Tin Can Bay Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Miles of magnificent waterways are the main draw for this town on the Great Sandy Strait, where you can find adventures on the water and try fresh seafood.

Explore the varied coastline and myriad estuaries and rivers that characterize the town of Tin Can Bay. Take in the town’s coastal views when you stroll, sail, kayak or dine at a waterfront restaurant. Go cruising in a houseboat or experience a thrilling sail around the bay. Meet dolphins, dugongs and turtles as you explore protected marine parks. With its laid-back atmosphere, great dining, enchanting wildlife and connections to some of the best aquatic adventures on the Great Sandy Strait, Tin Can Bay is an idyllic family vacation destination.

Take a walk around the town via the scenic foreshore pathway that runs alongside the Esplanade. Much of the town is spread across a small promontory that curves northeast into the strait. On the north side, you’ll find the Marina and moorings in Griffin Creek, while the south side features sweeping sand flats looking out toward Cooloola. Take the kids for a swim at the Tin Can Bay Swimming Pool. An unforgettable hands-on experience awaits at the Barnacles Dolphin Centre. Rare Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins regularly arrive to the Norman Point boat ramp.

Keen birdwatchers will delight in the 137 species of birds that live in or migrate to Tin Can Bay. See rare shorebirds on a stopover from Siberia or spot seabirds circling overhead.

Whether you’d like a sporty yacht, a houseboat cruiser or a kayak, you’ll find the right watercraft for your vacation at the rental operators in Tin Can Bay. Kayak through Snapper Creek and Crab Creek or go for a sail around the many bays and inlets around the town. Weave through the mangroves, spot dugongs or cast a fishing line. Make sure you are outside of the Great Sandy Marine Park before hooking your dinner. Visit in September to attend the Tin Can Bay Seafood Festival and experience the town’s fantastic seafood at a fun and family-friendly event.

Tin Can Bay is situated between the Gympie and Fraser Coast regions in Southeast Queensland. It is about a 3-hour drive north from Brisbane. The airport in Hervey Bay is a 90-minute drive away. Tin Can Bay is a year-round destination with comfortable waterfront hotels, houseboats and campgrounds.

Tin Can Bay's Sleepy Lagoon Motel
Tin Can Bay's Sleepy Lagoon Motel
3 out of 5
2 Groper Street, Tin Can Bay, QLD
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$153 per night from 30 Mar to 31 Mar
AU$153
includes taxes & fees
30 Mar - 31 Mar
Stay at this 3-star motel in Tin Can Bay. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (566 reviews)
"Fantastic place, friendly helpful staff. Steve & Ryan were lovely to deal with and even a late arrival wasn’t an issue"

Reviewed on 22 Mar. 2025

Tin Can Bay's Sleepy Lagoon Motel
Dolphin Waters Tin Can Bay
Dolphin Waters Tin Can Bay
3.5 out of 5
40-41 The Esplanade, Tin Can Bay, QLD
The price is AU$208 per night from 2 Apr to 3 Apr
AU$208
includes taxes & fees
2 Apr - 3 Apr
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in Tin Can Bay. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Rainbow Beach and Phil Rogers Park are located ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (223 reviews)
"Nice tidy unit with a good view , front door lock needed attention and the fan in our bedroom also needed looking at . Overall nice , and peaceful."

Reviewed on 22 Mar. 2025

Dolphin Waters Tin Can Bay
Welcome to "Bay 13" The Perfect Family Retreat with Inground Pool
Welcome to "Bay 13" The Perfect Family Retreat with Inground Pool
Gympie
Stay at this vacation home in Tin Can Bay. Enjoy free WiFi, private pools, and a garden. Popular attractions Pipeclay National Park and Rainbow Beach are located ...
Welcome to "Bay 13" The Perfect Family Retreat with Inground Pool
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Dolphin Waters Tin Can Bay
Dolphin Waters Tin Can Bay
3.5 out of 5
40-41 The Esplanade, Tin Can Bay, QLD
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in Tin Can Bay. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Rainbow Beach and Phil Rogers Park are located ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (223 reviews)
"Nice tidy unit with a good view , front door lock needed attention and the fan in our bedroom also needed looking at . Overall nice , and peaceful."

Reviewed on 22 Mar. 2025

Dolphin Waters Tin Can Bay
Welcome to "Bay 13" The Perfect Family Retreat with Inground Pool
Welcome to "Bay 13" The Perfect Family Retreat with Inground Pool
Gympie
Stay at this vacation home in Tin Can Bay. Enjoy free WiFi, private pools, and a garden. Popular attractions Pipeclay National Park and Rainbow Beach are located ...
Welcome to "Bay 13" The Perfect Family Retreat with Inground Pool
 Exceptional modern three bedroom townhouse with water on both sides.
Exceptional modern three bedroom townhouse with water on both sides.
Tin Can Bay
Stay at this vacation home in Tin Can Bay. Enjoy balconies, in-room jetted tubs, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Rainbow Beach and Phil Rogers ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (22 reviews)
Great location
"Property was good size and great location for Dolphin feeding"

Reviewed on 3 Mar. 2025

Exceptional modern three bedroom townhouse with water on both sides.
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Reviews of Tin Can Bay

4.5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
23
5 - Excellent 58%
4 - Good
14
4 - Good 35%
3 - Okay
3
3 - Okay 8%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

I enjoyed Tin Can Bay. It was very quiet, great atmosphere. I enjoyed fish and chips and feeding the dolphins in the morning.

4/5 - Good

Cate

Fresh locally caught seafood at reasonable prices. Great family location.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Dolphin feeding experience didn't really have the WOW factor, but breaky at Barnacles Dolphin Centre was yummy. Margo at the boat hire centre was very friendly & helpful, would recommend this as a great experience for a family.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Great base for a night before your Fraser trip or after your fraser trip

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

The wild dolphin feeding was wonderful.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Pretty little town on the water, with a grocery store and quite a few options for dining out or getting takeaway.

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