The best time to travel to Australia for whale watching is from June to November as the whales start to migrate north to breeding areas off the coast of Queensland.
Here are our top destinations to visit for whale watching:
Great Oyster Bay, Freycinet Peninsula, Tasmania
Head out to this area on Tasmania’s east coast between May and July to see the humpback whales and southern right whales cruising through the clear waters. Take a cruise around Wineglass Bay to see more wildlife including penguins, dolphins and seals.
Byron Bay, New South Whales
Enjoy whale watching at Australia’s most easterly point between May and November. One of the best vantage points is the Cape Byron Lighthouse where the whales will be within 100 metres from the viewing point. You may be spoiled on the day with other sea creatures which could include dolphins.
Byron offer some great tours where you can kayak or paddle board right next to the beautiful mammals. Some of the cruise boats have hydrophones that enable you to listen to humpback whales singing.
The Gold Coast, Queensland
The Gold Coast is spoilt as nearly anywhere along the beach or a high rise facing the water, you’ll surely see a whale in the water. However, there are some great vantage points which include the following places;
- Point Danger Lookout, Coolangatta
- Kirra Hill, Kirra
- Burleigh Point or Burleigh Hill, Burleigh Heads
- Miami Hill, Miami
- The Spit, Main Beach
Hervey Bay, Queensland
The hot spot for whale watching in Queensland. This is where the humpbacks stop to breed and nurse their young, so you might be lucky enough to see some calves! The whales normally show off and put on a bit of show for visitors. The best time to visit is between July and August as the town hosts an annual Hervey Bay Whale Festival.
