Of course, warrnambool isnt all fin flapping and steps back in time. The best cities for whale watching tours are esperance, albany, augusta, dunsborough and perth along the southwestern coast, including a lot of places, where sightings are possible from the mainland. Warrnambool at its winter best southern right whales use a local beach to nurse their young and come really close to the shore to delight us. For wildlife lovers, enjoy a whale watching cruise during the calving season. Australian whale boat racing championships home facebook. Almost every year between june and september, female southern right whales return to the waters of warrnambool s logans beach to calve.
Southern right whales migrate to the area from south in may and june, to give birth to their calves, and logans beach happens to be. Often travelling in pods, they may often be seen loafing or travelling, but more excitingly, tail slapping or blowing. If you have any additional questions about the trip, please see our faq. The killer whale named old tom swims alongside a whaleboat, flanking a whale calf. Whaletrips australia the best tips for whale watching. Channel your inner child on the 20hectares and its many activities for kids and adults alike, including playground, boat rides and scenic walks around the lake. Discover our local secrets with warrnambool tours tour with a. The platform at logans beach is a specially constructed platform ideal for whale watching, and is even fitted with binoculars for your prime viewing. The great ocean road is a popular spot for many reasons it boasts a wild and rugged coastline, it is home to several of the regions bestloved natural attractions, and it garners stunning views out across the ocean, which is why it is the perfect place for whale watching.
The best whale watching areas are located in portland, warrnambool, and phillip islanda popular day trip from melbourne. Board the southern explorer to view the amazing wildlife of australia, from a unique perspective. I know it is possible to watch whales from viewing platforms. Watched by whales in warrnambool rails, whales and tales. Whale boat racing in warrnambool on the hopkins river. First whale of the season spotted off southwest the. Gold coast sea world whale watching cruise book now. Valuing whales for national whale day was commissioned by ifaw and conducted by economists at large. Whale watching almost every year between june and september, female southern right whales return to the waters of warrnambool s logans beach to calve.
Southern right, humpback, blue and the occasional orca, like to slap, spyhop and tail throw their way back to this stretch of coast year after year. Dont forget to check out our top 7 whale watching tips at the end of this itinerary. The gold coast whale watching season runs from early june to november and whale watching cruises will depart daily from the sea world cruise terminal at 7. Every year, southern right whales and blue whales migrate from victoria in search of sunnier climates, and were fast approaching the season when you can spot them languishing off the shoreline in all their magnificent glory. Whale watching, nature and wildlife, great ocean road. Each february the flagstaff hill maritime village fleet of whaleboats are used for the australian whale boat championships. Fishing charters and luxury cruise charters, warrnambool boat. Almost every year between june and september, female southern right whales return to the waters of warrnambools.
A great start to the season, warrnambool locals are hoping this is a sign of many more sightings to come. Hi, we will be on ocean road at the end of august what supposed to be a right time for whatching. Southern right whales have been visiting warrnambool for hundreds of years. Winter whale trail in warrnambool visit warrnambool. Whaleboats were central to the whaling industry, portlands main industry in the 1830s and early 1840s. Known mating grounds of southern right whales are the waters around bremer bay, fitzgerald river national park and cape arid. They offer free tastings and sales of the awardwinning warrnambool heritage cheddar. Whale watching on the gold coast if youd rather keep your feet on the ground but still yearn for the special experience of seeing a whale, australias east coast is the best place to spot whales from the beach. Magnificent giants of the deep have been caught frolicking off warrnambool in a stunning series of pictures. The boat is being towed by a harpooned whale not visible here, near eden, australia. Operating between june and the beginning of august each year, this 4 hour phillip island whale watching tour departs from phillip islands rhyll jetty into the open water aboard a comfortable vessel to explore the. Great ocean road touring map 2018 by great ocean road. They can be viewed from a specially constructed platform in the sand dunes or from the beach.
Join a deep sea, reef or tuna fishing charter from port fairy, along the coast between portland and warrnambool. Boat charters warrnambool fishing charters and luxury. They can be viewed from a specially constructed platform in. Warrnambool is victorias largest coastal city outside port phillip bay and is the fastest growing economy and population centre in the great south coast. Once they were hunted almost to the point of extinction, but since whaling was. Great ocean road whale watching winter warrnambool.
Tourism numbers, expenditures and economic benefits. Download the map the whale trail at a glance, download your own pdf map to quickly quickly see where the best whale spotting locations are. Whale watching in winter with itineraries visit warrnambool. There are no whale watching boat trips along the gor. Warrnambool veteran whale enthusiast peter read said he had begun his regular watching. Thank you for allowing us to make your whale watching dreams come true. In hervey bay, queensland, the birthplace of commercial whale watching in australia, the industry has grown from 11,000 passengers in 1987 to 64,000 in 2008.
Warrnambool diving and firearms is locally owned and operated offering a full range of sales and service of diving, firearms and archery. The whale watching industry has expanded nationally and attracts large numbers of tourists to coastal towns around australia. Cheese world is the cellar door for the warrnambool cheese and butter wcb factory. In victoria it often said that warrnambool is the best place to whale watch, although whales can be often spotted right along the great ocean road. The great ocean road is a popular spot for many reasons it boasts a wild and rugged coastline, it is home to several of the. The whales often swim within a hundred meters off the shore and can be viewed from a specially constructed whale viewing platform in the sand dunes or from the beach. Time your trip to the great ocean road region between june and october for whale watching at logans beach, victorias southern right whale nursery. For wildlife lovers, enjoy a whale watching cruise during the calving season june to september or a seal watching tour. Watch these breathtaking mammals, the southern right whale and blue whale, from the shoreline as they migrate to the coast of victoria each year. Best time for whale watching in australia about australia. Fishing charter port fairy, fishing charters portland. The whaling industry at portland was established in the early 1830s.
The best time for whale watching in this region, however, is between july and september. The whales often swim within a hundred metres of the shore and can be viewed from a specially constructed platform in the sand dunes or from the beach. Welcome aboard reel addiction our luxury, iconic, topaz 37 sportfisher. Forty five species of whales and dolphins live in or migrate through. The whale trail at a glance, download your own pdf map to quickly see where the.
Look for viewing platforms, clifftops and rocky outcrops along the coast for a better view or join a wildlife cruise to get a closer look at these majestic mammals. Half day fishing charters, full day fishing charters, sightseeing boat tours, whale watching, wildlife tours. Whale watching, nature and wildlife, victoria, australia. You can also download our whale trail flyer to take with you. Whale watching tours get up close and personal with the friendly giants of the sea on a whale watching tour around warrnambool and port fairy. Southern coast charters fishing, tuna, deep sea and sightseeing tours offer unique and exhilarating reef fishing and deep sea fishing experiences that will appeal to your. Logans beach in warrnambool is the whale watching mecca. Whale watching in warrnambool warrnambool forum tripadvisor. Scc is a family owned and operated port fairy fishing charter that runs tuna fishing boat charters from the wharf in port fairy, 20 mins west of warrnambool, in victoria.
Whale watchers are reminded to keep their distance if out in a boat or jetski, with minimum approach. The old man answered that a mother and baby southern right whale were just up the coast in the surf. Each year from june to october south west victoria welcomes migrating whales. The whale trail through warrnambool, port fairy and portland, also known as the whale corridor, is one of the only places in the world where whales breed within 100 metres of the shore. The platform is free to access and is open at all times. The whales often swim within a hundred meters of the shore. Almost every year between june and september, female southern right whales return to the waters off warrnambools logans beach to calve. When fiona van kempen owner of warrnambool tours had her first business smoko express, she spent every weekend of the whale season at logans beach with. The whales often swim within a hundred metres of the shore. Whale watching along the great ocean road melbourne. The man told us the whales would be directly in front of us in about 15 minutes if we would just wait. From the late 1960s, the number of whale watchers in australia has continually risen, with over 1. Keep track of sightings here and get some whale watching tips.
Turn left at the roundabout when leaving flagstaff hill and head toward lake pertobe adventure playground. Almost every year between june and september, female southern right whales return to the waters of warrnambools logans beach to calve. Every day we strive to provide the highest quality customer service and the very best boats and educational tours in the world. The city is a major provider in the fields of commerce, governance, social services, health, education, culture, the arts and recreation. Whaling and whale boats played an important part in portlands economy in the early years of european settlement. Due to the coronavirus covid19 outbreak, some attractions, events, tours and. Logans beach is located in the coastal city of warrnambool. She came to get me from the car to help join the search. Along the whale trail through warrnambool, port fairy and portland, youll spot southern right. Half day fishing charters, full day fishing charters, sightseeing boat tours, whale. At logans beach in warrnambool is a whale watching platform, where you can watch passing whales for free.