By Sophie Colvin
Posted
There are few sights in nature more spectacular than a whale breaching, and the Australian coastline offers plenty of spots to view these giants of the oceans.
Recommended whale watching distances
Allowable vessels should not get closer than 100 metres to an adult whale and not approach it from in front or behind them.
Allowable vessels include motorised, paddle and sail craft such as motorboats, yachts, kayaks, canoes, surf skis and inflatable crafts.
For whales with calves, allowable vessels should not get closer than 300 metres and not approach from in front or behind the mother or calf.
Personal motorised watercraft, including jet skis, underwater scooters, parasails, remotely operated craft (drones), wing-in-ground effect craft and hovercraft should not get closer than 300 metres to any whale or dolphin.
Australia is lucky enough to be a migratory destination for several whale species as they migrate north to give birth and raise their calves for the first few months of their lives, before returning south to the southern ocean.
Our whale watching season begins in late May and runs right through until the end of November.
Humpback whales travel the extent of both the east and west coasts of Australia, while southern right whales favour the area around the Great Australian Bight.
The ABC Open audience has shared their favourite spots to whale watch, so with whale watching season in full swing we have rounded up your best suggestions.
Remember to always keep a safe distance from whales and other sea life.
Sydney Harbour, NSW
Sydney’s extensive coastline means the region has plenty of vantage points to spot migrating humpback and southern right whales from May until late October.
Cape Solander in Kamay Botany Bay National Park has a public viewing platform, while the iconic walking track from Bondi to Coogee and Clovelly Beach both offer fantastic opportunities to spot whales.
If you head north across the harbour to Manly, the North Head lookout provides another top-notch location.
Coffs Harbour, NSW
Migrating humpback whales can often be seen relatively close to Coffs Harbour on the north coast of New South Wales as they travel north and again on their return trip south, meaning the region has a continuous season from early June until late October.
There are swim and charter boat tour options, but the mammals can also often be spotted from the coast.
Eden, NSW
Eden is in the South Coast region of NSW and is one of the few places in the world that humpback whales feed on their southern migration.
Thanks to the meeting of currents from the north and south, the waters in and around Twofold Bay are rich with nutrients, encouraging many species of whale and dolphin to stop and feed through spring.
You are often able to spot whales from the shore during whale season — listen for the whale siren from the Eden Killer Whale Museum, which signals when there is a whale in the bay.
Phillip Island, Vic
From May to October, humpback whales and southern right whales can be seen right along the Victorian coastline, and Phillip Island has several shore-based vantage points where you are most likely to spot whales.
Take a pair of binoculars and head to The Nobbies, Pyramid Rock or Cape Woolamai to try your luck.
There is a good chance you might also see dolphins, fur seals, and the occasional impressive albatross.
Fowlers Bay, SA
Southern right whales have returned to the winter waters around Fowlers Bay on South Australia’s west coast after avoiding the area for a century because a whaling station was set up in the area.
They can be seen from the coast, or from a charter boat.
Bremer Bay, WA
The south coast of Western Australia is rich with sea life and at various times of the year orcas, blue whales, humpback whales, and pilot whales can all be spotted.
Orcas visit the waters of Bremer Bay from January to March, and if you head further west to Augusta, there is a good chance you will be able to spot humpbacks and southern right whales in the winter months.
Exmouth, WA
While the Ningaloo Reef is best known for its whale sharks, plenty of humpback whales frequent the area during migration between May and November as they make their way north.
The whales tend to hug the coast as they migrate, meaning there are plenty of spots to view them from the shore.
Exmouth is an ideal place to get a glimpse either from the coast, or with a charter tour boat.
Mackay, Qld
A large number of whales grace the waters around Mackay in Central Queensland’s between June and November.
Lamberts Beach lookout offers a good vantage point, but if you are prepared to drive there are several other watching spots worth the trip.
Campwin Beach lookout, north-east of Sarina, and the Cape Hillsborough lookout, 50 kilometres north-west of Mackay, are both good options.
Gold Coast, Qld
Queensland’s Gold Coast is central to the migratory route for whales, so it is an ideal place to see the graceful mammals for the whole of the season as whales heading north will often be passing whales returning south.
If you head south to Tweed Heads, you can make the most of the lookout at Point Danger — migrating whales often swim close to the shore here, so it is a great vantage point.
Whitehaven Beach, Qld
From June to September, whales are a common sight in the Queensland’s Whitsundays as they choose the warm, calm, protected waters to give birth to their calves.
Humpback and pilot whales are the most common species sighted, and Migaloo — the white humpback whale — has also been seen in the Whitsundays for the last few years.
Topics: animals, tourism, travel-and-tourism, mammals—whales, environment, oceans-and-reefs, sydney-2000, coffs-harbour-2450, eden-2551, bremer-bay-6338, rhyll-3923, exmouth-6707, mackay-4740
