert cup per guest. Different options can be provided to suit your taste and budget. Alternatively, you are welcome to organise your own catering and the galley kitchen, large fridge, freezer and esky make this very easy. Licensing restrictions do not allow BYO alcohol, but we are happy to stock your guests preferred alcoholic and soft drink options in our licensed bar.

Customer service is an important part of our training and ethos. We will do our very best to accommodate any special requests. This might be helping to put up chosen decorations or playing the 'embarrassing' birthday video and you can tailor your soundscape for the trip by bluetoothing your own playlist or booking a small band or DJ.

Entertainment extras include stopping for a swim and snorkel, beach time and using our stinger proof pool to splash about in. Additional crew will be required to supervise these activities.

All captains are fully qualified and experienced. This includes Mark Cooper, owner-operator, who has many years of experience as a captain for fun as well as commercially. He sailed a catamaran from Tahiti and down the East Coast of Australia. He has captained delivery of Sydney to Hobart yachts, and he was on the helm for three exciting Sydney to Hobart races. He has also participated in the gruelling Clipper Round the World yacht race. Safety is his highest priority and during his time as a  skipper for NSW Marine Rescue for the last three years and crew for a further five years, he has rescued many boats and saved lives on the water. 

See separate listing for peak season chartering options - your own private whale-watching experience from mid-July to mid-October!

Book Freedom today!

Our premium offering - charter the whole boat for your own, personal whale-watching experience and you choose who you share it with! Make memories with family and friends - fill it to the max (47) or keep it to a select few. Luxury either way. Book today to secure - available dates are disappearing fast.

Peak banded pricing, non-catered and at full capacity, is equivalent to $120 per head (normally $160 per head). Please email us (andrea@freedomecotours.com.au) to discuss our catering, which can be tailored to suit your budget. Options include freshly baked pizzas from the onboard pizza oven, cold seafood and charcuterie and cheese platters. Alternatively, you are welcome to organise your own catering and the galley kitchen, large fridge, freezer and esky make this very easy. Licensing restrictions do not allow BYO alcohol, but we are happy to stock your guests preferred alcoholic and soft drink options in our licensed bar.

Customer service is an important part of our training and ethos. We will do our very best to accommodate any special requests.

All captains are fully qualified and experienced. This includes Mark Cooper, owner-operator, who has many years of experience as a captain for fun as well as commercially. He sailed a catamaran from Tahiti and down the East Coast of Australia. He has captained delivery of Sydney to Hobart yachts, and he was on the helm for three exciting Sydney to Hobart races. He has also participated in the gruelling Clipper Round the World yacht race. Safety is his highest priority and during his time as a skipper for NSW Marine Rescue for the last three years and crew for a further five years, he has rescued many boats and saved lives on the water. 

See separate listing for off peak season chartering options from mid-July to mid-October which can include swimming, snorkelling and boom-netting - humans not fish!

Make a day of it with Freedom and the whales this winter - Book today to secure - available dates are disappearing fast.

Freedom III departs at 9:30am from Sandy Straits Marina, Buccaneer Road, Urangan and returns after 2.30pm most days from mid October to June. 

The peak season for whale-watching in Hervey Bay is from late July to early October. Mother nature is in charge of whether we will see any whales in the shoulder season of early July and late October.  It is highly unlikely we will see any Humpback whales in the off-peak season from November to June, but we are sure you will have a beautiful day on the water, and we may still encounter minke whales, dolphins, turtles, dugong, rays and sharks.

Cruise the sheltered waters of beautiful Hervey Bay and travel comfortably with us to Round Island, Big Woody Island and Pelican Bank before reaching the widest part of K'gari at Moon Point. From there we cruise to Coongul Beach for morning tea and on to Platypus Bay in time for lunch. Interesting historical and geographical information will be included in the skipper's commentary. Further up the island you will enjoy the sights of the Arch Cliffs, and several creek entrances along the pristine beaches.

Keep a close watch and you may see dugongs, dolphins, dingos, sea birds and turtles. You will definitely experience the natural beauty of this area with its sand banks, estuaries, tree-lined cliffs and beaches.

Freedom Ecotours operate in an environmentally friendly way to ensure both the safety of our marine creatures as well as our guests. Please feel free to bring your reusable coffee cup for hot or cold drinks. Free tea, coffee and filtered water is available all day. Alcoholic and soft drinks are available to purchase from the bar.

Again, whale sightings are not guaranteed on this tour.

Bus transfers are availabe at a nominal extra cost for this tour.

Freedom III has:

• 3 levels of viewing 
• Licenced bar
• Airconditioned saloon when you want a break from the sun
• Low passenger numbers
• Delicious food
• Locally owned and operated with friendly experienced crew
• Eco Accreditation through Ecotourism Australia

• Please Note:
• Child ages are 4-14years, Under 4 are infants
• Select seats on the bus as 'extras' and we will pickup from a Hervey Bay hotel and return you from Sandy Straits Marina - capacity 23 on the bus.

Contact us with any questions andrea@freedomecotours.com.au

Please see our other boat tour and charter options if you are travelling to Hervey Bay at other times of the year. We look forward to meeting you and sharing this beautiful part of the world with you.

Freedom Ecotours operates quality cruises onboard our comfortable and spacious 60ft motor catamaran, Freedom III. Gift a wonderful day out for your friends and family! 

Please redeem the value of this gift voucher when booking online at www.freedom3.com.au and select Book Now.

Freedom Premium 3/4 Day Whale Watching Cruise.

• Available from mid July- mid Oct.
• We spend more time with the whales.
• Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea included.

1) Freedom Twilight -  K'Gari Sunset and Starry Skies Cruise. A beautiful cruise in the Great Sandy Straits and along K'Gari Western Beaches to enjoy the sunset and watch as night falls and the planets and stars appear. Antipasto treats and a licensed bar onboard.

2) Freedom Daydream -  K'Gari cruise, swim, stroll, relax.... a 5 hour cruise including lunch, anchoring off a beautiful tree-lined K'Gari beach for guests to swim in the sea or our swimming pool, use the paddle boards or stroll and relax on K'Gari.

3) Freedom Heritage and Horizons - Mary River Cruise.

• Operates most Thursdays to coincide with the bustling Maryborough markets and the following options can be selected:
• a) Courtesy bus from Hervey Bay to Maryborough, time to spend at the markets, museums and cafes with a relaxing 2.5 hours Mary River Cruise departure at 12pm to complete the trip. Lunch served onboard.
• b) A relaxing, 2.5 hour Mary River Cruise cruise, from Hervey Bay (Urangan Harbour) to Maryborough with breakfast served onboard. Ttime to spend in Maryborough to have lucj and visit the museums, courtesy bus return to Hervey Bay.
• c) A full day of cruising from Hervey Bay to Maryborough and back. Breakfast and lunch served onboard.

Freedom departs daily at 9:30 am from Great Sandy Straits Marina on Buccaneer Road, Urangan, and returns after 3:30 pm, from early July to early October. This period marks the peak whale-watching season in Hervey Bay, the renowned whale-watching capital of Australia. We feel privileged to take our guests to the the pristine Platypus Bay, where hundreds of humpback whales gather each year to rest and play. It is world renowned and the first location accredited by Whale Heritage Site by the World Cetacean Alliance, recognized globally for its unique whale-watching opportunities. 

Our guests often experience the thrill of curious humpback whales approaching the boat, sometimes even waving back at them! We also respectfully observe the whales from the proper distance, marveling at their natural behaviors, including pec-slapping, rolling, and the awe-inspiring sight of breaching.

Join us on Freedom as we cruise the calm, sheltered waters of Hervey Bay to Platypus Bay near K'Gari (Fraser Island) and the Great Sandy Marine Park. This area serves as a playground for humpback whales as they journey south to Antarctic waters. Our expert skipper and crew provide informative and engaging commentary about whale behavior throughout the tour. We guarantee whale sightings and guests are interested to learn about the changes in the population during the season. In July, playful juvenile whales are the first to arrive, followed by the larger adults in August, giving visitors an appreciation for the whales’ majestic size. During September and into October, mothers and calves make their appearance, creating unforgettable memories that showcase why Hervey Bay stands out as a premier whale-watching destination.

We’re proud of our outstanding reviews, especially the compliments about our onboard dining. We serve morning tea, a delicious lunch and afternoon tea, offering a point of difference on our cruise. We aim to create a relaxing, memorable experience, knowing many guests have traveled far for this bucket-list adventure. With only one trip per day, we can take our time, allowing for an unhurried experience with plenty of opportunities to admire the whales and breathtaking scenery. Guests can enjoy complimentary tea, coffee, and filtered water throughout the day, with additional snacks and drinks available for purchase at our licensed bar. Freedom has three toilets, a comfortable air-conditioned saloon and plenty of room to move around the boat to see the whales wherever they pop-up!

Along with multiple whale sightings, you may also encounter dolphins, turtles, and sea birds, all against the stunning backdrop of K'Gari’s western beaches. Freedom Ecotours operates with a strong commitment to environmental responsibility, ensuring the safety and well-being of both our marine creatures and our valued guests.

Freedom has

• 3 levels of viewing plus a water level platform for really close encounters
• Hydrophone for hearing the whale song
• Low passenger numbers
• Delicious food
• Locally owned and operated with friendly experienced crew
• Eco Accreditation through Ecotourism Australia
• Please Note:Infants are under 4 years of age, children are 4-14 years and students 14-18. 
• Select seats on the courtesy bus as 'extras' and we will pick up from a Hervey Bay hotel and return you from Great Sandy Straits Marina - capacity 23 on the bus so book early to secure your spot.

Please see our other boat tour and charter options if you are travelling to Hervey Bay at other times of the year. We look forward to meeting you and sharing this beautiful part of the world with you.