Southern Queensland SUPERYACHT GUIDE

LOCATION / TOPIC

Whales up close and personal in Hervey Bay

The months between July and November are whale-watching months on the east coast of Australia when humpback whales migrate north up the coast to calve, then head back down south for the summer. During these months, up and down the east coast, whale-watching communities come alive to spot the whales on the move. The Fraser Coast, however, stands out above other locations for whale-watching as it is here around Fraser Island that the whales actually stop and rest in the calm waters with their calves to nurture them and teach them vital life skills before heading back out to sea for their long journey south. Because this stage of their migration takes place in Hervey Bay, it became the first certified Whale Heritage Site in 2019 as one of the best whale-watching destinations in the world. Humpback whales can measure up to 16m in length and can weigh up to 30,000kg. While resting in Hervey Bay, the whales are often more playful and curious and will sometimes come in closer to vessels.

Private whale-watching experiences can be arranged through many operators including Kingfisher Bay Resort and Hervey Bay Whale Watch , with Hervey Bay Whale Watch offering a ‘swim with the whales’ encounter. kingfisherbay.com/fraser-island-activities/eco- tours/whale-watching.html

Platypus Bay is the wide sweeping bay on the inside northern reaches of Fraser Island and is a popular anchorage with locals, usually off from the Wathumba Creek area. It is a secluded and protected anchorage for overnight stays and the depth drops off quite quickly from the beach. There is a campground at Wathumba Creek and visitors can go ashore and enjoy the beach. Platypus Bay is also a popular resting spot for the humpback whales and, once the day trippers return to port, the inquisitive whales can come up to the remaining vessels at anchor giving an up close and more personal whale-watching encounter. There are restrictions on vessels in marine parks operating around whales . Refer to the Whale Migration Advice on observed distances and the reporting of any incidents. Both are located under the Notice to Mariners Notice to Mariners / Southeast Queensland Outside Pilotage Areas and to the Great Sandy Marine Park brochure . publications.qld.gov.au/dataset/south-east- queensland-outside-pilotage-areas-notices-to- mariners

herveybaywhalewatch.com.au

Fraser Coast

The annual Hervey Bay Whale Festival is a busy list of activities in August every year and includes the Whale Parade and Concert, Paddle Out, Seafood Festival and Blessing of the Fleet.

visitfrasercoast.com/whales-hervey-bay

herveybaywhalefestival.com.au

whaleheritagesites.org/hervey-bay

parks.des.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_ file/0014/161150/gsmp-vis-guide.pdf

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SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND SUPERYACHT GUIDE