Every year, an epic journey is made by the largest mammals in the ocean. They are headed for a warmer climate that provides the perfect environment for bringing their young into the world.
During the southern winter, whales travel into Australia’s northern coastal waters, leaving behind the icy cold and barren water of the Antarctic.
It may be part of their typical life cycle, but each year thousands of people wait to catch a glimpse of the spectacular whales and their newborn calves.
On the right day, or maybe the right mood, the incredible mammals will put on a show worth waiting for. Almost as if showing off, they splash and throw their larger-than-life bodies around, breaching in the ocean and setting off more cameras than the paparazzi chasing celebrities.
Whale watching has become big business in Australia, with whales easily spotted in many areas, including Stradbroke Island and Hervey Bay in Queensland, Cape Byron and the Sapphire Coast in New South Wales, Point Hicks in Victoria and Storm Bay in Tasmania. All these areas are well travelled by the whales, giving watchers plenty of opportunity to see them in their glory.
Other favourite whale watching spots are the southern and western coasts of Australia – the Ottway Coast in Victoria, the cliffs of the Great Australian Bight and Cape Leeuwin, Shark Bay and Ningaloo in Western Australia.
Melony Robb has worked at whale watching enterprise The Spirit of Hervey Bay for five years. “The sheer size of the whales is amazing in itself,” she says. “Seeing the whales breach is the highlight for many viewers.” She says the feedback from happy clients makes the job rewarding.
From June through November, you can expect to see humpback whales and southern right whales along the eastern coast as they travel north to find food and give birth.
Humpback whales are usually the largest, averaging between 14 and 19 metres long, while southern right whales are between 13 and 18 metres long. Killer whales can also be spotted on the migration path – they are the smallest of the three, between 8 and 9.5 metres long.
“September is a really busy time as it is right in the middle of the season,” explains Ms Robb. “Mothers and calves are about, which everyone is keen to see, and school holidays are usually within this period so it is a great way to spend some family time together.”
Many vessels, including The Spirit of Hervey Bay boats, are fitted with large underwater windows so that the whales can be seen both above and below the water.
The underwater windows give the best view, according to Ms Robb. “It makes you feel like you’re swimming with the giant creatures. Being able to hear their song and view their antics is a natural wonder that should not be missed.”
Cape Byron is one of the premier whale watching locations in Australia, with pods of whales swimming a few kilometres off the coast.
Ironically, before becoming one of the most popular whale watching sites, Cape Byron was actually a whaling town. The whaling ceased in the 1970s to make way for a more tourism-based industry. It has definitely come full circle, with tourists now flocking to the beautiful coast to see the whales.
Whale Watching Byron Bay not only takes people out for a closer look at the whales, but also contributes to humpback conservation by passing location and behavioural data to whale research organisations. Each vessel uses a hydrophone to listen to the “whale song”, turning the natural event into both a spectacular visual and auditory experience.
A truly unique experience for whale watchers during migration season is the sighting of Migaloo, the world-famous all-white humpback whale. Migaloo has been making the journey since 1991 and can still be seen travelling off the eastern coast of Australia.
September school holidays are perfect timing to catch the whales and their calves. There are plenty of whale watching tours to choose from, with prices ranging from $90 to $130, depending on the length of tour. Most companies offer quarter-day, half-day and full-day options with a meal provided.
Be sure to take a good pair of binoculars and camera to capture the memories.
