MORE than 30,000 humpback whales are about to make their mighty presence felt as they begin their annual migration from Antarctica and along the east coast to Queensland.
And all along the NSW coast national parks provide some of the best vantage points in the world to see these giants, which are becoming much easier to see as their numbers steadily recover.
Whale watching season runs from the beginning of June to the end of November.
You can find vantage points, get tips for whale watching and accommodation at wildaboutwhales.com.au
You can also download the free Wild About Whales smartphone app to see the latest sightings and record your own. Just search "Whales NSW" in your app store.
Here are five top spots from Byron Bay down to Port Stephens.
1. Cape Byron Lighthouse, Cape Byron State Conservation Area.
This is the most easterly point on the Australian mainland. Famed for its lighthouse, it's one of the best whale spotting vantage points in the country. Daily tours include a trip to the top of the lighthouse.
2. Wilsons Headland, Yuraygir National Park.
With its barrier-free platforms and magnificent beach and ocean views, the headland walk provides fantastic opportunities to view the whale migration.
3. Eastern Side lookout, Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve.
No visit to Coffs Harbour is complete without a visit to this important Aboriginal place, imbued with stories of the Dreaming. Join the rangers for an exciting whale watching experience aided by the powerful viewing scope and binoculars.
4. Smoky Cape Lighthouse, Hat Head National Park.
This park near South West Rocks offers beaches, rainforest and wetlands, but its crowning glory is the lighthouse, which offers fine coastal views. You can watch the whales frolick near the rocks just below the lighthouse and take your pick of walking tracks. At nearby Trial Bay Gaol take a guided whale watching activity with parks rangers throughout July.
5. Tomaree Head Summit Walk, Tomaree National Park.
Take the invigorating short walk to the summit, 161 metres above the Port Stephens entrance. Whale watching is great - and you may also see the world's only nesting sites for the endangered Gould's petrel.
