ENJOY THE BEST OF THE 2007 WHALE WATCHING SEASON ON THE MID NORTH COAST OF NSW

Towns along the east coast of Australia, including Port Stephens and Port Macquarie on the Mid North Coast of NSW have adopted whales as part of the Humpback Whale Migration Icon project – a collaborative protest against Japan’s planned scientific whaling project.

Port Stephens has adopted Panda a juvenile Fairly whale while Port Macquarie has adopted Panda’s mother, Magenta a supermum featuring a distinctive ‘M’ on the underside of her white tail.

These local mascots highlight each town’s dedication to the preservation of these magnificent creatures and their much valued place in the mid north coast’s growing popularity as a leading whale watching region.

The Mid North Coast of NSW boasts one of the longest whale watching seasons in the country stretching from June to November and attracting record numbers to view these ocean giants from pristine coastal vantage points or on board professional cruise operations.

The most common species, the humpback whale, migrates north in June and July to breed in the warmer waters off Queensland and returns in August through to November to its feeding grounds in the Antarctic.

Approximately 3500 humpback whales migrate during this time. The rarer Southern Right whale can also be spotted, distinguished by its distinctive V blow. The experts say the best times for whale spotting are in the late morning and early afternoon.

Whale watching boat tours are available in key locations along the mid north coast starting with Port Stephens in the south to Forster, Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour in the north. In each location experienced operators provide a variety of cruise options including: Acquatic Blue Charters http://www.aquaticbluecharters.com.au/;   Imagine Cruises http://www.imaginecruises.com.au/; Amaroo Cruises  http://www.amaroocruise.com.au/; Cruise Adventures http://www.cruiseadventures.com.au/  and  Cougar Cat http://www.cougarcat12.com.au/ to name but a few.

For those who don’t want to take to the water there are many mid north coast vantage points to view the annual migration. A very special day can be had with a brisk nature walk, a picnic lunch and an hour or two scanning the horizon to see the whales playfully jumping offshore.

Because the headlands off Port Stephens extend so far east the whales come in very close to the mainland during the season. Tomaree Headland is an ideal viewing spot and is a comfortable walk to its summit. Cape Hawke near Forster is another vantage point making the most of the 8 metres high viewing tower perched above the Capes highest point.

The lighthouse perched high on the headland at Crowdy Bay offers expansive views, as does Diamond Head in Crowdy Bay National Park. The Charles Hamey Lookout at Dunbogan at the southern end of Crowdy Bay is very accessible should you need to drive to your vantage point.

Tacking Point Lighthouse is recommended in Port Macquarie. Around the Hat Head National Park area there are several vantage points including Crescent Head, Smoky Cape Lighthouse and Trial Bay Gaol.

If you get the chance to get out to the islands of the Solitary Islands Marine Park then you can really be amongst it. However if not then some great locations on shore including Muttonbird Island and Boambee Headland.

Many of the whale watching operators also provides year round Dolphin watching tours.

Around 160 bottlenose dolphins reside permanently in the waters of Port Stephens, the Dolphin Capital of Australia. They take great delight in riding the bow waves of any passing boat. They are often spotted from the ferry that crosses between Nelson Bay and Tea Gardens. Every morning around 30 dolphins leave the port and swim around Yacaaba to play in the surf at Bennetts Beach, Hawks Nest.

Dolphins are also regularly spotted in the Great Lakes, between the twin towns of Forster-Tuncurry, at Crowdy Bay and the rivers and inlets of the Camden Haven and Hastings Rivers in Port Macquarie and the Nambucca River.

Issued by:  Mid North Coast Regional Tourism Organisation.