Can you see Whales from Fraser Island?
Yes you can! Fraser Island is off the coast at Hervey Bay, which is one of the most popular areas in Australia where tourist go whale watching.
This makes, our island home, Fraser island ideal to see the great southern humpback whales as they migrate north.
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Where to see Humpbacks Whales on Fraser Island
Best viewing spots on Fraser Island are :
You can get a great view of the whales as they frolic in the waters off Fraser Island.
Indian Head Lookout
At Indian Head you can sit upon the huge cliffs and watch the whales playing and breeching with each other.
It’s a brilliant viewing platform. You see the whales right there. Sit and watch these majestic creatures. Take some great photos of them and soak in the spectacular views.
It’s also a good idea to bring your binoculars, some water and a snack because you might spend more time there than you planned.
Waddy Point
Another great viewing spot is the rocks on Waddy Point near Orchid Beach. It’s an easy climb up onto the rocks with a lovely view out into the ocean.
Often the whales will come in close to the point as they make their way into the calm waters of the bay.
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Platypus Bay
Platypus Bay is on the western side of the island and can be accessed from Orchid Beach via the Wathumba track.
Not only is it a spectacular location with azure waters and white sand, but it is the playground for the whales and their calves.
This bay is where most of the tour operators come from Hervey Bay for spotting. Pack a picnic, put on your swimmers and spend the day watching the whales frolic about in crystal clear waters.
What to Bring Whale Watching?
We have listed some items you might need on a day of whale watching.
- Binoculars and a camera
- Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
- Food, snacks and a water bottle
Get yourself prepared as you might spend more time watching than you might have planned on.
What time of the year is whale watching season?
To see a Humpback whale up close is an amazing, intimate experience and an activity that is a must do if you are in the Fraser Coast region from;
- Late July to early November
The whales leave the cold waters of Antarctica and make the 5000km journey north to their breeding ground in the warmer waters of the Queensland coast.
During the first few months of the season you will see pods of mainly adults and pregnant mothers.
Then in the later months as the whales turn around and venture back south again they will be accompanied by their newborn calves.
What is the best time of day to go whale watching?
There is not ‘right’ time to go whale watching. Whales can be spotted all day long on Fraser Island.
However, if you’re taking a whale watching guided tour, then the mornings is considered better. As the sea tends to be a bit calmer in the mornings. Which makes viewing a little more pleasurable.
Whale Watching Packages
Booking a professional and reputable whale watching tour is an unobtrusive way to have interactions with these mammals without having a negative affect on their habitat and lifestyle.
You will also be able to take some amazing photos and videos of your encounter watching the whales slapping and waving.
There are many whale watching tours to choose from in the Hervey Bay and Fraser Coast region.
The tourist information centres have valuable information on all the tours options that are available.
Online tour bookings at Whale watch, has a great Fraser Island whale watching package that comes highly recommended.
The special is called “Fraser + Whales package” and gives you two wonders in one; the up close and personal viewing of the humpback migration and 2 nights on Fraser island with accommodation from your base at Kingfisher Resort on the island.
PACKAGE INCLUSIONS:
- 2 nights resort hotel accommodation twin share
- Hot buffet breakfast daily
- Return passenger ferry transfers ex River Heads
- Half-day whale watch cruise (shuttle transfers leave from reception to the jetty head)
- Once on-board, ask the Whale Cruise staff about purchasing an upgrade to a swim with the whales experience (and don’t forget to take your swimmers and a towel).
Learn About Humpback Whales off Fraser Island
The Fraser Island Humpbacks belong to a group of mammals called Cetacea. This group includes all whales, dolphins and porpoises.
There are two distinct populations of Humpback whales, the Southern hemisphere Humpbacks and the Northern hemisphere Humpbacks.
It’s estimated over 1200 great southern humpback migrate north each year. They come from Antarctica to give birth to their young in the warm Queensland waters during our winter. Then they return south again (babies in toe) for the Antarctic summer.
They are majestic marine mammals. Warm blooded and breathe air just like other mammals. They also give birth to live young that suckle milk from their mothers.
Humpbacks are the 5th largest of all the whales and they can grow up to 15 meters in length and up to 4 Tonnes in weight.
They are easy to identify with their huge pectoral fins and a massive head covered in tubercles ( lumpy growths the size of golf balls ).
Humpbacks also have no teeth, instead they have hundreds of thin plates called Baleen.
They gulp huge amounts of water that is then filtered and sieved through the baleen that traps the food and expels the water.
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