Whale and Dolphin Conservation
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Australia is fortunate to have many great places to see whales and dolphins in the wild. The sites listed below are ideal for land and water-based whale watching. Remember that Whale Watching Guidelines and Regulations exist for both your safety and the safety of whales and dolphins. It is important not to disturb whales and dolphins in their natural environment.
While you are out watching whales use these guides which will help you recognise the species of whale you are looking at:
Check the map of Australia to see some of the great whale watching locations around Australia. Please be aware that these are just some of the locations and species you can see around the coastline. If you are aware of places that are good for viewing whales and dolphins please send the information to us: epbcwild@deh.gov.au and we'll endeavour to include it on this site.
Head of the Bight (Great Australian Bight Marine Park areas)
Incorporating waters within the South Australian Great Australian Bight Whale Sanctuary and Great Australian Bight Marine National Park, and Commonwealth Great Australian Bight Marine Park. This is an important calving and mating area for southern right whales, especially close to shore in the South Australian marine park, and offers exceptional land-based whale watching opportunities.
Encounter Coast (Victor Harbour)
This is an important area for viewing of southern right whales and their calves between May and September. The area offers exceptional land-based whale watching opportunities within a short distance from metropolitan Adelaide and attracts tens of thousands of people annually.
The entire Queensland east coast is a great location to see many species of whales and dolphins. For example the humpback whale can be found along almost the entire Queensland coast during their migration season between July and September (Morgan 1992). The areas around Cairns and the Ribbon Reefs are important for dwarf minke whales which can be encountered between May to August.
Hervey Bay
Hervey Bay Marine Park is a great place to see humpback whales, where year after year these whales return from early August to the end of October.
Moreton Bay
Moreton Bay was once a whaling station due to the amount of humpback whales passing the area. Today Moreton Bay has moved from a whaling station to a whale watching station.
The Great Barrier Reef
Whales are seen regularly in the Great Barrier Reef. Some species live all year in these warm tropical waters and others migrate through the Reef each winter from the colder southern oceans. The most commonly sighted species are humpback and dwarf minke whales.
The entire Western Australian coastline provides opportunities to see humpback whales on their annual migration from Antarctic waters to the warm waters north of Australia.
Waters off the NW coast north of Cape Leveque
This area is important for humpback whale calving and breeding. The peak period is mid-August to mid-September, however, the species can be seen in the area between about July and October.
Coastal areas from Albany to the Great Australian Bight
These are important breeding areas for southern right whales and also for viewing humpback whales and possibly sperm whales.
Perth waters
These waters are an important temporary rest area for southward migrating humpback whales between September to late November, when they can be seen in the area with great regularity. Southern right whales are also being seen in increasing numbers in Perth metropolitan waters as their populations slowly recover from commercial whaling.
Geographe Bay Area
Blue whales are being sighted in increasing numbers in this area as the species slowly recovers from the impacts of commercial whaling.
Cape Byron
Tweed Heads to Cape Byron is recognised as a prime location for observing migrating humpback whales.
Coffs Harbour
The coastal waters in the vicinity of Coffs Harbour provides good opportunities for observation of migrating humpbacks travelling both north and south, calving events have also been reported in the area.
Jervis Bay
Bottlenose dolphins are seen throughout the year at Jervis Bay. The
cliffs around the Bay also provide great opportunities for land based
observations of humpback whales from June to December.
Port Stephens
Bottlenose dolphins can be found in these waters.
Twofold Bay
Waters within the bay are visited annually, although in low numbers, by humpbacks and southern right whales. Blue whales are also sometimes sighted outside the bay. Humpback whales have been observed feeding within the bay.
Logan's Beach, Warrnambool
Logan's Beach is an area where southern right whales come to calve and usually remain between June and October. It is a prime location for viewing these whales from land.
Great Oyster Bay and Mercury Passage
Humpback and southern right whales are observed frequently in the region during the migrating season. Southern right whales have been known to remain in the area for extended periods.
Adventure Bay, Bruny Island
This area is Tasmania's most predictable area for sighting southern right whales. Stays of 1-5 weeks have been recorded and calving confirmed in the area.