The blustering wintery days are becoming few and far between as spring pops her cute little head out to play, and with a rise in temperatures just around the corner it’s also the best time to go whale watching in Sydney!
If you thought this time of year was fun for humans, imagine how exciting it is to be a whale fresh from birthing a calf in warm, tropical Queensland waters! Yeah, ok, it is kind of hard to imagine being in that position, but luckily for those who live on or near the coast you have the opportunity to see these new mamas as they travel down south again after their winter migration up north.
There are loads of areas in and around Sydney to spot whales on their journey to cooler waters and if you are extra lucky, you may even get to see a newborn calf or two. It's estimated more than 25,000 whales complete the migration every year, so the odds are in your favour!
Whale watching season in Sydney
In Sydney, the whale migration is between May and November.
- During May, June and July, the whales are heading north from Antarctica, to the warmer waters in tropical north Queensland.
- Around August, they're busy in the breeding grounds of far north Queensland.
- September, October and November, they're heading south again back to Antarctica.
To make it super easy for you, we've got the best lookout spots to whale watch from land, AND the best whale watching cruises to jump aboard. Let's do it!
Here are the best whale watching cruises in and around Sydney:
- Sydney
- Port Stephens
- Jervis Bay
- Eden Coast
Here are the best lookouts for whales in Sydney and its surrounds:
- Palm Beach
- Royal National Park
- Manly
- North Bondi
- Bouddi National Park
- Vaucluse
Whale watching cruises in & around Sydney:
1. Sydney
See magnificent whales just out of Sydney’s CBD
When finding a spot on the coastline and having to look for whales in choppy water gets a bit much, leave it to the professionals and catch a whale-watching cruise from the heart of Sydney!
Aboard a catamaran with an all-weather lounge and two open-air decks, you will be whisked away to the whales’ playgrounds with plenty of opportunities to see them at their happiest and most free.
Your knowledgeable guides will ensure you don’t miss any sightings and you may even spot some dolphins and seals, too.
Meeting Point
- Darling Harbour King St Wharf No. 2
How To Get There
- An easy 5-10 minute walk from Wynyard Station
Travel time from Sydney
- Zero.... it is smack bang in the heart of Sydney's CBD
2. Port Stephens
Whales and dolphins are plentiful around Port Stephens - don't forget your camera!
Sydney isn’t the only place to go whale watching, in fact, the entire New South Wales coastline has awesome areas to view the migration from.
On any given day you can usually spot bottle nose dolphins bobbing in and out of the water in the Port Stephens region at places like Nelson Bay, Corlette and Shoal Bay, but whales are also regularly spotted in and around these waters, too.
If you want to increase your chances of seeing a whale up close (while still maintaining a safe distance for you and the animals) hop on a whale-watching cruise and head out to the deeper oceans where these curious beasts frolic.
Whale watching Port Stephens-style means you might even come across a humpback whale, whose mammoth size will thrill even the most jaded nature voyeur.
If you would prefer to keep your feet on dry land, a visit to Tomaree Head Summit in Tomaree National Park will give you an uninterrupted view. It's one of the best places to spot whales as they make their journey south.
Meeting Point
- Depends on your cruise of choice, however, most cruises depart from D'Albora Marinas
How To Get There
- By car, jump onto the M1 - Port Stephens is about 200km north of Sydney.
- By public transport, jump on the train to Newcastle and then switch to the B130 bus to Fingal Bay/ Port Stephens
Travel time from Sydney
- Approx 2.5 hrs by car
3. Jervis Bay, South Coast
Be ready to spot whales from all angles on this tour
With moves like ‘pectoral slaps’ and ‘body rolls,’ you’d be forgiven for thinking you were headed to a hip hop dance comp and not a whale-watching expedition, but these majestic mammals know that all eyes are on them and they aren’t afraid to work it.
You can check out the whales and all their spins and twirls with a whale watching tour around the south coast’s Jervis Bay.
Cruise past serene white beaches, rugged cliff faces and national parkland as you make your way to known whale spotting areas. Once you arrive you will be surprised at how close the cheeky creatures love to get to the boats, which makes for unbelievable photo ops. They’ll be so close you may even hear them sing – that’s quite a lot of entertainment for one small price!
Meeting Point
- 58 Owen St, Huskisson, NSW
How To Get There
- By car, jump onto the A1 / Princes Hwy - Jervis Bay is about 180km south of Sydney.
- By public transport, catch the South Coast train line from Redfern Station all the way to Bomaderry (you'll need to switch in Kiama), and then jump on the B102 bus which will drop you on Owen St in Huskisson
Travel time from Sydney
- Approx 2.5 hrs by car
4. Eden
Killer whales have a long and interesting history with Eden
If you don’t spot whales in Eden then it might be time to get your eyes checked because it is *the* whale capital of New South Wales – it even has a killer whale museum that has been in operation for more than 80 years.
To see whales in the wild in this very southern part of NSW you can try your luck at these spots:
- Along the waterfront at Twofold Bay
- Head into Ben Boyd National Park to nab a spot right on the shoreline
- Green Cape Lighthouse, where best views of the Sapphire Coast can be found.
If you do want to head out on the bay for a whale and dolphin watching cruise in Eden, try this one.
Meeting Point:
- Meet the boat at 253 Imlay Street, Snug Cove, Port of Eden, NSW
How to get there:
- By car, head south on the M31/ Princes Hwy for around 550km
- By public transport... hire a car instead... no one needs 9hrs of the bus.
Travel time from Sydney:
- Approx 6hrs by car from Sydney CBD
Best lookouts for whales in Sydney and its surrounds:
1. Palm Beach
Whales migrate through Sydney between May and November each year.
The views from the most northern point of Palm Beach, in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, are some of the best to get your whale watch on in Sydney. Entry to the National Park is free and if you make your way towards Barrenjoey Lighthouse, you can’t go wrong!
Make a day of it and pack a picnic, or if you’d prefer to set off on a guided tour, let an experienced guide show you the way with a Palm Beach bushwalking and cultural heritage tour.
Keep your eyes peeled as you hike to the Barrenjoey lighthouse
2. Royal National Park
Curra Moors loop track in the Royal National Park is perfect for whale watching. Image credit: David Finnegan
Another of Sydney’s national parks with stellar views of the wide, open ocean is the Royal National Park, just south of the city.
This Park contains numerous walking tracks for all fitness and ability levels, many of which follow the coast or end up at the water’s edge. Get those steps up and enjoy the thrill of seeing whales in the wild all in the same day! There are spotting opps galore, but if you're after the ultimate (and easy) whale watching look out with little to no hiking involved, our pick is Providential Point Lookout. Simply park at Wattamolla Beach and follows the signs up to whale watching bliss.
For a much more leisurely (and ultra luxurious) way of seeing the Royal National Park, you can take a private tour, which includes the highlights of Sydney's South Coast as well as the Southern Highlands. If you're reaaalllly missing feeling like a tourist - then this one is for you.
3. Manly
Manly is just 11 km from Sydney’s CBD and has stunning beaches and national parks.
If you are craving a view of the ocean and city skyline that will make you feel like you’re a world away from the hustle and bustle of the CBD, make the trip to North Head Sanctuary and follow the path until you hit Fairfax Lookout. Here you will find some of Sydney’s most secluded and pristine coastline, which makes it one of the best spots in Sydney to whale watch.
Once you've finished whale-watching, head to the iconic Manly Corso for some people-watching... and an ice cream of course! From there, it's just a hop, skip and jump to the ferry wharf to head back via ferry to Circular Quay or Barangaroo - make sure you grab a return ticket so you're all sorted!
4. North Bondi
The early bird gets the... best shot! Head to Bondi just after sunrise for the best chance to see the whales in action.
It is highly unlikely that you will see any humpbacks riiight near Bondi Beach, but luckily for us nature enthusiasts the whales can’t avoid swimming near this big stretch of coastline on their way down south.
If you are in the Bondi area and want to try your hand at some whale watching, the trick is to head to the highest point at Ben Buckler Point Lookout where, on a calm and still morning, you will have the best chance of spotting these gentle giants. Early in the morning is best to catch a glimpse (and avoid those Bondi crowds). Top the morning off with a healthy and oh-so-Bondi breaky at a local cafe and you’ve got the perfect way to kickstart the weekend!
If you don’t manage to sneak a peek at the whales as they pass by, a sure way to feel at one with the ocean is with a surf lesson at iconic Bondi Beach.
5. Bouddi National Park, Central Coast
There’s more than just whales to be seen on a trip to Bouddi National Park. Image credit: Tim Patch
Gerrin Point Lookout, within Bouddi National Park, features loads of high-up vantage points so you can catch those whales as they cruise down the coast. Whales aren’t the only glorious part of nature you’ll spot as, in Spring this park comes alive with wildflowers sprinkled throughout the bush, stimulating the landscape and livening up the walking tracks. Don’t forget your camera!
To fully immerse in this stunning landscape, book a tour with Girri Girra Aboriginal Experiences, a 100 per cent Aboriginal-owned company. Their tours are a great way to learn about the important Aboriginal cultural sites and ancient stories - with each step you will gain a progressive understanding of Aboriginal society and culture.
6. Vaucluse
The lighthouse at Watson's Bay is a great spot to whale watch
The Gap, at Vaucluse, is a spectacular lookout even when there aren’t any whales migrating. Walk the South Head Heritage Trail (don’t worry, it’s an easy one!) which finishes up at the famous red and white striped lighthouse. Here you will find the best panoramic ocean views and will give yourself ample opportunities to spot any passing whales.
If you've got time on your side, why not conquer the epic Bondi to Manly walk? It hugs Sydney's spectacular coastline and there will be so many whale watching view points along the way - the perfect excuse for a breather!
Or if you've had enough of looking at the water, and want to be on it, book a half day kayaking tour. You don't need any previous experience to explore Sydney Harbour by sea kayak.
Whale watching around Sydney is fairly easy as there are so many great viewing spots and cruises you can do. No matter your budget you will be able to spot these majestic creatures in and around Sydney's famous waters.
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