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Whale Watching
Whale Watching Tours in Australia
The sheer volume of whales along both coastlines makes Australia a haven for whale watching enthusiasts. With 30 species of whale found in Australian waters, including 9 baleen whales and 21 toothed whales, Australia is an ideal destination for a whale watching tour.
Many of these whale species are transient, with both Southern Right and Humpback whales famed for their incredible migratory journeys from Antartica's nutrient rich waters. Actually, the world's largest population of Humpback Whales, estimated to be more than 30,000 individuals, migrates off the coast of Western Australia, to breed in the warmer regions of the Kimberley coast. Similarly, on the East Coast, more than 20,000 Humpback Whales migrate to the Coral Sea, over 2,500km (1,500 miles) each way.
Humpback Whales are an extremely popular species to spot on our Australian whale watching tours, known for their spectacular breaching of their bodies that weigh up to 40 tonnes. They can be observed on their annual migrations from our popular East Coast whale watching destinations such as Sydney Harbour, Phillip Island, Wilsons Promontory and the Great Barrier Reef.
There is also fabulous West Coast Whale Watching with Bremer Bay on the south coast of Western Australia, boasting one of the most astonishing aggregations of marine life. From January to April, travellers can reliably encounter Killer Whales (Orcas) with Sperm Whales, Long-finned Pilot Whales and rare Beaked Whales also sighting opportunities.
In the Margaret River region, the picturesque seaside town of Augusta is one of the best locations in Australia to view Humpback Whale Watch from late May, with Dunsborough also providing the opportunity to see Humpback Whales and the largest animal on earth, the Blue Whale, as they escort calves born in Australia’s north-west back to Antarctica. Recently, the Australian Government permitted approved operators to swim with Humpbacks across various regions including Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia.
Southern Right Whales also migrate from June-August from the far Southern Ocean feeding close to Antarctica. They are common to the Great Australian Bight, Western Eyre Peninsula and Southwest Western Australia in the Margaret River region, but can also be seen sporadically off Phillip Island and Kangaroo Island. Orcas, False Killer Whales, Minke Whales and Pilot Whales can also be seen occasionally during whale watching tours across these regions.
Below you will see a signature collection of Australian Wildlife Journey’s whale watching tours. We have a diverse range of experienced tour guides that accommodate some of the most popular whale watching Australia spots, who are passionate about educating travellers about actions that we can all take to preserve these amazing marine mammals.
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Wildlife Interests: Marine Mammals
Augusta Whale Watching
From $64 USD
2.5 hours (approx)
Wildlife Interests: Marine Mammals
Augusta Whale Watching
From $64 USD
2.5 hours (approx)
The picturesque seaside town of Augusta is one of the best locations in Australia to view Humpback Whales as they make their epic migration north, filling the beautiful Flinders Bay area.
Each year from late May, you will experience male Humpback Whales competing for the attention of females through various...Read more
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Wildlife Interests: Marine Mammals
Bremer Canyon Killer Whale Expedition
From $280 USD
Full Day (approx 8 hours)
Wildlife Interests: Marine Mammals
Bremer Canyon Killer Whale Expedition
From $280 USD
Full Day (approx 8 hours)
The Bremer Canyon has become one of the most sought-after whale watching expeditions across the globe, with over 100 Killer Whales (Orcas) returning to the submarine canyon each year from December to April; the only place in Australia where you can regularly encounter Killer Whales in the wild.
During the...Read more
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Wildlife Interests: Marine Mammals
Dunsborough Whale Watching
From $64 USD
2.5 Hours (approx)
Wildlife Interests: Marine Mammals
Dunsborough Whale Watching
From $64 USD
2.5 Hours (approx)
The tranquil waters off the beautiful town of Dunsborough, provide the perfect backdrop for travellers to regularly observe Humpback Whales, Southern Right Whales and the possibility of spotting the largest ever creature on earth, the Blue Whale, as they escort calves born in southward to Antarctica from October onwards.
It...Read more
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Hervey Bay Private Charter
From $1,620 USD
Custom
Hervey Bay Private Charter
From $1,620 USD
Custom
Design your own fully customised charter with our certified Marine Naturalists and Marine Biologists, with the option to cover activities such as snorkelling, birdwatching and sunset cruising, or themes such as the geography of K'gari (formerly Fraser Island) and surrounding waterways, the region's European and Indigenous history, or other educational...
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Wildlife Interests: Marine Mammals
Humpback Whale Swim and Watching
From $320 USD
Full Day - Ningaloo & Exmouth
Wildlife Interests: Marine Mammals
Humpback Whale Swim and Watching
From $320 USD
Full Day - Ningaloo & Exmouth
A staggering 30,000 west coast Humpback Whales migrate through to the Ningaloo region and start to rest after their long migration from the Antarctic and this is your chance to snorkel with these majestic creatures!
Mothers will typically move their calves into the Gulf area at Exmouth over these months,...Read more
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Wildlife Interests: Marine Mammals
Ultimate Hervey Bay Whale Watching
From $74 USD
3 hours
Wildlife Interests: Marine Mammals
Ultimate Hervey Bay Whale Watching
From $74 USD
3 hours
Explore the world’s first declared Whale Heritage Site at Hervey Bay, known for coming alive with thousands of Humpback Whales between July and October. This region is known for having some of the most active and inquisitive whales found anywhere across the globe, with breaches, whale songs and muggings common...
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Western Australia Explorer
From $5,985 USD
11 days/10 nights
Western Australia Explorer
From $5,985 USD
11 days/10 nights
Explore the wild and wonderful Western Australia! This 11 day, 10 night holiday package features incredible marine wildlife encounters across three iconic regions - Perth, the Ningaloo Reef (Exmouth) and Margaret River.
Tick off one of the greatest interactive marine encounters, swimming with Whale Sharks or Humpback Whales, or watch...Read more
For further information about species that you can encounter across different seasons and regions, visit our Marine Mammals section.