Whale watching Australia has rapidly grown in popularity over the past few years, and thanks to the continued support of many agencies, the whale population has recovered from near extinction. Australia is one of the best locations in the world to watch these majestic creatures, as they migrate up and down the east and west coast of the country, on their way to and from Antarctica, and with that in mind, here is our top 5 whale watching locations in Australia.

  1. Sydney – Many people think that the stretch of coastline that runs from Sydney to Brisbane is the best of all, and whale watching in Sydney is not only affordable, it is very easy to book online. Just make sure that you book early to avoid disappointment. While you can see Humpback and Southern Right Whales from the shoreline, the best way to experience these amazing animals is to book a spot on one of the whale watching boats that operate out of Sydney.
  2. Eden, NSW – This is the perfect place to observe Humpbacks as they arrive in the warm waters off Queensland between June and August, while from September to November sees the whale mothers taking their calves to Antarctica. They usually stay quite close to the shore with their young, which is ideal for observing their surface behaviour.
  3. Port Stephens, NSW – Consisting of many sandy bays, Port Stephens offers the perfect vantage point to watch the Humpbacks breaching as they pass through in June, July and August, while you can catch them on their return journey in October and November.
  4. Victor Harbour, SA – This is a great spot to view Southern Right Whales in July and August, as they mate and calve in the sheltered waters, often coming to within 100m of the shoreline, swimming very slowly.
  5. Exmouth, WA – Whale sharks are to be found in these plankton-filled warm waters, and these unique fish can grow to lengths of 18m.

If you would like to book a spot on a whale watching excursion during the season, make sure you book early, as whale watching is very popular among locals and tourists alike.