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 characterise 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 holiday 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 holiday 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
The price is NZ$160 per night from 8 Oct to 9 Oct
NZ$160
8 Oct - 9 Oct
includes taxes & fees
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! (586 reviews)
Great place
"Loved the place very nice"

Reviewed on 21 Sept 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
Fully refundable
The price is NZ$219 per night from 13 Oct to 14 Oct
NZ$219
13 Oct - 14 Oct
includes taxes & fees
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! (231 reviews)
"Super friendly owner at the desk. Nice little spot for the price, however, the rooms were a little dated but still suffice."

Reviewed on 29 Aug 2025

Dolphin Waters Tin Can Bay
Tin Can Bay Tourist Park

Tin Can Bay Tourist Park

3.5 out of 5
54-74 Trevally Street, Tin Can Bay, QLD
The price is NZ$288 per night from 19 Oct to 20 Oct
NZ$288
19 Oct - 20 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star holiday park in Tin Can Bay. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Pipeclay National Park and Rainbow ...
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Reviewed on 1 Nov 2024

Tin Can Bay Tourist Park
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! (231 reviews)
"Super friendly owner at the desk. Nice little spot for the price, however, the rooms were a little dated but still suffice."

Reviewed on 29 Aug 2025

Dolphin Waters Tin Can Bay
 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 laundry facilities, balconies, and in-room jetted tubs. Popular attractions Rainbow Beach and Phil Rogers Park ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (31 reviews)
Amazing Location
"Amazing LocationOwners were very responsive to anything raisedVery quite locationWalking Distance to Dolphins, Restaurant & fish n chips"

Reviewed on 14 July 2025

Exceptional modern three bedroom townhouse with water on both sides.
Family getaway on the waterfront of Tin Can Bay

Family getaway on the waterfront of Tin Can Bay

Tin Can Bay
Stay at this apartment in Tin Can Bay. Enjoy a garden, laundry facilities, and air conditioning. Popular attractions Pipeclay National Park and Rainbow Beach ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (13 reviews)
"Fantastic quiet water front location. Great for fishing and kayak."

Reviewed on 13 Apr 2025

Family getaway on the waterfront of Tin Can Bay
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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