Cairns to host only whale-watching tours for more than 1500km

The great humpback highway is springing to life and this year Cairns is set to be the only dedicated whale-watching hub for more than 1500km.

Humpback whales travel north from Antarctica in winter to search for warm waters to breed.

The great humpback highway is springing to life and this year Cairns is set to be the only dedicated whale-watching hub for more than 1500km.

Starting July 14, Reef Unlimited will offer twice daily tours until the end of August to coincide with the thousands of humpback whales and other cetaceans migrating up Queensland’s coast.

Discussing Cairns hosting the only dedicated whale-watching tourism option for more than 1500km this winter are Jason Moore, Dr Eric Fisher and Mark Olson.

Biology manager at GBR Biology, Dr Eric Fisher, said the naturally curious humpback whales often socialised with visitors and whales alike, making for truly unforgettable experiences.

“What we love about humpback whales is they’re incredibly social,” he said.

“Not just to one another, but also to the people that they are looking at so you get these amazing encounters... what we’re doing is closing the loop.

“If you go out on a whale-watching trip and you have an incredible experience, that’s going to last with you forever...and this is the call to action that we want.”

Australia’s east coast humpback whale populations migrate north from Antarctica in winter to search for warm waters off Hervey Bay to breed in, before making the journey south in time for the summer food explosion.

The tours will leave Cairns twice daily aboard the new Aquaris II and will include a stop-off at Fitzroy Island.

The exact reason why the whales venture this far north is still largely unknown, but Tourism Tropical North Queensland chief executive Mark Olson said they probably headed north for the same reason tourists do - for a bit of sunshine.

“As the water temperature drops down south, just like our nomads, our humpbacks are heading north, and it’s such a great time of the year,” Mr Olson said.

“It’s 1500km to the nearest whale-watching experience in Queensland.

“So if you’re in Rocky or Mackay or Townsville or Cairns or Mount Isa, and you want to see a humpback this season, come on into Cairns for a short six-week season to see the humpbacks having an absolute ball.”

Originally published as Cairns to host only whale-watching tours for more than 1500km