The whale watching season has officially begun in New South Wales, marking the start of a spectacular natural event that brings joy and wonder to grey nomads and many others.
The first handful of whales have already been spotted at locations including Shellharbour, Port Macquarie and Manly.
Around 40,000 humpback whales, known for their acrobatic breaches and enchanting songs, will leave the krill-rich waters of Antarctica in autumn, swimming north to warmer waters off Queensland and NSW to find mates, calve after 11 months gestation, or simply socialise before returning.
This journey spans approximately 10,000 kilometres and is one of the longest migrations of any mammal.
A humpback whale breaching. PIC: Jonas Liebschner / DCCEEW
The gentle giants can grow up to 17 metres in length and weigh as much as 40 metric tonnes.
While the sight of these magnificent creatures is awe-inspiring, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) says it is important to observe them from a safe distance to ensure their wellbeing and human safety.
NPWS reminds everyone that drones and watercraft, including surf craft, kayaks and boats, must stay at least 100 metres from a whale, or 300 metres if watching from a jetski or there is a calf present, to help protect these species.
“Let’s celebrate the start of whale watching season by appreciating the beauty of the humpback whales while ensuring their safety and protection,” said NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Marine Wildlife Team Leader, Melissa Tan. “We’re incredibly fortunate to have a front-row seat to this extraordinary annual migration we can all observe, right up and down the coast.”
Humpback whale numbers have bounced back to around 40,000 whales since the 1960s, when commercial whaling had reduced the east coast Australian population to potentially as few as 100 individuals.
For those keen to witness the humpback whale migration, some of the best viewing spots in national parks can be found here. The NPWS says these locations offer excellent vantage points to see the whales as they travel close to the coast during their migration.
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Yes!!! Spotting them off Batemans Bay coast.