The best whale watching vantage points on the Gold Coast revealed with best 50 spots program launched to help tourists and watchers

YOU don’t need to fork out big bucks to spot whales on the Gold Coast — with plenty of vantage spots dotted along the coast from The Spit down to Tweed Heads.

A new 50 stop Tweed Whale Trail will be launched at Point Danger. Photo of Belinda Novicky, Executive Officer, The Legendary Pacific Coast (red top) and Emma Cao from Destination Tweed. Photo by Richard Gosling

YOU don’t need to fork out big bucks to spot whales on the Gold Coast — with plenty of vantage spots dotted along the coast from The Spit down to Tweed Heads.

Whether it’s a skyrise apartment or the Gold Coast’s natural headlands, whale watchers are in for a treat as thousands of whales migrate north from Antarctica.

Whale watchers have been given an extra hand after the new Legendary Pacific Coast Whale Trail was launched yesterday.

Whale spotted from on board Spirit of the Gold Coast yesterday.

The whale trail highlights 50 different vantage points from Tweed Heads down the NSW coast to help tourists and locals spot the gentle giants.

But Gold Coast Tourism spokesman Ben Pole said the Gold Coast had some of the most accessible whale watching in the country, both from land and sea.

“While there is nothing like the up-close whale watching experience, the proximity of whales to Gold Coast beaches means everyone has plenty of opportunity to enjoy the show.”

Mr Pole said the main coastal headlands offered some of the best naturally elevated viewpoints, with spots including Greenmount, Kirra Hill, and Burleigh Heads.

IN PICS: WHALE SEASONS STARTS WITH INCREDIBLE SIGHTINGS

“But of course the Gold Coast is also famous for its man-made vantage points and any of the beachfront buildings along the Coast are going to deliver a grandstand view of the humpback highway.”

Legendary Pacific Coast executive officer Belinda Novicky said one of the best spots on the Tweed coast to spot whales was Point Danger.

“Point Danger has expansive views north to the Gold Coast and south across the Tweed River,” she said.

“If you prefer to whale watch in comfort, you’ll get great ocean views from the upper level of Café D’Bar, also located at Point Danger.”

Winter whales have been putting on a spectacular show for visitors. Pic taken from Spirit Of Gold Coast.

Ms Novicky said during the winter whales put on a ‘spectacular show’ for visitors.

Tim Jack Adams, the owner of Watersports Guru in Tweed Heads, takes whale watching tours along the Gold Coast.

“Whales have a tendency to come in quite close to shore, so that creates a great vantage point for people on the beach,” he said.

“To get really great vantage points head up to D’bar Hill, Burleigh hill or also up on Miami hill — anywhere you’ve got a slight incline you can see them.”

There are plenty of places to spot whales along the Coast. Pic taken on board Spirit Of Gold Coast.

Mr Adams said whale watchers should look out for the big spouts of mist that shoot up into the air.

“Whales can hold their breath for 20 minutes and sometimes they’re very playful and come up to the surface but sometimes you might have to wait up to 20 minutes.”

Mr Adams said it was ‘extremely likely’ whale watchers could spot a whale from the beach between June and October.

“We’ve got anywhere between 12,000 and 15,000 whales coming past our shores, starting in Antarctica heading up to Hervey Bay.”

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