Where are the best places for whale watching in Australia?

With over 25 thousand kilometres of coastline, there are bountiful opportunities to spot whales in Australia.

So where are the best places to see these fascinating marine mammals and when should you go?

The waters of Australia offer plenty of opportunities throughout the year to observe whales as they migrate along the coast of the country during their annual migration. Travelling from Antarctica, the whales will follow their food to the warmer waters over the winter months as far north as the Kimberley and Great Barrier Reef. After the females give birth and prepare their young, the whales return to the Antarctic waters where they spend the summer months.

There are plenty of places to view whales along the Aussie coast, but their presence is seasonal so check when they are usually in the area before you plan your trip. Many coastal towns offer lookout points and viewing platforms to view whales from the shore, or enjoy a whale watching tour for an up close encounter.

Port Stephens

When: May – November
Migrating humpback and southern right whales can often be spotted from vantage points on the mainland including from the Tomaree Head summit and the whale-watching platform at Fingal Bay Beach. If you are after a closer experience, whale-watching tours depart from Nelson Bay, and day tours to Port Stephens from Sydney offer this as an optional extra during the whale-watching season. Bottle-nosed dolphins also inhabit the region year-round.

Moreton Island

When: June – October
Moreton Island, close to Brisbane, sits smack bang in the middle of the Humpback Highway, the migration path taken by the whale on their journey up and down the Australian coast. Enjoy a day trip from Brisbane to the island and include a three-hour boat cruise to observe humpback whales as they play in the warm Queensland waters. Last year over 1000 whales were spotted during the season from June – October.

Hervey Bay

When: July – October
Heading another 300 kilometres north of Brisbane and close to Fraser Island, you’ll find a town that’s home to the Hervey Bay Whale Festival. While whales can be spotted here from around July – October every year, visit during July and August to join in the festivities celebrating the marine mammals.

Esperance

When: May – December
Set on the Bay of Isles, Esperance offers opportunities to view whales from the mainland as they take shelter in the calm waters close of the bay. Lookout points along the coast offer great vantage points to spot humpback whales as they play in the water. Mothers will often use the sheltered water to give birth, so you may even be lucky enough to spot a calf with its mum.

Exmouth

When: July – November
Exmouth offers visitors not only a chance to spot humpback whales, but also to swim with them. Tours operate out of the town, and neighbouring Coral Bay, which allow snorkellers to swim within 30 metres of the gigantic marine mammals for an unforgettable experience.

Warrnambool

When: June – September
Travel to the end of the Great Ocean Road and arrive at the town of Warrnambool for amazing whale watching opportunities during the winter months. Here, southern right whales take advantage of the calm waters of Logans Beach to give birth to their calves. Whales can be observed in the ‘whale nursery’ from the viewing platforms on the shore, and often come within a hundred metres of shore.

Recommended Australia Tours: 1 Day Moreton Island Tour
Price: $99