While there are a variety of whale watching hotspots around the country, Hervey Bay on Queensland's Fraser Coast has long been renowned as one of the best places to experience close whale encounters.
Hervey Bay is a charming coastal town with sheltered beaches and bays perfect for swimming, sailing and snorkelling.
The town caters well for its visitors with great cafes, restaurants, parks, playgrounds, quaint piers and the marina to enjoy.
Handily located in close proximity to a number of natural wonders including UNESCO's World Heritage-listed Fraser Island and Lady Elliot Island, which are located just off the coast of Hervey Bay.
Whales make their way to the waters of Hervey Bay from late July, August, September, October and early November each year. There are a number of tour operators in the region who offer boat trips out to whale watching hotspots.
Whales that find their way to Hervey Bay can include minkes, brydes, migaloo, false killer and killer whales, melonhead whales, sperm whales and of course the mighty humpbacks, which can grow to over between 15 and 25 metres in length. Some species are spotted more than others. For example, false killer and melonhead whales are only seen once every few years.
According to Whalesong Cruises, late July and September are great months for seeing young whales up close and at play. From September to November, sightings of mothers, calves and big bull escorts are common. These months are great for witnessing the maternal instincts of these creatures and seeing plenty of energetic babies splashing about in the surf.
Late in the whale watching season you might also catch a glimpse of a male fighting for a female whale's attention, with the men battling it out, racing each other, diving and lunging in spectacular displays you will never forget.
While whales are certainly incredibly impressive, they likely won't be the only wildlife you will see on your travels! Dolphins are common too, including bottlenose and Indo-Pacific varieties.
Take a whale watching tour of your choice. There are half and full day cruise options on offer with food and drink available so you can watch whales in ultimate comfort.
Make your holiday in the region special by staying at Mantra Hervey Bay. Located on Buccaneer Drive, it's in an ideal position to enjoy all that this stunning area has to offer. Gaze out of your room's window to the ocean and enjoy the facilities including an outdoor heated lagoon pool and children's pool. BreakFree Great Sandy Straits is another fantastic option for placing yourself right near the whales. Offering self-contained studio, one, two and three bedroom apartments, along with two tropical pools and located right in the heart of Hervey Bay, it's a great option for your whale watching holiday.
After a magical day out whale watching and exploring the region, there's nothing like unwinding in the comfort of a lovely hotel room or apartment. Choose from a hotel room, or a one, two or three bedroom apartment, perfect for couples and families. From private breezy balconies to spa baths and kitchenettes, there are plenty of amazing features for you to enjoy.
http://www.environment.gov.au/topics/marine/marine-species/cetaceans/whale-and-dolphin-watching http://www.ifaw.org/sites/default/files/whale_watching_worldwide.pdf http://www.australianwhalewatching.com.au/whale-watching-season/ http://www.environment.gov.au/topics/marine/marine-species/cetaceans/whale-and-dolphin-watching https://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/wildlife/animals-az/whales.html http://wildwhales.org/minke-whale/