Southern Right Whales seen at The Entrance
If you’re off to do some whale watching this weekend keep an eye out for more of these rare cousins of the Humpback, and here’s some great places to watch from.
Central Coast
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Whale enthusiasts got a treat at The Entrance recently when a mother Southern Right Whale and her calf were spotted.
Southern Right Whales were almost hunted into extinction by whalers in the days when whaling took place off the East Coast of Australia and their population has not recovered at the same rate as the more commonly seen Humpback Whale.
Only a handful of Southern Rights are seen each year off the East Coast
Central Coast Dolphin Project member and whale watcher Ronny Ling snapped a picture of the rare creatures.
“They were targeted by whalers because they travel very close to shore, have a huge oil yield, and float when they are dead,” Mr Ling said.
“They are sometimes observed floating just behind the breakers, only 50m from shore,” he said.
“They can reach a length of 17m, and weigh up to 80 tonnes.
“They are huge dark animals, with no dorsal fins, and are recognised by their “V shape” blow.”
Mr Ling said the whales had patches of light coloured skin on their heads called callosities.
“Although they are very slow moving, they can be very protective of their calves.”
There is a 300m exclusion zone around mother and calve whales.
You can report sightings of seals, whales or dolphins, to Central Coast Dolphin Project on 0435 348 552, or email them at centralcoastdolphins@gmail.com, or post it on their facebook page.
Where to watch
With a predicted 30,000 whales currently migrating along the NSW coastline, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service is encouraging everyone to visit a coastal national park to catch all the action.
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service recommends these top whale watching spots on the Central Coast:
■ Bouddi coastal walk, Bouddi National Park — Located near Gosford, the Bouddi coastal walk is known for its beaches, boardwalk and birdlife. Go whale watching, picnic or swim at Maitland Bay, or simply absorb the ocean views. The 8km walk runs from Putty Beach to MacMasters Beach.
■ Gerrin Point lookout, Bouddi National Park — This lookout, just a short walk from Putty Beach, provides panoramic views of Maitland Bay and the Bouddi National Park Marine Extension. Soak up the scenery and enjoy whale watching and dolphin spotting.
■ Crackneck lookout, Wyrrabalong National Park — If you’re into whale watching, the Central Coast’s Crackneck lookout and picnic area is ideal, with spectacular views over The Entrance and Shelly Beach. Pack a picnic lunch or enjoy the nearby The Coast walking track.
■ Pelican Beach Road lookout, Wyrrabalong National Park — This lookout offers scenic views over Soldiers Beach, Pelican Beach and Tuggerah Beach, and is a great spot for whale watching. The beach is also a popular spot for fishing and surfing.
NPWS reminds whale watchers to keep a safe distance from cliff edges and rock platforms on coastal walks and at lookouts.
Whale-watchers can download the free Wild About Whales app to get real-time notifications of sightings nearby, log their own sightings, find top vantage points and much more.
Visit www.wildaboutwhales.com.au for all your whale watching information this season.