Whale Watching

Warrnambool is known as Victoria's southern right whale nursery. Most years between June and September, female southern right whales return to the waters of Logans Beach near Warrnambool to calve. The whales often swim within 100 metres of the shore and can be viewed from a specially constructed platform in the sand dunes or from the beach. In summer southern right whales live in the sub-Antarctic. In winter they migrate to warmer waters around the southern areas of Australia. The females migrate to the 'nursery' areas close to the shore to bear their calves, while the males, yearlings and young adults remain further out to sea. The females generally stay in the nursery for many weeks, allowing the calves to feed and gather strength for their journey back to the sub-Antarctic waters.
The southern right whale can be recognised by its smooth, black back and lack of a dorsal fin. On the head of each southern right whale are a number of crusty outgrowths called callosities, markings that differ from whale to whale. Irregular white patches sometimes found on the whale's belly distinguish these animals from other species. Whales are protected in Australian waters by Federal and State laws.

Location: Great Ocean Road, Warrnambool, Great Ocean Road area, Victoria, Australia

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