Every year, thousands of gentle giants — including around 25,000 awe-inspiring humpback whales — make the trek along the Gold Coast of Queensland, roughly from June to November, though this can vary by species.
In our beautiful state, tens of thousands of people flock to the coastline in the hopes of getting a glimpse of these majestic animals, and it’s no wonder! Queensland boasts some of the best and most renowned whale-watching spots, making it a no-brainer for those looking to have this experience.
If you’re itching for the chance to see some of the largest living beings that share the planet with us, read on for tips and place recommendations.
When to whale-watch
As mentioned, whale-watching season runs more or less from June to November, with humpbacks migrating north along our coast between June and July, towards tropical breeding grounds, and then swimming south from July onwards. If you catch them on this latter part of the journey, you’ll have a higher chance of seeing mothers and calves!
Although the spectacle of whales swimming and breaching the waters in the late afternoon light can be nothing short of magical, generally speaking, you’ll have an easier time spotting them in the morning, when conditions are calmer and winds haven’t picked up yet.
What to do when whale-watching
With any sort of wild animal observation, their wellbeing should come first, which means keeping your distance. Additionally, you’ll be more likely to have a good experience when you give them space to behave naturally! If you’re watching from land, some binoculars would probably come in handy.
Watch out for signs of disturbance from the whales, such as moving away from the boat, changing swimming speed or direction on multiple occasions, diving suddenly or more often and, of course, any sort of aggressive behaviour. This is especially important in the case of mothers and calves, as you don’t want to risk disrupting their feeding or even separating them. If you notice any of these signs, move away slowly.
While whale-watching, there is always the possibility of coming across a stranded whale. In the event that this happens, you can report it through the free QWildlife app, or by calling 1300 130 372 and pressing option 1.
While you wait for help to arrive, make sure you keep away from the whale’s head and tail, avoid touching it, and stand upwind from the blowhole.
Where to whale-watch
Moreton Island
If you want to make a whole day of it, Moreton Island’s where it’s at, because not only do you have the change to observe humpback whales, southern right whales, pilot whales and minke whales from June to November, but there’s all sorts of water-based activities to keep you busy! Snorkel, feed dolphins, ride jet skis or even book a helicopter ride if you want a bird’s eye view of the marine mammals.
North Stradbroke Island
Would you rather stay closer to Brisbane? Then Point Lookout is the whale-watching spot for you! Although on land, its breathtaking views of the Sunshine Coast and stunningly blue waters offer plenty of opportunities to observe whales and even other marine life such as sea turtles, manta rays and dolphins from platforms at any point between July and November.
Coolum
Another excellent spot for humpback whale encounters as they swim along their migration path, Point Perry is only about an hour from Brisbane and is also a land-based lookout, so you can look through your binoculars as you munch on a picnic and chill by the coast.
The Whitsundays
Surrounding the Great Barrier Reef, these islands are teeming with life, and whales are no exception. Situated near the endpoint of their migratory journey, the Whitsundays are ideal if you really want to take your time watching humpback and minke whales, as the area’s warm waters mean they stick around for longer to play and socialise from mid-July to October.
Hervey Bay
Hervey Bay’s place as a whale-watching paradise is indisputable. After all, one of its claims to fame is being crowned the world’s first official Whale Heritage Site back in 2019! It’s particularly popular with humpback whales, as it’s a stop on what is affectionately known as Humpback Highway, and as many as 7,000 whales rest and play with their calves in the sheltered waters.
In fact, it’s known as one of the only places where whales stop their migration just to socialise with each other. And, while humpbacks are almost a guarantee, you might also see minke whales, southern right whales and even killer whales. For the best chance at a glimpse of any of these, make sure you go from mid-July to October!