The beach in winter is home to some very VIW (very important whales) and is the perfect time to try to catch a glimpse of these magnificent creatures.
With 30 species of whale found in Australian waters, including nine baleen whales and 21 toothed whales, Australia is an ideal destination for a whale watching tour.
But the most popular whales to see are humpbacks and southern right whales – humpbacks migrate north between May and July and return south between September and November while
southern right whales head north between June and September, and head back south between September and late October.
You can also see blue, mink, sperm, beaked and long-filled pilot whales and even orcas (killer whales).
In Australia, you can see several types of whales:
- Humpback whale: Known for their acrobatic breaches and complex songs, these whales migrate along Australia’s coastlines to breed and give birth in warmer waters.
- Southern right whale: Easily recognizable by the callosities on their heads, these whales are often seen close to shore, where they come to breed and nurse their young.
- Blue whale: The largest animal on Earth, blue whales are occasionally spotted in Australian waters, particularly off the southern coast, feeding on krill.
- Minke whale: Smaller and more elusive, minke whales can be found in both tropical and polar regions of Australia, often seen during their migratory journeys. Only discovered in the mid-1980s the Dwarf Minke Whale’s migration through the Great Barrier Reef is astonishingly the only known predictable aggregation in the world. Spending most of their adult lives pregnant, female Dwarf Minke Whales give birth to a single calf each year. With a gestational period of 10 months, the young are born the size of a baby giraffe.
- Orca (killer whale): Known for their distinctive black-and-white colouring and complex social structures, orcas are sometimes seen hunting in Australian waters, especially around Bremer Bay.
- Sperm whale: The largest of the toothed whales, sperm whales are famous for their deep diving abilities and are often seen off the continental shelf, especially in areas like the Great Australian Bight.
- Long-finned pilot whale: These social whales travel in large pods and are frequently sighted in deeper offshore waters around Australia.
- Beaked whale: Rare and elusive, the deep-diving beaked whales are occasionally observed in Australian waters, notable for their beak-like snouts and elusive nature.
Tips for Whale Watching
- Pick a reputable tour operator: Ensure your tour operator is experienced, has good reviews, and follows responsible whale-watching guidelines to ensure minimal disturbance to the whales.
- Dress appropriately: Wear layered clothing to stay warm and bring waterproof gear, as conditions on the water can be cooler and wetter than on land. Even on cloudy days, the reflection off the water can cause sunburn. Wear sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses.
- Bring binoculars: Binoculars can enhance your viewing experience, allowing you to see distant whales up close without disturbing them.
- Use a camera with a zoom lens: If you want to take photos, a camera with a good zoom lens will help capture distant whale activity without the need for a close approach.
- Stay patient and alert: Whales can be unpredictable. Be prepared to wait and stay attentive to the water’s surface for signs of whale activity, such as spouts, breaches, or tail flukes.
- Limit your expectations: While whale watching can be an incredible experience, remember that sightings are not guaranteed. Enjoy the entire marine environment and other wildlife you might see.
- Respect the whales: Maintain a respectful distance and minimise noise to avoid disturbing the whales. Responsible whale-watching practices ensure these magnificent creatures remain undisturbed and protected.
QUEENSLAND
Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef, one of the world’s most renowned marine environments, also serves as a prime whale-watching destination.
Literally thousands of whales converge on these waters, ensuring it’s easy to grab a glimpse.
From June to November, both humpback whales and dwarf minke whales can be seen migrating through these waters.
The reef’s diverse marine ecosystem provides a rich feeding ground, attracting whales closer to the shore.
Whitsundays
Between June and September is prime whale season at the Whitsunday Islands.
You can see the highly social short-finned pilot whales frolicking, sharing the region with humpbacks, who calve in the nursery grounds of the shallow, protected waters.
The calm, clear waters provide excellent visibility, allowing visitors to witness the whales’ playful behaviours, including breaching, tail slapping, and spy hopping.
Migaloo, an albino humpback, has been seen on occasion in the waters of tropical north Queensland.
The elusive female dwarf minke whale also passes through the protected waters of the Whitsunday Islands from June until October.
Hervey Bay
Your chances of scoring a sighting at Hervey Bay, across from K’gari (Fraser Island) are pretty high. It is the world’s first Whale Heritage Site, after all.
The whales begin to arrive from mid-July and remain until late November before heading south again.
Due to the sheltered waters, they often rest or play with their young, frolicking and launching themselves spectacularly into the air as they teach their young the tricks of the trade.
NEW SOUTH WALES
Eden
The “Humpback Highway” of Twofold Bay needs to be number one on your list. It’s named as so numbered are the humpback whales that swim through here en route home to Antarctica each year.
Staying close to shore with their calves, they can be seen from a number of land-based vantage points.
You’ll spy plenty of these mighty creatures between September and November, while pods of baleen and toothed whales make their own similar journeys in early spring.
Take the self-drive Killer Whale Trail – past Eden Lookout, Davidson Whaling Station and Boyds Tower.
The town’s annual whale festival takes place at the end of October, and the killer whale museum provides insight into the areas’ whaling history.
Jervis Bay
Jervis Bay is known to be a favourite pitstop for humpback and southern right whales as it sits about halfway along the annual 5000km migration route.
Prime viewing spots include Penguin Head at Culburra, the viewing platform at Cape St George Lighthouse in the Booderee National Park and the Point Perpendicular Lighthouse — where a lookout towers 90 metres above sea level.
Narooma
Whales generally migrate past Narooma heading north in June and July. However, from September to November, there’s a near-guaranteed opportunity to witness a spectacular display of these giants.
Montague Island’s surrounding waters become a favoured gathering spot during this period, offering exceptional whale-watching experiences.
VICTORIA
Warrnambool
Located at the end of the Great Ocean Road, scores of female southern right whales descend on the waters of Logans Beach at Warrnambool to calve between June and September.
The whales often swim within a hundred metres of the shore. They can be viewed from a specially constructed platform in the sand dunes or from the beach.
A dedicated platform located in the dunes often offers the best vantage point for views of this “whale nursery” and you can call ahead to the Visitor Information Centre to check up on any recent activity before you visit.
Wilsons Promontory
From August to October, southern right whales and humpback whales can often be seen travelling along the coastline as they head to warmer northern waters to breed and give birth.
The rugged cliffs and pristine beaches of Wilsons Promontory, such as Norman Beach and Picnic Bay, provide excellent viewing spots.
Phillip Island
From late May to September, you can discover these beautiful majestic creatures along the coastline of Phillip Island and Bass Coast, with the peak whale season being June and July.
Follow the Whale Discovery Trail.
Top spots on Phillip Island include The Nobbies, Cape Woolamai, Pyramid Rock, Cowes, Grossard Point (Ventnor) and Summerland.
Off Phillip Island, the George Bass Coastal Walk, Kilcunda and Inverloch all offer great vantage points as well.
TASMANIA
You’ve got double the chance to see whales in Tassie – early when they migrate north and then later on when they come back down south again.
Bruny Island
Sightings are most common in Adventure Bay on South Bruny, where some whales take shelter for up to five weeks.
Several other whale species visit the region on occasion, including killer whales, pygmy right whales and minke whales.
Great Oyster Bay
Great Oyster Bay is one of the most scenic stretches of water in Australia, boasting gorgeous views, sheltered waters and small isolated beaches. It’s a perfect spot to see humpback and southern right whales as they migrate north and then south again.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Victor Harbor
The popular South Australian seaside town Victor Harbour attracts southern right whales during July and August. Humpbacks, sperm whales, orcas (killer whales) and blue whales are known to swim close to the shore.
Drop by the South Australian Whale Centre to learn about the history of whaling and see interactive exhibits.
There’s a couple of spots to check out:
- The top of the cliffs at The Bluff
- Stop past Nakurami Kondoli, the whale lookout at Encounter Bay
- Basham Beach at Middleton
- Frenchman’s Lookout at Port Elliot
Great Australian Bight Marine Park
The Great Australian Bight Marine Park, which covers 45,822 square kilometres, protects a calving and gathering area for endangered southern right whales.
The Head of Bight is the most prominent viewing section of the park and you can see the whales from jaw-dropping cliff tops between May and October, when they mate, calve and nurse their young.
You can also see other whale species, marine animals like dolphins, great white sharks and Australian sea lions here too.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Bremer Canyon
The marine hotspot Bremer Canyon, about 70km offshore from Bremer Bay in a tour boat, is the place to go if you want to see killer whales.
You can see killer whale pods regularly congregating here along with giant squid, sperm whales, beaked whales, dolphins and blue sharks.
Albany
Both humpback and southern right whales are regular visitors to Albany every year.
You can see the acrobatic humpbacks from June to August and the southern right whales from August to October.
There’s plenty of spots at Albany to see these gorgeous creatures:
- Ellen Cove Boardwalk
- Discovery Bay
- Marine Drive lookouts
- Cheynes Beach
- Camp Quaranup
- Gull Rock
- Bald Head
- Middleton Beach
But that’s not all – if you’re really into history, visit the Historic Whaling Station located on the picturesque southern coast of King George Sound.
The Cheynes Beach Whaling Company was the last to cease operations in Australia in 1978. It’s now home to an interactive museum on whales and whaling.
Geographe Bay
There’s plenty of variety to see at Geographe Bay in the south-west Australian waters. During October-November pygmy blue whales and their calves can be sighted.
Southern right whales, humpbacks and minke whales can also be seen here.