Top 4 Vantage Points For Whale Watching on Stradbroke Island
Whale watching is a true Australian icon.
North Stradbroke Island is privileged to host humpbacks on their big seasonal migrations up the coast.
There are 5000 whales so far identified on this route, increasing by 12% each year.
These whales play right offshore.
It's a sight really not to be missed.
Best spots on Stradbroke There's quite a few lookout points on Stradbroke that are pretty beautiful sights themselves.
These are real picnic spots, and they've got plenty of features of their own.
These are some of the best: North Gorge North Gorge is a headland, with cliffs for good vantage points.
It also has its own beach and beautiful bush.
The whales come close to the island at various points, and if you want a real adventure, North Gorge is definitely one of the best places.
Norm's Seat Norm's Seat has its own viewing platform, from a high vantage point.
From here you can see the whales offshore, and often dolphins from a big local pod of bottlenose dolphins who call Stradbroke Island home.
Norm's Seat is on the Gorge Walk, a track connecting various scenic spots in this part of the island.
Frenchman's Bay Frenchman's Bay is one of the whale playgrounds.
Pods will happily play here, and some spectacular photos of humpbacks in full flight have been taken here.
This area has a nice beach, too, for beach walks.
Boat Rock Boat Rock is also a famous diving site, located near Point Lookout on the north eastern tip of the island.
This is deeper water, and it's classic whale territory, with a combination of shelter and plenty of space.
Whale migration Whale migration is seasonal, and the humpbacks have a regular schedule which takes them into Stradbroke's waters from June, sometimes through to the New Year.
The Queensland waters are a big breeding ground for the humpbacks, and Stradbroke forms the southern end of the territory, which extends to Moreton Bay and the Whitsunday Islands.
Whale spotting tips Humpbacks know how to put on a show, and watching a giant humpback playing is quite a sight, by any standards.
The adult whales are bigger than city buses, and can jump 5 metres into the air, effortlessly.
Be prepared to be completely surprised, however many whale documentaries you've seen.
The real thing is something special.
However, there's more to see, and if you're lucky you'll see baby whales, carefully watched by Mum and the other whales, learning their basic swimming and scurrying around playing games.
The size of the babies, relative to the adults, is another surprise.
Babies aren't exactly small, but they can hide under Mum's fins when they get scared or want a cuddle, and that's when you appreciate the sizes properly.
These whales are your neighbours, for about six months of the year on Stradbroke Island.
They're Straddie locals, and they and their kids know how to have a good time.
Come and say hello
North Stradbroke Island is privileged to host humpbacks on their big seasonal migrations up the coast.
There are 5000 whales so far identified on this route, increasing by 12% each year.
These whales play right offshore.
It's a sight really not to be missed.
Best spots on Stradbroke There's quite a few lookout points on Stradbroke that are pretty beautiful sights themselves.
These are real picnic spots, and they've got plenty of features of their own.
These are some of the best: North Gorge North Gorge is a headland, with cliffs for good vantage points.
It also has its own beach and beautiful bush.
The whales come close to the island at various points, and if you want a real adventure, North Gorge is definitely one of the best places.
Norm's Seat Norm's Seat has its own viewing platform, from a high vantage point.
From here you can see the whales offshore, and often dolphins from a big local pod of bottlenose dolphins who call Stradbroke Island home.
Norm's Seat is on the Gorge Walk, a track connecting various scenic spots in this part of the island.
Frenchman's Bay Frenchman's Bay is one of the whale playgrounds.
Pods will happily play here, and some spectacular photos of humpbacks in full flight have been taken here.
This area has a nice beach, too, for beach walks.
Boat Rock Boat Rock is also a famous diving site, located near Point Lookout on the north eastern tip of the island.
This is deeper water, and it's classic whale territory, with a combination of shelter and plenty of space.
Whale migration Whale migration is seasonal, and the humpbacks have a regular schedule which takes them into Stradbroke's waters from June, sometimes through to the New Year.
The Queensland waters are a big breeding ground for the humpbacks, and Stradbroke forms the southern end of the territory, which extends to Moreton Bay and the Whitsunday Islands.
Whale spotting tips Humpbacks know how to put on a show, and watching a giant humpback playing is quite a sight, by any standards.
The adult whales are bigger than city buses, and can jump 5 metres into the air, effortlessly.
Be prepared to be completely surprised, however many whale documentaries you've seen.
The real thing is something special.
However, there's more to see, and if you're lucky you'll see baby whales, carefully watched by Mum and the other whales, learning their basic swimming and scurrying around playing games.
The size of the babies, relative to the adults, is another surprise.
Babies aren't exactly small, but they can hide under Mum's fins when they get scared or want a cuddle, and that's when you appreciate the sizes properly.
These whales are your neighbours, for about six months of the year on Stradbroke Island.
They're Straddie locals, and they and their kids know how to have a good time.
Come and say hello
