Whale Watching from land
A boat trip on the open ocean is not for
everyone and luckily there are plenty of places to see whales from land. Scan the waters when you are near the ocean and you are likely to be rewarded with a sighting.
It is not always the spout that signals a whale surfacing, as changing light and wind
conditions can make it hard to see. Watch for an unusual splash, or a shiny reflection from a dorsal fin. A breaching whale will be
obvious as it crashes back into the water, but a
steadily cruising pod may be a little harder to initially locate.
Whale watchers often say that a change in the wind can turn previously quiet humpbacks into acrobatic athletes, so if the breeze increases or changes direction suddenly, be vigilant and you may see this come true.
Binoculars or a scope can make the experience more exciting.
Narooma Golf Club at Narooma
Excellent easterly views from the upstairs Bunka’s Bistro and top end of the club’s car park. The golf course is open to the public, though at your own risk. Walk around the course heading south towards the Coastal Patrol cottage, or along the cliff top overlooking Narooma’s main surf beach. The club is located at the top of Bluewater Drive, turn left off the Princes Highway when travelling south through Narooma just after the Visitors Information Centre.
Bar Rock Road Lookout at Narooma
A great vantage point, 2 minutes from Narooma Town Wharf, below the historic Coastal Patrol Station (old harbourmaster’s residence) overlooking Narooma Bar and out towards Montague Island. Interpretive signs with cetacean identification (whales and dolphins) and timber stairs down to Australia Rock. Follow the Princes Highway south into Narooma, take first left turn after the Visitors Centre into Bluewater Drive and then left again into Bar Rock Road.
Carters Beach Headland at Kianga.
Carters Headland at the northern end of Bar Beach is a favoured dolphin surf beach offering 180 degree views as far north as Pigeon House Mountain on a clear day. Whale calves frolic out past the rocks. The waters around Narooma are relatively shallow and are rich in krill; a staple food of whales. When travelling south, turn left into Dalmeny about 5 km north of Narooma and follow this around to the beach.
Toragy Point at Moruya Heads
This lookout offers whale watching views north along the coast, interpretive signage about whales and marine life courtesy of National Parks, limited parking, some seating and an historic graveyard . Turn left off the Princes Highway just south of Moruya, into South Head Road, drive toward the coast, and up around the headland (10 minutes drive from Moruya).
Broulee Island, Broulee
Broulee Island is joined to the mainland by a sandbar so always accessible. Whales in season and dolphins all year round may be sighted from any side of the island which takes about an hour to walk around. Parking and toilets at the Broulee Surf Club, South Broulee. The walk features a wonderful display of native plants and marine birdlife including the superb fairy wren and white bellied sea eagle.
Burrewarra Point Lookout at Guerilla Bay
This lighthouse lookout is a 15 to 20 minute easy walk from the beach car park at Guerilla Bay. Breathtaking views up and down the coast make the most of potential whale sightings. Drive 18ks south along the coast road from Batemans Bay to the turn off to Guerilla Bay. Turn left into Burri Point Road. The track to the lighthouse and look out is signposted.
South Head, Batemans Bay
South Head is a secluded headland with two small clearings, one to the north and one to the south. Both can be accessed via a short walk along paths at the end of Tallawang Avenue, Malua Bay. From Batemans Bay drive south along George Bass Drive (the Coast Road) and turn left into Tallawang Avenue. Limited street parking. Whales can be sighted as close as 150 metres from the lookout.
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