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Guide · Queensland ·

Whale watching in Hervey Bay: when and how to go

By the Australia Travel Escapes editorial team · Who we are

Whale watching in Hervey Bay runs from July until early November, and late August is a very good time to go. The bay sits on the Queensland coast, between the mainland and Fraser Island. Humpback whales rest here on their long swim south, and boats take visitors out to see them.

This guide explains when the whales arrive, why they stop in the bay, the rules every boat must follow and what to bring on a cruise.

Sources for this section: Queensland Government, ministerial media statement, 30 June 2008.

When the whales arrive

The Queensland Government says the season runs from July until early November. Researchers from the Oceania Project, who work in the bay each year, say they normally expect the whales to start arriving around mid-July. They also say they would not normally expect to see mothers and calves until the end of August.

In August 2004 the same team said the flow of whales that year was steadier and stronger than they had expected. In one week of fieldwork they counted 32 pods and 77 individual humpback whales. Numbers change from year to year, so no operator can promise a sighting on a given day.

If you can pick your dates, think about what you most want to see. If young whales matter to you, choose late August or later, because mothers and calves are not normally seen before then. Ask the tour company what it has been seeing that week.

Sources for this section: Queensland Government, ministerial media statement, 30 June 2008; Southern Cross University, "Humpbacks arriving early in Hervey Bay", 16 August 2004.

Why humpbacks stop in Hervey Bay

Around 8,000 whales travel along the east coast of Australia each year. The government estimates that a third of them enter Hervey Bay. That is a large share of the whole group.

The reason is the water. The government says whales love the bay's sheltered waters, particularly when they have calves travelling with them. Hervey Bay is also known as the birthplace of professional whale watching in Queensland, so the local boats and crews have years of practice.

Sources for this section: Queensland Government, ministerial media statement, 30 June 2008.

The rules for boats near whales

Whales are protected, and the rules apply to every boat, including private ones. They were set out in the Nature Conservation (Whales and Dolphins) Conservation Plan 1997. As that plan was first made, a person in charge of a boat must follow these main points. Rules can be changed, so check the current version before you head out.

Other rules cover people and aircraft. Jet skis must stay at least 300 metres from a whale or dolphin. People must not enter the water within 300 metres of a whale. Small planes may not come closer than 300 metres or lower than 1,000 feet. Helicopters may not come closer than one kilometre or lower than 2,000 feet. The plan also says you must not feed or touch a whale, make a noise likely to disturb it or leave rubbish near it.

These are the limits for the whales' protection, not a target to aim for. Whales are curious, and sometimes they swim up to a boat on their own. When that happens, the skipper of a well-run tour keeps to slow speeds and lets the whale decide what to do next.

Sources for this section: Queensland Government, Nature Conservation (Whales and Dolphins) Conservation Plan 1997, as made (Subordinate Legislation 1997 No. 378).

Choosing a tour

Commercial whale watching needs permission from the government. Under the Marine Parks Regulation 2006, as reprinted on 1 July 2008, the chief executive may grant permission for a whale watching program in Queensland waters between latitude 24°30' south and 25°30' south only if fewer than 20 current authorities apply to those waters. That stretch runs from about 20 km north of Sandy Cape to about 35 km north of Inskip Point, and it takes in Hervey Bay. This limits the number of operators.

Before you book, it helps to ask a few plain questions:

Many people choose a half day cruise, which gives enough time to travel out, spend time with the whales and return. Ask the operator for the exact times, because they differ from boat to boat.

Sources for this section: Queensland Government, Marine Parks Regulation 2006, reprint as in force on 1 July 2008, section 18.

What to bring on a half day cruise

The water can be cooler and windier than the shore, and there is little shade on many decks. A short list covers most days:

Some people feel sick on a boat. This is general information, not medical advice. Anyone who knows they get seasick should talk to a pharmacist or their doctor before the trip, eat a light meal beforehand and tell the crew if they start to feel unwell. Standing near the middle of the boat and looking at the horizon helps many people.

Booking ahead is wise in the school holidays and on weekends, because the most popular sailings fill up. A weekday sailing may feel quieter than a weekend one.

Rules, permits and the whale season can change, so check with the operator and with the Queensland Government before you travel.

Sources

  1. Queensland Government, Ministerial Media Statements, "Bus brings whole new meaning to 'big as a whale' term", 30 June 2008: statements.qld.gov.au
  2. Southern Cross University, "Humpbacks arriving early in Hervey Bay", 16 August 2004: scu.edu.au
  3. Nature Conservation (Whales and Dolphins) Conservation Plan 1997, as made: legislation.qld.gov.au
  4. Marine Parks Regulation 2006, reprint as in force on 1 July 2008: legislation.qld.gov.au