WHEN it comes to whale watching, Australia’s pretty lucky. There are at least 45 species of whales, dolphins and porpoises found in our waters. Beaches and headlands provide plenty of opportunities to observe these denizens of the sea. Here are three of the finest vantage points.
Port Macquarie: Stretching from Forster to Nambucca Heads, the Port Macquarie coast makes for the perfect holiday to watch migrating whales.
Perpendicular Point in Kattang Nature Reserve near Taree offers breathtaking views and an incredible outlook for whale spotting.
Just outside South West Rocks, Arakoon National Park also provides great picnic and camping spots near the historic Trial Bay Gaol, and plenty of rocky foreshores to spot passing cetaceans.
In the south near Forster, Booti Booti National Park has many stunning lookouts like Cape Hawke, offering great vantage points to see lively dolphins and breaching whales.
Coffs Coast: Discover pristine beaches, unbeatable surf and tremendous opportunities to see whales from land and seat.
Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve next to Coffs Harbour Marina is a great whale watching vantage point.
Coffs Coast Regional Park, where Woolgoolga Headland is the highlight, has easy vehicle access and extensive views.
Be sure to take your binoculars for up-close views of these amazing creatures.
You could even try to spot a whale from the air on a helicopter tour with Precision Helicopters while enjoying magnificent coastal and hinterland scenery.
Byron Bay: On the far north coast this area offers some of the best whale viewing in the country.
Stretching from Tweed Heads to Yamba, this beautiful coastline has countless magnificent headlands and lookouts.
Head to the historic Cape Byron Lighthouse, where volunteers will help you learn more about whales.
Grab a coffee and enjoy breathtaking views or wander along the Cape Byron walking track to see breaching humpbacks along the way.
Alternatively, get up close to some of the most awe-inspiring marine life on Earth and kayak with dolphins and turtles on a guided sea kayak tour. Be amazed by the whales as they pass gracefully by.
A short drive away, Broken Head Nature Reserve also offers excellent whale watching opportunities.
The short walk to the Three Sisters not only takes you to a fantastic whale watching location but it is a place of significant Aboriginal cultural heritage.
Another great vantage point is Iluka Bluff lookout near Evans Head, also a great place to picnic.
- Wild About Whales, www.wildaboutwhales.com.au
Waiting for Migaloo...
When it comes to whale watching, Australia’s pretty lucky. There are at least 45 species of whales, dolphins and porpoises found in our waters. Beaches and headlands provide plenty of opportunities to observe these denizens of the sea. Here are three of the finest vantage points.
With reports of the first whales being spotted off the Mid North Coast in May, the 2017 whale season has well and truly kicked off.
Port Macquarie whale watching business owner Anthony Heeney recently told Fairfax Media the whales can be spotted consistently, especially during June.
The most famous of them all is Migaloo, an albino humpback believed to be the only known all-white whale in the world when he was first sighted in 1991.
Since then Migaloo’s travels along the eastern coast have been well documented – he even has an organisation dedicated to him, the White Whale Research Centre, which tracks and records his movements.
As he migrates up the east coast from Antarctica to the warmer waters of tropical North Queensland, his distinctive colouring allows people to report sightings.
Mr Heeney said there is every chance Migaloo could make an appearance this season.
“He definitely stands out when he is around,” he said.
People can expect to see mainly humpbacks and possibly killer and southern right whales.
“We’re very lucky in Port to see the whales without having to travel very far at all,” Mr Heeney said.
