Every winter and spring, tens of thousands of whales travel the Australian
coast on one of the great migrations on Earth — humpbacks and southern right whales moving
between Antarctic feeding grounds and warm northern calving waters. For a few months, the
ocean off almost every state turns into a viewing gallery.
Where you go shapes what you see. Some spots offer breaching humpbacks from a clifftop for
free; others put you in a boat alongside curious mothers and calves, or out among the killer
whales of the deep canyon off Western Australia. We've noted the species and the season for
each, and where Cooee Tours can take you ourselves — starting with Hervey Bay, a short run
from our Fraser Coast base.
01
Hervey Bay
Fraser Coast, Queensland
HumpbacksCalm waterHome turf
Sheltered behind K'gari (Fraser Island), Hervey Bay is one of the world's most celebrated whale-watching destinations — a recognised Whale Heritage Site where humpbacks pause to rest and play on their southern migration. The calm water means smooth boats and 'mugging' encounters where curious whales approach the vessel.
Season runs roughly July to early November, peaking August–October. See our Fraser Coast guide for tours and crossings.
02
Moreton Bay & Brisbane
Moreton Bay, Queensland
HumpbacksDay tripHome turf
The 'Humpback Highway' passes right by Brisbane, and half-day tours from the bay regularly find breaching and tail-slapping humpbacks within sight of the skyline — no overnight trip required.
Best from June to early November. Our Moreton Bay guide has the local operators and departure points.
03
Gold Coast
Queensland
HumpbacksEasy access
The Gold Coast sits directly on the migration path, with frequent half-day tours out of the Broadwater finding active humpbacks close to shore. The high-rises even make a memorable backdrop for the breaches.
June to early November, with calm mornings the pick for a smooth trip.
04
Sydney
New South Wales
HumpbacksCliff viewing
More than 40,000 humpbacks pass Sydney each year. Watch for free from clifftop lookouts at North Head, Cape Solander and the Bondi-to-Coogee walk, or head out on a harbour-based whale cruise.
Peak viewing is May to November, with a northbound surge in June–July and a southbound return, often with calves, in September–November.
05
Eden
Sapphire Coast, New South Wales
HumpbacksThe Stopover
Deep, sheltered Twofold Bay is a rare feeding stop on the southbound migration, so whales linger here longer than almost anywhere — sometimes putting on hours-long displays. The town leans into it with an annual whale festival.
September to November is the standout window on the far south coast of NSW.
06
Port Stephens
New South Wales
HumpbacksDolphins too
A wide, protected bay two and a half hours north of Sydney with a resident bottlenose dolphin population year-round and humpbacks passing close on migration. A reliable, family-friendly option.
Whales May to November; dolphins any time of year.
07
Warrnambool
Great Ocean Road, Victoria
Southern rightsNursery
The Logans Beach nursery is one of the best places in Australia to see southern right whales — mothers bring their calves close to shore, viewable from a purpose-built clifftop platform.
This is a winter affair: roughly June to September, the opposite season to the humpback hotspots up north.
08
Victor Harbor
Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia
Southern rightsShore viewing
Encounter Bay was once a whaling station and is now a stronghold for southern right whales returning to calve. Watch from the shore around the Bluff and the South Australian Whale Centre, an hour from Adelaide.
May to October is the southern right season here.
09
Augusta & Flinders Bay
South West, Western Australia
HumpbacksBlue whales
Where the Indian and Southern oceans meet, Flinders Bay near Augusta hosts one of the largest seasonal humpback aggregations on the planet, and occasionally the mighty blue whale offshore.
Early in the season — roughly June — before the whales move north up the WA coast.
10
Ningaloo
Exmouth, Western Australia
HumpbacksSwim with
Beyond its whale sharks, Ningaloo is one of the few places in the world licensed for in-water humpback whale swims, putting snorkellers in the water (at a respectful, regulated distance) with migrating giants.
Humpback swim season runs roughly August to October; whale sharks March to August.
11
Bremer Bay
South Coast, Western Australia
OrcasDeep canyon
The Bremer Canyon hosts the largest known seasonal gathering of killer whales (orcas) in the Southern Hemisphere, drawn to a nutrient-rich deep-sea upwelling. Full-day expedition boats head out to the pods.
A distinct season from the migratory whales: roughly January to April. Remote, but unlike anything else in the country.
Cooee Tours acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and recognise that the places described here hold deep cultural significance for the First Peoples who have cared for them for tens of thousands of years.
