From Andre the seal to Nemo the clownfish and whatever the hell Flubber was, childhood films have had a good old way of making us fall in love with sea animals. Don’t even get me started on Free Willy. No human friendship has quite measured up.
In case you hadn’t heard, whale watching season is currently happening throughout NSW, meaning now’s your chance to spot some Free Willys IRL. (Well now until November, at least.)
While you can see Dwarf Minkes, Southern Rights and Humpbacks all along the NSW Coastline, there’s definitely better places than others to catch a solid glimpse. Find a spot near you with the list below and heck, take a hike, have a picnic or just enjoy the great outdoors while you’re at it. You’ve been trapped indoors for too long.
BYRON BAY: CAPE BYRON LIGHTHOUSE
Oh sweet, sweet Byron Bay. We’ve all got a story from northern NSW, including but not limited to: dancing on a tabletop at Cheeky Monkeys or downing a 3am kebab from Abra Kebabra. It’s a beautiful place, for many reasons, and its famed lighthouse is no exception. Would you expect anything less from the most easterly point in Australia? Byron’s esteemed panoramic view is perf for turtle, dolphin and whale sighting, as well as a beaut selfie or 27 while you’re up there.
COFFS: LOOK AT ME NOW HEADLAND
Any destination called “Look At Me Now” is a place I wanna go to tbh, if not for the Facebook check-in alone. While you can spot whales all along the scenic walk (or hike, if you will) of Monee Beach’s Nature Reserve, the headland is a primo spot to take a breather and really have a geez out into that ocean. When you’re done workin’ up a sweat, hit up the lil’ town of Woolgoolga, known affectionately by locals as Woopi, and take a dive, snorkel, what have you, in the beach.
PORT STEPHENS: TOMAREE HEAD SUMMIT
A little over halfa from Newwy, Tomaree National Park is definitely a goer should you wanna take in some whales + lush views of Port Stephens / the north coast. The short walk to the lookout is well worth the AMAZING BUNS OF STEEL YOU’LL ACQUIRE and well, the scenery. Take some grub up and enjoy a pretty picnic. While you’re in the area, check out Wallarah National Park’s Coastal Walking Track.
SYDNEY: CAPE SOLANDER
Kamay Botany Bay National Park‘s hotspot is famed as one of Sydney‘s best whale watching vantage points and for good reason – whales have been known to swim as close as 200m from the coast here. It’s just south of the hustle and bustle of the city too, so an easy tack on to any trip or errand run.
BATEMANS BAY: MURRAMARANG NATIONAL PARK
If you like a bit of cliffs, headlands and pristine beaches with your whale watching then you’ve come to the right place. Murramarang National Park offers 44km of stunning coastline near Batemans Bay, and Snapper Point‘s the best for spotting migrating whales.
EDEN: GREEN CAPE LIGHTSTATION
In Ben Boyd National Park – just a short drive from Eden – you’ll find the Green Cape Lightstation, a historic site built way (wayyy) back in 1883 when your, you know, grandma was alive and kicking. Being perched up on the peninsula and all, it makes for one heck of a spot for whale watching. If you’re from outta town, stay overnight at Green Cape Lightstation Keeper’s Cottages and you will be at one with nature / the whales from the second you open those eyes.
We also suggest you download the free Wild about Whales app, which updates you on whenever there is a whale sighted near you in real time. You’ve got until November, good dudes of the internet, before breeding season starts up again next May. Until then?
