Known for its pristine beaches, stunning sunsets, serene rainforests, and diverse ecosystems, Australia's East Coast is not only a living paradise for all the beach and nature lovers but also for the ocean’s most magical creatures. Each year, thousands of whales migrate from Antarctica to the calm and pristine water of the east coast to play, rest and nurture their young calves. The sheer volume of whales along the east coastlines of Australia, also known as the Humpback Highway will have all the whale enthusiasts gathering to get a glimpse at these massive mammals. Watching these incredible mammals in their natural habitat is surely a surreal and unforgettable experience.
Whale, hello there!
Whale Watching in the East Coast of Australia
Queensland
Whalecome to the best marine-based experience you’ll ever embark on
Hervey Bay & Fraser Island
Located along the coastline of Queensland, a 3.5 hours drive north of Brisbane will have you arrive at the picturesque Hervey Bay. Proudly known as Australia’s whale watching capital, Hervey Bay is well known for its close encounters with humpback whales. The warm sheltered waters of the bay provide the perfect haven for the whales to take a break during their annual winter migration. Getting up close and personal with these gentle giants as they approach the boat curiously to inspect you is truly a sight to behold! World Heritage listed Fraser Island is just at the doorstep of Hervey Bay. The calm safe waters of Platypus Bay, on Fraser Island's western side, are a prime whale watching spot. Whales can be spotted from the shores as well as from the Indian Head Lookout, which is the perfect vantage point to witness the majestic humpback whales from afar.
Best Time to Go: July to October
What to Spot: Humpback whales, baby whales and dwarf minke whales
Gold Coast
Home to world-class surfing beaches,Gold Coast is the city that has one of the longest whale watching seasons! Cast your eyes upon humpback whales breaching and playing in the waters as more than 30,000 whales usually visit the Gold Coast during the whale watching season. Gold Coast is enroute as these incredible creatures travel north on the Humpback Highway to mate, give birth and return south with their new born calves later in the season. This means there’s plenty of opportunities to witness these gigantic mammals putting up a show for you as you pass by in their natural habitat.
Best Time to Go: June to October with peaks in August
What to Spot: Humpback whales, bottlenose dolphins, minke whales and Migaloo the white humpback (IF you’re lucky!)
Brisbane
Brisbane sits at the edge of the Humpback Highway, which makes whale watching in Brisbane such an incredible experience. While not the largest of the whale species, the humpback whale is the most surface active whale. Moreton Bay is the best destination to observe the mighty humpback whales thanks to its warm subtropical waters. Get up close and personal with these sentient mammals on an awe-inspiring whale watching tour to spot these marine mammals breaching and sometimes singing as they swim together along the coast. Make sure you have your camera ready as you watch humpback whales breach. They really put on a show and it is a scene that you’ll remember for a long time!
Best Time to Go: June to October
What to Spot: Humpback whales, southern right whales, bottlenose dolphins, dugongs
Book a Tour
New South "Whales"
Prepare yourself for an over-whale-ming experience
Sydney
Do you know that Sydney is known to be one of the most beautiful natural harbours in the world, which makes Sydney the perfect spot for whale watching? May to November, specifically September is an exciting time to be out in the ocean. If you’re lucky, you may even get to see a new born calf or two! Watch as the whales engage in a number of behaviours such as breaching and tail slapping, with Sydney’s stunning coastline as the backdrop. A rare blue whale sighting off the coast of Sydney happened last year, where wildlife authorities claimed this is the third time in 100 years where the biggest living creature is sighted in Australia! Why not jump on a whale watching tour to see if you’re the lucky one to spot one this time?
Best Time to Go: May to early November
What to Spot: Humpback whales, southern right whales, bottlenose dolphins
P/S: If you’re lucky, you might see orcas, blue whales and sperm whales too!
Byron Bay
Byron Bay sits at the most eastern point in Australia, which is why it is considered one of the best destinations to spot the incredible humpback whales. The hippie town has many great places to spot whales and one of the best vantage points to spot one is from the Cape Byron Lighthouse. If you’d rather not leave it to chance, then you can turn over to the whale watching experts! Going on a whale watching tour is pretty much the same as getting front row seats for the show these majestic creatures will put on. Another option for viewing whales in Byron Bay is to participate in a sea kayaking tour. You’ll have the chance to kayak with adorable dolphins, spot sea turtles or even get a close encounter with curious whales!
Best Time to Go: May to November
What to Spot: Humpback whales, bottlenose dolphins, turtles
