Whale Watching Locations
Whale and Dolphin Watch Australia Inc. (WADWA) is the national incorporated association of Australian commercial whalewatchers and part of the International Alliance of Commercial Whalewatchers.
Alliance members advocate complete protection for all species of Cetaceans and commit to best practice methods of observation and active conservation of the species.
Find a WADWA member whale watching operator in your state.
New South Wales
Australian Travel
Specialists
Australian Travel Specialists promote responsible whale watching. A $1
donation will be made to IFAW for every passenger booked on a whale
watching cruise. Call ATS on (02) 9211 3192 to make a booking.
Narooma
Narooma on the South Coast of NSW has had a whale watching industry
for over 14 years. Home to the only known colony of Australian fur seals, the
area is also a haven for birds and marine life. One of IFAW's Humpback Icon Project
(HIP) Communities their adopted whale is called Naroo.
Newcastle
Departing from Newcastle's vibrant foreshore, from May to August watch
the annual migration of the humpback whales past the Hunter coastline as they
head north.
Port
Stephens
Port Stephens has grown to become a popular destination for whale watching in
recent years. This beautiful port located only two and a half hours drive north
of Sydney, is a great place to see whales during their annual migration.
Sydney - Cape Solander
Situated in Botany Bay National Park, Cape Solander is one of the best whale
viewing platforms in Sydney.
South East - Sapphire Coast
The Sapphire Coast has become a popular destination for whale watchers. This
is a great place to see whales from late September to late November when the
whales return to Antarctica on their Southern migration. In October the Eden Whale Festival
celebrates Eden's involvement with whales.
Land-based Whale Watching in NSW
For those looking for an alternative to boat-based whale watching – here are
a number of vantage points across NSW:
- Narooma on the South Coast of NSW
- Cape Byron state recreation Area near Byron Bay
- Broken Head Nature Reserve near Byron Bay
- Solitary Islands Marine Park north of Coffs Harbour
- Hat Head National Park near Kempsey
- Crowdy Head National Park near Taree
- Tomaree National Park near Nelson Bay
- Barrenjoey Headland in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park near Sydney
- North Head in Sydney Harbour National Park
- Cape Solander in Botany Bay National Park at Kurnell
- Jevis Bay National Park near Nowra
- Ben Boyd National Park near Eden
Queensland
Hervey Bay
This coastal city has become known as the Whale Watching Capital of the
Australia, where year after year the humpback whales return from early August to
the end of October. There are a number of companies offering whale watching
trips from Hervey Bay.
Hervey Bay Whale Watching Tours
Ozhorizons - Whale Watching in Hervey Bay, Moreton Bay and Queensland
Whalewatching.com.au - Whale Watching Hervey Bay & Fraser Island
The Oceania Project's 19th Whale Research Expedition 2008 - Participate in the Hervey Bay research expedition for 5 nights/ 6 days.
Moreton Bay
Located near Brisbane, Moreton Bay was once a
whaling station due to the amount of whales passing the area. Today however
people visit the area to watch whales. There are two vessels operating from
Moreton Bay on a daily basis during the whale watching
season.
Moreton Bay Whale Watching - Daily whale watching cruises through the migration season.
Tangalooma Island Resort - Daily whale watching cruises
through the migration
season.
Gold
Coast
Australian Whale Watching - Daily whale watching cruises.
Spirit of the Bay - Daily whale watching cruises.
Gold Coast Whale Watching - Daily whale watching
cruises.
South Australia
Encounter Bay, Victor Harbour,
Visit the South Australian Whale Centre in Victor Harbour to find out where
the Southern Right Whales are from May to September through the centre’s Whale
Info Booth and Telstra Country Wide’s Whale Info Hotline (1900 931
223). Also find out the best viewing spots on land and
sea.
Western Australia
Flinders Bay, Augusta
Witness the behaviour of migrating Humpback, Southern right and Blue whales,
in the pristine bays of the spectacular south-west of Western Australia.
Naturaliste
Charters
A West Australian charter boat company based in the pristine south-west of
the state, conducting Dolphin and Whale eco-tours.
Winter
Whale Watching Tour with Active Safaris
A 2 day adventure trip taking in a whale watching trip in Flinders Bay,
Augusta on the second day.
Albany- Site of Australia's last whaling station in 1978
Whale World- Albany's Historic
Whaling Station Museum
Victoria
Warrnambool
Southern Right Whales return to Logans Beach at Warrnambool each winter to
calve.
Warrnambool Visitor Information Centre is open 7 days a week recording daily whale sightings and providing you with the best viewing locations in the area.
New Zealand
Kaikoura
For Tourist information on whale watching in Kaikoura, New
Zealand.
