From May to November each year Australia’s coastal water become a highway for migrating whales.
During the cool winter months, from May to August, you can see these gentle giants migrating north in search of warmer waters for mating and breeding, before heading back south to the food-rich Southern Ocean from September to November.
Whether viewed in the distance from a headland or up close on a whale watching cruise, there is something truly magical about watching these majestic creatures frolic off our shores. With locations all the way up Australia’s East Coast, Ingenia Holidays offers front-row seats to the aquatic action. Here are three great spots to spy whales this winter.
Hervey Bay
Hervey Bay is renowned as the whale watching capital of Australia and has even been designated a Whale Heritage Site. You’re almost guaranteed to see these awe-inspiring mammals flip, slap and blow as they linger in the warm, protected waters. It’s a great place for up close and personal experiences too, which a variety of whale watching cruises on offer. The annual Hervey Bay Whale Festival in July serves up additional fun. Book your stay at Ingenia Holidays Hervey Bay so that you don’t miss out on all the action.
Byron Bay
Tick two things off your to-do list at the same time by heading up to Cape Byron Lighthouse. Situated high on the headland it offers an amazing vantage point for whale spotting, plus you get to stand on mainland Australia’s most easterly point. It’s just a 10-minute drive from Ingenia Holidays Byron Bay, or park at The Pass and follow the Cape Byron Lighthouse Walk on foot. At 3km return, this hour-long stroll offers plentiful viewing opportunities.
Shoalhaven Heads
Two hours south of Sydney, Ingenia Holidays Shoalhaven Heads is a great base for a whale-watching adventure. Jervis Bay, just an hour to the south, offers a host of whale watching cruises, while a half-hour scenic coastal drive north takes you via Gerringong Whale Watching Platform and Kiama to Minnamurra Whale Watching Platform, all of which offer great lookouts.
Queenscliff
Ingenia Holidays Queenscliff Beacon is a great starting point to explore the Great Ocean Road (where there are plenty more whale sightings). Visitors and locals alike are encouraged to record their whale sightings along the road so other people will know where to go to see whales. In Queenscliff, you might be able to sight the whales from several of the beaches or jump on board the ferry to Sorrento and keep an eye out from the top deck.
If you keep your eyes glued to the horizon you can sight whales all along the East Coast. So, no matter which Ingenia Holiday Parks you choose, it won’t be long before someone shouts “thar she blows!”
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