Six great whale watching spots in Australia

Six great whale watching spots in Australia

AUSTRALIA’S whale watching season mostly runs during the second half of the year and with the tipping point of the year fast approaching there’s no better time to plan your whale watching experience in advance.

Whilst boat tours provide more options to explore offshore in many cases you can spot whales from the mainland as they make their annual journey northwards or back down south. It’s a spectacular sight of nature, one not to be missed.

Humpback and southern right whales are most commonly spotted migrating up and down Australia’s east and west coasts each year as they search for warmer waters and places to breed. Here’s some of the best spots in Australia for whale watching.

Cape Byron, New South Wales

Australia’s most easterly point, Byron Bay, is perfect for whale watching. Volunteers at the Cape Byron Lighthouse will answer all your questions about whales before you can head to the areas beaches where you can spot breaching humpbacks.

Hervey Bay, Queensland

From mid-July to November, Harvey Bay is a wonderful spot for people on the mainland to watch whales migrating southwards. While travelling through the Great Barrier Reef region many humpbacks and their calves stop at Hervey Bay for a few days on their return trip.

Adventure Bay, Tasmania

From May to July or between September and December, you can see humpback and southern right whales travelling through the clear waters surrounding Tasmania’s Bruny Island. In Adventure Bay, on the beautiful Bruny Island, whale sightings are common during this period and some even stay in the picturesque bay for several weeks.

Great Australian Bight Marine Park, South Australia

The Great Australian Bight Marine Park is definitely one of the best locations to spot whales during migration, with nearly one-third of Australia’s southern right whales born in these waters. With incredible cliff-top views, you’ll spot these magnificent animals close to shore between May and October each year.

Cape Naturaliste, Western Australia

Relax on the beach or explore the waters of the stunning Geographe Bay. Either way, you’re bound to spot whales between September and December, when they pass through the area. Spectacular views await from the balcony of the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse, an ideal place to spot whales.

Logans Beach, Victoria

Many tourists flock to Warrnambool in the winter months with the hope of spotting whales not far from the mainland. Female whales regularly give birth around Logans Beach between June and Septembercoming up as close as a few hundred metres from land, where people can watch from special viewing platforms.

Brianna Piazza

Brianna Piazza

Brianna Piazza is an Australian television reporter and part-time travel blogger. Originally from Melbourne, she's currently living in Cairns where she works for WIN News and spends her weekends exploring the outdoors Far North Queensland.

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