If seeing the world’s largest mammals has been on your bucket list for too long, you have 40,000 chances to see them up close by whale watching in Eurobodalla. Between June and November, you have a front row seat to the twice-yearly whale migration in NSW as Southern Right whales and Humpbacks travel closer to shore.
There she blows! Whether you’ve dreamt of seeing whales breaching and lobtailing in the high seas or always wanted to hunt down Moby Dick for yourself (with your camera), booking a winter coastal escape in NSW is the perfect way to shake up your mid-year.
While Eurobodalla has become the premier place for whale watching on the NSW South Coast, it doesn’t mean you need to experience it with crowds of other people. Here’s how to do it right at one of the many quiet whale watching spots that dot the shoreline.
Why Eurobodalla is the best place for South Coast whale watching
Few destinations in NSW offer scenic coastal lookouts where you can see whales without crowds, and for free. Eurobodalla’s rugged coastline juts out into the ocean, funnelling pods closer to shore, while elevated cliffs and headland parks give you a natural grandstand to spot leviathans passing below.
What month is best for whale watching in Eurobodalla?
Eurobodalla’s stellar position allows you to watch the whale migration in NSW not once but twice every year. It happens like clockwork, giving you the chance of multiple sightings each trip you take.
The northern migration (May to mid-August) sees humpbacks and southern right whales moving up the coast toward their warm-water breeding grounds past Queensland. Whales during this leg are typically travelling with purpose, moving steadily, covering ground. Sightings can be spectacular, particularly in June when numbers peak, but behaviour tends to be less acrobatic than on the return journey.
The southern migration (mid-August to November) is when the season really comes into its own. A higher number of whales are heading back to Antarctic feeding grounds, moving more slowly. At the same time, pods travelling with calves born during the winter breeding season will stick closer to shore, seeking the security of bays and coves, giving you more opportunities to see whales in Eurobodalla from land or during a boat tour.
Best time of day to go whale watching in Eurobodalla
While you can have multiple encounters during peak season, you’ll have a better chance to see them in the morning and mid-to-late afternoon when humpbacks and southern rights are most active feeding and socialising. Early risers often have the best chance when the ocean is calmer for a better view.
Even better, as populations grow, whale watching in Eurobodalla and across the South Coast just gets more exciting.
Best quiet whale watching spots on the South Coast
The best places where you can see whales without crowds in NSW won’t be found in a brochure; you’ll need to get out there and start exploring. Here’s where to start:
Bar Rock Lookout, Narooma
For many people, Narooma is often their base for whale watching and experiencing Eurobodalla’s winter activities. Bar Rock Lookout is perched above the entrance to Wagonga Inlet, framing the passage where humpbacks regularly travel close to shore. With an expansive, unobstructed view of the local landscape, you’ll be placed near enough not to need binoculars.
Barunguba Montague Island
Just nine kilometres off the coast of Narooma, Barunguba Montague Island sits directly in the path of the humpback migration, making it one of the most extraordinary spots for whale watching on the NSW South Coast. While you’ll need to join a tour to visit the island, once there, you will be spoiled with elevated 360° views of the surrounding ocean.
While Barunguba Montague Island is very popular, with plenty of things to do in Eurobodalla in winter, from seeing the historic lighthouse to visiting NSW’s largest colony of Australian and New Zealand fur seals, there is plenty of space to spread out and explore by yourself.
Dalmeny Headland
A short drive north of Narooma, Dalmeny is a quiet oceanside village where the whale watching is as unhurried as the town itself. The headland track winds through coastal scrub before opening to a clifftop view directly over the passage where humpbacks move through on their winter run. Pull over at one of the lookouts along the road, or follow one of the scenic coastal walks for whale watching that trace the headland towards the boardwalk, with plenty of spots to sit down for a picnic, swim in nearby beaches or scan the water for rarer glimpses of Free Willy.
Carters Beach Headland, Kianga
Kianga sits quietly between Narooma and Dalmeny and is often overlooked entirely, meaning you’ll often have the area all to yourself. The headland at Carters Beach gives elevated views in both directions along the coast, and the surrounding national park means there’s no development cluttering the horizon. As quiet whale watching spots go, it doesn’t get much better than this.
Burrewarra Point, Guerilla Bay
Most visitors to the Eurobodalla coast never make it to Guerilla Bay, and the ones who do tend to keep quiet about it. Burrewarra Point sits elevated above a stretch of open ocean that humpbacks hug tightly during the southern migration. Between sightings, spend your day walking the fragrant trail of the Banksia Walk along the clifftop, or if you can brave the water’s cooler temperature, the bay below is superb for snorkelling.
Broulee Island
Broulee Island offers one of the most scenic coastal walks for whale watching and getting lost in nature. While it is set away from the mainland, making it easier to get a closer view of migrating whales, you can easily visit the island via the permanent sandbar. Making your way to the eastern face of the island is a mild bushwalk suitable for most people that takes you through littoral rainforest and lush natives.
After you have had some spectacular sightings, slip on your snorkelling gear. The island is set within a marine sanctuary, giving you fantastic opportunities to glide over sand flats, seagrass meadows, and big reef walls, spotting banjo sharks (a type of ray), stingrays, and green turtles.
Munjip Trail
The Munjip Trail is one of Eurobodalla’s most celebrated walks, and for good reason. Weaving along the cliffs south of Batemans Bay, it delivers near-constant ocean views for much of its length. In winter, when the scrub is low and visibility is high, any section of this trail can become an impromptu whale watching platform. Go early, slowly, and look out to sea often.
Tips for whale watching in Eurobodalla and NSW South Coast
Tracking and spotting humpbacks in the wild is a game of chance, but with tens of thousands passing the region, the odds are in your favour to see them up close. Here are a few tips to ensure you have a fantastic experience:
- Timing is everything: The whale migration in NSW is generally from May to November. Plan your visit during their most active times: early mornings and late afternoons.
- Use a guide: While it’s common to spot whales from any one of Eurobodalla’s free scenic coastal lookouts in NSW, sometimes you need the experience of an experienced tour guide who is practised in following their movements.
- Binoculars: Even if you’re on a boat, you are required by law to keep your distance from whales and seals, making binoculars essential to spot hidden barnacles and other features they’re known for.
- Layer up: Unseasonably warm days are common, but it is still winter. You’ll want to wear sturdy shoes and a few layers to keep you warm, especially if you start whale watching early in the morning.
- Patience: Whales have their own schedule, so you can never guarantee an encounter. It’s a good idea to grab a coffee and some snacks to keep you satiated while you’re scanning the ocean.
- Plan your day: Whale watching is one of the best winter nature activities in Eurobodalla, you can experience, but there is so much more on offer. From bushwalks and watersports to local cultural attractions, there are countless things to keep your whole family entertained.
- Bring your family: Seeing whales in the wild, breaching and performing tricks, is best enjoyed in the company of your friends and family. At just a few hours’ drive from Sydney and Canberra, holidaying in Eurobodalla with your entire group is easy any time of the year.
Plan your NSW winter coastal escape today
Travelling across Eurobodalla is a rewarding experience, whether it’s a quick weekender or week-long escapades. Here’s what to plan for your trip:
- Getting here: Travelling to Eurobodalla is easy, taking just a few hours by car from Sydney via the Hume Highway, or from Canberra via the Kings Highway. The region is well serviced by various coach and bus services, or you can even fly into Moruya Airport.
- Accommodation: From caravanning in National Parks to charming farm stays and relaxing hotels, you can find accommodation throughout Eurobodalla’s towns and villages to suit every travel style.
- Weather: Winters on the Eurobodalla coast are generally mild and bright. Temperatures sit comfortably in the mid-teens, and the chance of rainfall is relatively low. But, anytime can happen. Don’t forget to bring an umbrella and a few extra warming layers.
- Attractions: There are plenty of things to do in Eurobodalla in winter to keep your whole family entertained. From bushwalks and golfing to food events, markets, and more, the opportunities are endless.
Visit Eurobodalla for whale watching this winter
From simple trips to memorable moments, Eurobodalla is the best place to start your adventures. Empty headlands, humpbacks passing close to shore, freshly brewed coffee in hand and nowhere you need to be, there aren’t many places where a winter’s day looks quite like that.
Whether you’re making the drive drown from Sydney for a long weekend or settling in for a week from Canberra, you’ll have a whale of a time. What are you waiting for?