Where To Go Whale Watching In South-East Queensland This Winter
- Family
Queenslanders are very fortunate when in comes to whale watching. Not only do we get hundreds of whales passing up and down the coast each winter, but we also have the mild weather and plenty of sunshine so we can get out on the water and enjoy nature putting on the show. Whales are fantastic animals with fascinating behaviour, if they don’t already love animals, whale watching this winter in South-East Queensland will leave your kids with a life-long love of these sea-dwelling beasts.
Tangalooma Whale Watching | Moreton Island
One of the most unique whale watching experiences in South-East Queensland has to be the Tangalooma Resort day trip. Leaving from Brisbane early in the morning you will take the ferry over to Moreton Island, arriving in Tangalooma in time for the daily bird feeding. Watching the pelicans up close and learning more about sea birds from the ranger is a great way to start to the day. After the bird feeding, you will hop on the whale watching boat and head out around the north of the island to find some whales. This whale watching tour lasts for three hours and includes lunch on the boat. Not only will you get to see lots of whales but also enjoy views of Moreton Island including Cape Moreton (which is the only rocky part of this huge sand island) and the historic lighthouse atop it. After the whale watching, you will have time to enjoy the resort before heading back to Brisbane, and if you purchase the premium package you can also feed the wild dolphins who call Moreton Bay home.
Coolangatta Whale Watch | South Tweed
A locally owned and operated company, the Coolangatta Whale Watch team are knowledgeable and friendly, welcoming guests onboard from June to October each year. The specialised whale-watching vessel and a capped number of guests make for a relaxing experience with plenty of space onboard for excellent whale viewing. The whale watching cruise starts on the Tweed River and crosses the bar before venturing out towards Cook Island in search of migrating whales.
Sea World Whale Cruise | Gold Coast
Departing from the Sea World Cruise Terminal (you don’t have to visit Sea World to access the cruise) four times a day during whale watching season on the Gold Coast, the Sea World Cruise lasts approximately 2.5 hours and you get a free cruise if you don’t see any whales. But with an estimated 20,000 whales migrating past the Gold Coast each year, you are almost guaranteed to spot one between June and October.
Whale One | Mooloolaba
Whale One on the Sunshine Coast not only offers whale watching cruises, but an opportunity to hop in and swim with these huge and majestic mammals. The smaller boat holds just twenty passengers and if you want to swim with the whales, the boat will stop about 100 metres away from the whale and you will jump in with the other passengers and snorkel next to the boat. The swimming is weather dependant, cruisers must be over eight years old, and kids between eight and fifteen have to be accompanied by an adult at all times. Your children also have to be confident swimmers to take part in the swimming with whales tour.
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Image credit: Coolangatta Whale Watch
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