where to see whales on the Humpback Highway in Australia

Some 200 years ago whaling was big business in Australia and was in fact one of Australia’s first primary industries. The whale blubber was melted down and the oil was used in street lamps and was the basis for lubricants, perfumes and soaps. And even the baleen (whalebone) was used for items such as corsets and umbrellas. But this has changed thanks to humans realising that whales play an important role in ocean ecosystems by bringing stability to the food chain. 

And this post is not about the history of whaling in Australia. This post is about the Humpback Highway and where you can see these majestic animals in the wild. So come with me and travel along Australia’s east coast to discover some of the best places to see whales on the Humpback Highway. Many are by venturing into the ocean to their habitat but for those ‘landlubbers’ amongst us, there are plenty of places to view whales spouting and breaching from land.

What is the Humpback Highway?

What is the Humpback Highway I hear you ask! Well firstly, it is not one of Australia’s best road trips, but it is a road trip of some sorts. A road trip for whales, Humpback Whales that is. The Humpback Highway is the route Humpback Whales follow as they swim between the cold Antarctic waters to the warmer Australian waters to give birth and to feed. This is why it is called the Humpback Highway because it is mostly Humpback Whales that travel this route. 

When is the best time to see the whales?

Each year between April and November, Australia’s eastern coastline comes alive with the spectacular acrobatic displays of Humpback whales. After spending their summer in Antarctic waters feeding on krill, they migrate north, swimming some 5,000km to sub-tropical waters to mate and give birth, before migrating back to Antarctica.

So when is the best time to see the whales? Well anytime between April and November, but it depends on where they are in their journey. So April and May they are leaving Antarctica and passing by Tasmania and Victoria. In June and July they can be somewhere along the NSW coastline, then in July to September they can be in the Queensland water, particularly in Hervey Bay. And then they begin to migrate back to Antarctica leaving Queensland September sometime so you will see them migrating down the coastline October and November on their way to Antarctica.

What Whales will you see on the Humpback Highway?

Mostly Humpback Whales are seen on the Humpback Highway, but you may see other whales. And if wondering why Humpbacks are called that well, they get their name because of the hump on its back of course!

Each year like clockwork, these marine mammals undertake a 5,000km migration from Antarctica to have a babymoon followed by birth story in Queensland’s warm, inviting waters. Humpback whale migration is nothing short of something out of a circle of life documentary, as they swim north to birth their calves and teach them life skills, before returning south to chilly Antarctica.

While there’s a good chance you’ll spot whales from coastal lookouts and hikes during this time of year, it’s even more incredible to get a closer look. Here’s where to go whale watching in Queenslan

Where to see Whales on the Humpback Highway

TIP: It is illegal to approach whales and be within 300m of them, but it is fine if they approach you to interact.

If lucky enough you can often see them from shore in the distance. But many prefer to get a closer look and  go on a specific whale watching tour. If you want to see whales there are some specific advantage points. Read on, and discover where you can see whales on the Humpback Highway.

I’m starting this post on where to see whales on the Humpback Highway in Tasmania as it is closest to Antarctica.

Tasmania

The best places to see Humpback whales in Tasmania is from vantage points along Tasmania’s East Coast. As Tasmania is the closest part of Australia to Antarctica you can see the whales heading up to warmer waters from May to July and then returning to Antarctica September to December.

Best land based viewing spots to see Humpback Whales in Tasmania

• Cape Tourville Lighthouse
• Freycinet National Park
• Fluted Cape on Bruny Island

Boat tours in Tasmania to see the Humpback Whales

To see migrating whales in the water plus other wildlife including seals, seabirds and dolphins plus, the highest sea cliffs in the Southern Hemisphere, check out this 3 hour tour out of Port Arthur.

New South Wales

The New South Wales (NSW) coastline provides many opportunities to see the Humpback whales on the Humpback Highway. Starting on the southern coast and working our way up the NSW coast.

Eden and surrounds

Eden is one of the best places to see Humpback whales migrating up and down the East Coast of Australia. In fact, whales have such a big history with Eden that Eden is home to the Whale Museum. But for unforgettable whale watching experiences there are many places to see whales along the Sapphire Coast. 

‘Old Ben’ skeleton Eden Whale Museum

Best land based viewing spots to see Whales

• Mimosa Rocks National Park
• Ben Boyd National Park – particularly Green Cape Lookout, Boyds Tower and on many of the walking tracks
• Nadgee Nature Reserve – Greenglade picnic area and the Nadgee wilderness track

Jervis Bay and Shoalhaven

Jervis Bay and the Shoalhaven region provide many opportunities to see the whales migrating up and down the coast. 

Best land based places to see the whales 

• Seven Mile Beach and Gerroa
• Jervis Bay National Park – White Sands Walk, Greenfield Beach picnic area, Bull Hole lookout.

Best boat tours from Jervis Bay to see the migrating whales

To see migrating whales in the water plus other wildlife including dolphins, check out this 2 hour tour from Huskison in Jervis Bay.

Sydney

Sydney provides many opportunities to see the Humpback whales. Head to the coastal areas of the city.

Best land based places to see the whales

• Kurnell Kamay Botany Bay National Park
• Royal National Park – The Coast Track
• Buddy National Park
• Sydney Harbour National Park – both South and North Heads
• Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park at the Barrenjoey Lighthouse

Best Whale Watching Tours out of Sydney

Sydney has a range of whale watching tours available. Some are 2 hours long while others include breakfast or lunch. Get more details and to book your whale experience:

2.5 hour Whale watching cruise from Sydney

3 hour Whale watching cruise from Sydney on a catamaran

Whale watching cruise with breakfast or lunch included

Port Stephens

Some two hours north of Sydney you will find the Port Stephens region and it is a great place for a whale watching adventure.

Best land based places to see the whales

• Tomaree National Park – Tomaree Head Summit Walk, Fort Tomaree Walk and Wreck Beach Walk

Whale Tours out of Port Stephens

To go on a whale watching boat tour out of Port Stephens, check this one out.

3 hour Whale Watching Tour from Port Stephens

Port Macquarie

Some four hours north of Sydney is Port Macquarie. The area around Port Macquarie provides many opportunities to see whales as they migrate up and down the NSW coast.

Best land based places to see whales

• Hat Head National Park – Little Bay to Smoky Cape, Rainforest Walking Track, Jack Perkins Walking Track
• Crowdy Bay National Park – Geebung picnic area, Mermaid lookout track

Whale Watching tours out of Port/Lake Macquarie

A great boat trip to see whales and dolphins from Lake Macquarie for a couple of hours, check this one out.

Byron Bay and Tweed Area

Byron Bay and the Tweed Area have many spectacular beaches and headlands to spot whales. How spectacular it is seeing whales breaching from the most easterly point in Australia!

Many whales frolic in the ocean off the most easterly point in Australia and the Byron Bay Lighthouse

Best land based spots to see whales in Byron Bay & The Tweed

• Cape Byron State Conservation Area – Cape Byron Lighthouse, Captain Cook lookout and picnic area
• Broken Head Nature Reserve – Three Sisters walking track, Broken Head picnic area

Best Whale Watching Boat Tours from Byron Bay

There is a choice of some great whale watching boat tours available from Byron Bay:

3 hour Whale Watching Safari Byron Bay

2 hour Whale Watching Cruise with a Marine Biologist

For more places to see whales in NSW check out the National Parks of NSW website.

Queensland

Gold Coast

The Gold Coast is one of Australia’s best playgrounds, not only for humans, but for whales in the ocean. It runs from northern NSW into Queensland. And the best time to see the whales is June to November.

Best land based places to see whales

All along the Gold Coast from Coolangatta to Surfers Paradise there are plenty of options for seeing the Humpback whales swimming by.

Best Whale tours from the Gold Coast

There are a number of whale watching tours out of the Gold Coast region including:

2.5 hour Whale Watching Tours

Small group 3.5 hour swim with whales tour – this is the only tour that I am aware of that you can swim with whales.

Brisbane

Whales don’t actually come into Brisbane but they migrate in the waters in the coastal areas such as off Stradbroke Island. Wander along the North Gorge Walk and you can get a great spot on the cliffs to see the whales – don’t forget the binoculars!

Whale watching tours out of Brisbane

Want to see the whales while you are in Brisbane? Check these tours out:

Brisbane Whale Watching Tour with lunch included

Moreton Island, Tangalooma Whale Watching and Dolphin Feeding day

Hervey Bay

Some 4 hours north of Brisbane is Hervey Bay, Queensland which is the Mecca for whale watching in Australia. It is also the first Whale Heritage Site in the world and is a very special place. If you want to see whales in the wild, no other destination can rival the sheer number and quality of whale encounters you will experience in Hervey Bay.

The warm waters in Hervey Bay attract around 7,000 Humpback Whales and their new calves every year. This is the only place in the world where whales stop their migration to rest, give birth and play in the bay’s calm and safe waters. The abundance of whales particularly August to October means you are almost guaranteed to see whales. 

Hervey Bay has many whale tour operators operating out of Urangan Harbour. So whether you are travelling solo, in a couple, with friends or visiting Hervey Bay with kids there is a tour for you. You just need to decide if you want to spend half a day or a full day on the water.

I did a full-day tour from Urangan Harbour into Hervey Bay to see the whales. And I was not disappointed. Morning tea and lunch was served on board but it was the hour or so in the afternoon that was the best seeing the whales breaching and diving and swimming under and around our boat. 

whale showing off around our boat

Best Whales Tours from Hervey Bay

As Hervey Bay is the mecca for whales, there are plenty of whale watching tours to choose from. You could just go whale watching or combine it with a trip to the world’s largest sand island K’gari (Fraser Island).

Full day Whale Watching Cruise that includes morning tea and a buffet lunch

Half day Whale Watching Cruise (3-4 hours)

Full day Fraser Island (K’gari): Remote Island and Whale Experience

Are You Ready to Discover Whales on the Humpback Highway?

There are so many places to see whales along the Humpback Highway on Australia’s east coast that you are spoilt for choice. Have you been whale watching? I’d love to hear.