The Best Places To Go Whale Watching In Sydney And NSW This Winter

In Sydney/Eora, we’re lucky enough to live along the very path the beautiful humpback whale takes during their annual migration from Antarctica to the top of far north Queensland. From May to November each year, pods of humpback whales travel along Australia’s eastern coastline so they can have their calves in warmer waters.

Keen to catch a glimpse? Urban List has pulled together the best spots for whale watching in NSW.

Know what you want? Skip to

• Best Whale Watching In Sydney
• Best Whale Watching On The NSW North Coast
• Best Whale Watching On The Central Coast
• Best Whale Watching On The NSW South Coast
• Best Whale Watching On The NSW Far South Coast

Best Whale Watching In Sydney

Cape Solander

Kurnell

Arguably the best whale-watching spot in all of Sydney, Cape Solander is your go-to for checking out their migration patterns. Get yourself down here during June and July, and you might see a few whales as close as two hundred meters from the coast. We’re not kidding around here.

Insider Intel:

• If the whales aren't coming out to play, this is also a great spot for birdwatching—or just soaking up the beautiful coastline.

Barrenjoey Headland

Palm Beach
 

With nearby Whale Beach, Barrenjoey Headland pretty much speaks for itself. A short bushwalk will lead you to the top of the Headland, where the breathtaking views over Pittwater and Palm Beach are enough to leave you speechless. This spot is notorious for checking out the migration, so bring along your binoculars and set yourself up for some serious whale watching.

Insider Intel:

• Park entry fees don't apply here, but you may need to fork out for parking.

Wedding Cake Rock

Royal National Park

Cameras at the ready, this spot is about to turn up the beauty of whale watching to a whole new level. These sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean are exactly how whale watching should be done.

Insider Intel: 

• Make sure you observe from a safe location—the views here are spectacular, but the rock edge is a little crumbly.

South Head

Port Jackson

If you find yourself at South Head between June and September, whales will probably be the reason you are there. This local hot spot is perfect for soaking up the views and watching a tail slap or two.

Insider Intel:

• Grab your walking shoes and head along the South Head Heritage trail for 180-degree views of Sydney, the Pacific, and Manly.

Best Whale Watching On The NSW North Coast

Broken Head Nature Reserve

Byron Bay

Take a stroll through the rainforest down the Three Sisters walking track and you’ll find yourself at the top of the cliffs that line our beautiful north coast. Broken Head will give you the perfect vantage point to watch the beauties frolic around in the water.

Insider Intel: 

• Make sure to pay the park entry fees, or grab an annual park pass for entry across NSW.

Pat Morton Lookout

Lennox Head

Situated at the southern end of Lennox Head, this lookout will not only give you a killer view over the town, but you’re also pretty much guaranteed to catch whales, dolphins, hang gliders or even have a spot of fishing.

Insider Intel:

• We recommend heading here on weekdays, as the small car park gets chock-a-block on weekends and holidays.

Best Whale Watching On The Central Coast

Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve

Coffs Harbour

While this hotspot is named after the Muttonbird, it’s also spectacular to check out the pods of whales as they migrate up the coast. The 360-degree views are incredible, and on the walkout over the jetty, you might even catch some other marine life swimming below you.

Insider Intel:

• As a seabird rookery, it's also one of the only easily-accessible places in NSW where the migratory wedge-tailed shearwater nests.

Tacking Point Lighthouse

Port Macquarie

This iconic lighthouse is the perf spot to watch a few humpbacks pass by before you soak up the Port Macquarie sunset.

Insider Intel:

• We suggest checking out a few beach coves afterwards as well because the swimming spots around here are unreal (even in the cooler months).

Tomaree Head Summit Walk

Port Stephens

Start your walk on the picturesque Shoal Bay and head up the nature trail to the top of the summit, where you will not only cop some amazing views, but also a few of our favourite ocean friends. 

Insider intel:

• Check out this spot during September and October for an almost guaranteed chance to see a few baby calves.

Best Whale Watching On The NSW South Coast

Seven Mile Beach

Jervis Bay

Jervis Bay is a whale-watching haven, with numerous spots to check out these beauties, and Seven Mile Beach is one of the very best.

Insider intel:

• If you’ve decided to head to Jervis Bay to see the humpbacks, you cannot beat getting up close and personal with them on a boat tour, trust us.

Snapper Point

Batemans Bay

This vantage point will give you unreal views of not only some impressive whales, but also dolphins, eagles, and albatrosses. It’s a real nature mecca.

Insider Intel:

• The lookout is also a great spot to check out the rather impressive Aboriginal landmark, Gulaga Mountain, which is marked as a place of healing.

Wajurda Point Walking Track

Narooma

A short walk up through the eucalypt forest will shoot you out by the lookout where you can spend hours (and hours) watching whales pass by.

Insider Intel:

• Drop by during winter and spring and remember it's BYO binoculars because we guarantee no one will want to go sharesies with you.

Best Whale Watching On The NSW Far South Coast

Boyds Tower

Ben Boyd National Park

If you’ve never trekked it to Ben Boyd National Park, you’re in luck. For newbies, you can scope this full guide but forever whale-watching enthusiasts will already know that Boyds Tower has been dubbed one of the best spots in NSW to watch the great winter whale migration.

Insider Intel:

• If you want to make the most of your time here, you can also start on the Light to Light trail for a number of vantage points and lookouts worth stopping at to catch glimpses of these beautiful ocean creatures.

Tathra Clifftops

Tathra

Whale watching capital of Australia? We’d back that. Tathra is famous for being the home ground for witnessing huge pods of whales coming in hot with all the breaching and tail-waving flukes you could ever hope for.

Insider Intel:

• This area is particularly special because it’s the unofficial rest stop for whales to rest and nurse their bubs as they make their way back to Antarctica for the summer.

Image credit: Destination NSW

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