Yamba Whale Watch Ocean Adventures, YambaCredit: Destination NSW
Humpback whales migrating north off the coast of Yamba on the state's North Coast.
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From May to November, thousands of whales migrate along the New South Wales coast from Antarctica to the South Pacific and back again. From Tweed Heads in the north to Eden in the south, you can observe the ‘Humpback Highway’ from lookouts on land (see the Wild About Whales website to find the best vantage points), or hop aboard a cruise to see these gentle giants up close.
Spot whales on the North Coast
In far northern NSW, hop aboard the catamaran George Bass to spot whales with Coolangatta Whale Watch, boarding in Tweed Heads, an 8.5-hour drive (or 1.5-hour flight) north of Sydney.
Spot whales from Cape Byron, the Australian mainland’s most easterly point, a 40-minute drive south of Tweed Heads, and on small cruise tours such as Whale Watching Byron Bay and Blue Bay Whale Watching, which departs from the pretty village of Brunswick Heads. If watching whales from a kayak is more your thing, head out with Go Sea Kayak Byron Bay or Cape Byron Kayaks.
A half-hour drive south of Byron Bay, Ballina is home to the Ballina Head and Black Head lookouts — both good for spotting whales. Or join a cruise with Out of the Blue Adventures, accompanied by a marine biologist.
At Iluka Bluff, an hour’s drive south of Ballina, you’ll find a dedicated whale-watching platform with outstanding views. Wooli Deep Sea Tours takes visitors out on the water to spot whales and explore the beautiful Solitary Islands Marine Park.
How about swimming alongside humpback whales? At Jetty Dive in Coffs Harbour, a 5.5-hour drive north of Sydney, you can don a wetsuit, mask and fins, and slide into the water alongside whales. The curious creatures often glide right up to the swimmers to take a closer look.
Port Macquarie is the halfway point between Sydney and Byron Bay (four hours from either) and has a 9km Coastal Walk that is dotted with vantage points perfect for whale spotting. Cruise on Port Jet Cruise Adventures’ Wave Rider, one of the fastest commercial whale-watching boats around, or get a bird’s-eye view with Port Macquarie Seaplanes.
At Port Stephens, 2.5 hours from Sydney, grab your binoculars and head to Tomaree Head, Barry Park at Fingal Bay, Fishermans Bay, Birubi Point or Boat Harbour Headland. Cruise operators include Moonshadow-TQC Cruises, and Aquamarine Adventures.
In the city of Newcastle, two hours north of Sydney, NOVA Cruises heads out to spot whales in the open water. For great views from dry land, head to Shepherds Hill lookout, popular with locals.
Whale watching, Newcastle Credit: Newcastle Council
Whale watching at Newcastle harbour
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Whale watching, Newcastle Credit: Newcastle Council
Whale watching at Newcastle harbour
Whale Watching Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Whale watching off-shore in Sydney.
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Whale Watching Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Whale watching off-shore in Sydney.
Watch for whales in Sydney
Sit back and watch the whales pass by from the lookouts at Sydney Harbour’s North and South Head. At the tip of the Northern Beaches, Barrenjoey Head at Palm Beach offers an elevated viewpoint. For on-the-water experiences, FantaSea Cruising, Bass & Flinders Cruises, Sydney Princess Cruises and Manly Ocean Adventures are just some of the whale-watching cruise boats that leave from Circular Quay, Darling Harbour and Manly.
See whales on the South Coast
Jervis Bay, a three-hour drive south of Sydney, is halfway along the whales’ 4,000km migration route, and whales often stop here to rest and play with newborn calves. You can swim with whales with Dive Jervis Bay, or head out with cruise operators such as Jervis Bay Wild. Head to Penguin Head at Culburra Beach or the viewing platform in Booderee National Park to watch from the shore.
Joined to the mainland by a sand bar, Broulee Island, two hours south of Jervis Bay, is another great vantage point. At Toragy Point, a panoramic lookout has information about whales and marine life as well as great views.
An hour’s drive further south, Narooma Charters runs whale-watching tours to stunning Montague Island. Also near Narooma, you can learn about the significance of whales in Aboriginal culture, through Ngaran Ngaran Culture Awareness, which includes Whale Dreaming ceremonies as part of its tours during the whale-watching season.
At the coastal town of Merimbula, Sapphire Coastal Adventures offers a 100 per cent whale spotting guarantee. It’s an 80-minute drive south of Narooma or less than six hours from Sydney.
Last but not least is Eden, half an hour south of Merimbula. Whales are a huge part of the history of this small town, which was a whaling centre for centuries before becoming a whale-watching hub. In calm Twofold Bay, calves get a rest and whales feed before their final leg back to Antarctica. Take a self-drive tour along the Killer Whale Trail that takes you to five historic whaling sites, or get out on the water with Cat Balou Cruises or Freedom Charters. The Eden Whale Festival in October–November has events including a land-based whale-spotting tour and tours of historic Davidson Whaling Station, plus food, entertainment, music, film and fireworks.
Swimming with Whales in Jervis Bay Highlights Credit: Destination NSW
Experience the once in a lifetime opportunity to Swim with Whales.
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Swimming with Whales in Jervis Bay Highlights Credit: Destination NSW
Experience the once in a lifetime opportunity to Swim with Whales.
Whale Watching, Jervis Bay Credit: Jordan Robins
Humpback whale breaching off Jervis Bay on the south coast of NSW.
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Whale Watching, Jervis Bay Credit: Jordan Robins
Humpback whale breaching off Jervis Bay on the south coast of NSW.
Ngaran Ngaran Culture Awareness, Narooma Credit: Destination NSW
Experience a Whale Dreaming ceremony on a Ngaran Ngaran Culture Awareness tour.
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Ngaran Ngaran Culture Awareness, Narooma Credit: Destination NSW
Experience a Whale Dreaming ceremony on a Ngaran Ngaran Culture Awareness tour.
Newcastle Memorial Walk, NewcastleCredit: Destination NSW
The scenic coastline of the city of Newcastle with views of Merewether beach.
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Golden beaches, postcard-perfect ocean pools, a busy harbour and intriguing history make New South Wales’ second-largest city, Newcastle, a favourite travel destination just 170km north of Sydney. It’s also the gateway to some of the state’s best wines, 50km northwest in the Hunter region, and yet more beaches and whale-watching waters in Port Stephens, 60km to the northeast. Regardless of whether you’re a gourmand, adventure enthusiast or lover of luxury, here is a guide to discovering Newcastle— and beyond.
Newcastle
Take a dip in Bogey Hole: There are more than 100 ocean baths across New South Wales, but none are quite as enticing— or important— as Newcastle’s Bogey Hole. Thought to be the oldest of its kind in Australia, this sea-fed pool was cut into the rocks off Shepherds Hill by convicts in 1819. Splash about in the turquoise water, or soak up views of the coastline from any number of cliffside perches; just arrive early in summer, as it’s a popular place to cool off.
Get cultural in Cooks Hill: The inner-city neighbourhood of Cooks Hill is distinguished by its lovely leafy streets, lined with grand Victorian mansions and timber cottages home to some of the city’s most happening restaurants, bars and cafes. In between you’ll discover the Newcastle Art Gallery (with a collection of more than 6,000 works), bookshops and independent galleries. Small wonder it draws an eclectic crowd.
Explore the Honeysuckle precinct: Once a busy industrial area, the Honeysuckle precinct has been reinvented as Newcastle’s hippest waterfront hangout. Many visit to walk, cycle or rollerblade along foreshore promenades— many more arrive to gaze over the busy harbour from buzzing restaurants and bars. You’ll also find the Newcastle Museum here, hosting an exciting calendar of permanent and temporary exhibitions.
Stay a stone’s throw from the ocean as well as the city’s attractions at Novotel Newcastle Beach, featuring contemporary and well-appointed guestrooms and modern Australian dining at Bistro Dalby.
Newcastle Highlights Credit: Destination NSW
Newcastle is the perfect place for a weekend getaway.
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Newcastle Highlights Credit: Destination NSW
Newcastle is the perfect place for a weekend getaway.
Camel Riding, Port Stephens Credit: Destination NSW
Sunset camel riding experience with in Anna Bay, Port Stephens.
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Camel Riding, Port Stephens Credit: Destination NSW
Sunset camel riding experience with in Anna Bay, Port Stephens.
Port Stephens
Cruise out to see whales: Every year between May and November, more than 25,000 humpback and southern right whales steam up and down Australia’s east coast on their annual migration. While you’ll likely spot them breaching and blowing from the shore (the headland in Tomaree National Park is an ideal lookout), there’s nothing quite as exhilarating as getting within a flipper of these majestic creatures on a cruise— there are a number of Port Stephens operators to choose from.
Stay and dine at Bannisters: The retro Salamander Shores motel was a Port Stephens icon for decades— it’s been reborn as Bannisters Port Stephens, its 80 barefoot-luxe rooms and suites done up in a coastal palette of blue and white. Slide into the infinity pool overlooking the glittering bay, dine on fresh seafood by celebrated chef Rick Stein or explore the national parkland and crystal-clear waterways that characterise the Port Stephens region.
Discover the sand dunes: The longest moving sand dunes in the southern hemisphere, the Stockton Sand Dunes reach heights of more than 40 metres, their steep sides often hitting an incline of 60 degrees. Speed freaks will want to sign up for dune surfing or a quad-bike tour, while more leisurely ways to explore the area include camel rides and cultural tours, visiting ancient Aboriginal sites while learning about bush foods.
Hunter Valley
More than 6,000 trees, 60,000 shrubs, and a million other plants and bulbs create a floral wonderland at the Hunter Valley Gardens. Across the 14 hectares there are 8km of walking trails, leading to cool waterfalls and themed areas, including an Italian grotto and the Storybook Garden, taking you on a journey through childhood fantasies. After wandering the grounds, pop in to Harrigan’s Irish-themed bistro for a glass of Hunter Valley wine and the signature beef-and-Guinness pot pie.
Stay and dine at Spicers Guesthouse: Set in the heart of the Hunter Valley— arguably the state’s premier wine region— Spicers Guesthouse is the ultimate country retreat, from the elegant manor house to the stylish rooms. After a day hopping between cellar doors, return for a dip in the infinity pool overlooking native bushland, and a meal at modern-Italian éRemo Restaurant, its menu showcasing the region’s finest producers.
Take a tour: Leave your car behind at your hotel and explore the Hunter Valley’s top wineries on a bespoke tour. The range of offerings is diverse, from chauffeured vintage vehicles cruising between cellar doors— perhaps with an indulgent lunch included— to soaring above the vines at sunrise in a hot-air balloon, with a champagne breakfast when you touch down.
Note: The Newcastle Art Gallery is currently closed for major refurbishments and will reopen in 2024.
Zenith Beach, Port Stephens Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a walk along Zenith Beach, Port Stephens.
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Zenith Beach, Port Stephens Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a walk along Zenith Beach, Port Stephens.
Hunter Valley Gardens, Pokolbin Credit: Destination NSW
Aerial overlooking the manicured hedges of the Border Garden located in the Hunter Valley Gardens in Pokolbin.
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Hunter Valley Gardens, Pokolbin Credit: Destination NSW
Aerial overlooking the manicured hedges of the Border Garden located in the Hunter Valley Gardens in Pokolbin.