Short answer: whale season on Australia’s east coast runs roughly June to November, when humpbacks swim north from Antarctic waters to breed, then head back south with calves. Byron Bay and Sydney are the easy picks because the whales pass close to shore and the tours are short; Hervey Bay is the place to see humpbacks resting rather than passing. On the west coast the Perth season runs later, late August to early November.
Prices are per person in AUD, from our current listings (October 2026), and can change.
How the humpback migration works
Humpbacks spend the southern summer feeding in cold Antarctic waters. As autumn turns to winter they head north along both Australian coasts toward warm tropical water to mate and calve, then turn around in spring and swim home. That round trip is why the “season” is a two-part thing on the east coast:
- Northbound (roughly June to August): whales travelling with purpose, often further offshore, fewer stops. Sydney and Byron see them first because they are further south on the route.
- Southbound (roughly August to November): slower, closer to shore, and this is when mothers travel with calves. Hervey Bay’s sheltered Platypus Bay is the famous resting stop on this leg.
The further north you are, the later the whales arrive and the later they leave. So June is early for Queensland and fine for New South Wales; October is thin in Sydney but still good around Byron and Hervey Bay. Exact dates shift year to year, which is why the better tours carry a free-return policy if nothing shows.
Best places to see whales, south to north
Sydney
The Heads are a natural funnel: the whales swim straight past the harbour mouth. The High-Speed Whale Watching from Circular Quay (from $139, 2 hours) is a military-spec RIB that leaves from Circular Quay, runs out through the Heads and goes looking for pods with the help of skippers networking with each other. Sightings are guaranteed under their policy. It is the fastest, saltiest way to do it, and a two-hour slot fits around a day in the city.
Byron Bay
Cape Byron is the most easterly point on the Australian mainland, so the migration path squeezes in close. The Byron Bay Whale Watching Safari (from $139, 3 hours) departs Brunswick Heads, takes a maximum of 12 passengers, and carries a marine naturalist guide plus an underwater hydrophone so you can hear the whales sing. Free professional photos are shared after the trip, a waterproof jacket is supplied if you need one, and sightings are guaranteed or you come back free. The whale season for this tour is June to October only. You need to get yourself to Brunswick Heads; transport to the departure point is not included.
If you are basing yourself in Byron for a week anyway, our Byron Bay backpacker guide covers the rest of the town.
Noosa and the Sunshine Coast
This is a whales-if-you’re-lucky option rather than a dedicated whale tour. The Double Island Point Dolphin Kayak & Beach 4WD Tour from Noosa (from $159, 6 hours, up to 25) is a 4WD run up Teewah Beach then a guided sea kayak at Double Island Point, where wild bottlenose dolphins are the main act. Turtles and rays are frequent and whales pass in migration season. Gear, national park and ferry fees, light snacks and water are included.
Brisbane: North Stradbroke Island
The North Stradbroke Island Day 4WD Tour (from $149, 8 hours, departs Brisbane City) is a land-based whale option: the Point Lookout headland walk looks straight out over the migration route. The day also covers a swim in Lake Bummiera, Cylinder and Flinders Beaches and a ferry crossing where dolphins and turtles are often seen. Note the $80 per adult fees and charges payable on the day (covers the Queensland parks and ferry costs), on top of the from price.
Hervey Bay and K’gari
Hervey Bay is the one place in this list where whales stop rather than pass. The sheltered water of Platypus Bay, between the mainland and K’gari’s western coast, is where humpbacks rest on the way south. Three Hervey Bay cruises are on sale in season: the Ocean Defender small-group whale watch (3 hours, up to 38, led by scientists, with hydrophones and a sighting guarantee from 15 July to 9 October, as the operator states), the half-day Whale Watching Cruise with meals (morning or afternoon, with courtesy bus transfers) and the full-day exclusive whale watch by sailing boat (8 hours, low passenger numbers, buffet lunch). For every question about the season and the boats, see Hervey Bay whale watching: questions answered. The 4WD tours that leave from Hervey Bay are on our K’gari tours from Hervey Bay page.
Western Australia
Humpbacks migrate up the west coast too, and the Perth season sits later than the east. The 2 Hour Whale Watching Cruise from Hillarys Boat Harbour (from $78, 2 hours, departs Perth’s Hillarys Boat Harbour) runs during the late August to early November migration on a catamaran with three viewing decks and live narration from marine scientists. Dolphins and sea lions turn up too. If the whales don’t show, you get a free return trip within the same season. Food and drinks are not included but there is a licensed snack bar on board.
Further north, the Exmouth Explorer: Perth to Ningaloo, 7 Days (from $2,399, group of 6 to 23) is a coral coast road trip rather than a whale tour: Pinnacles, Kalbarri’s gorges, wild dolphins at Monkey Mia and snorkelling Ningaloo Reef at Coral Bay and Turquoise Bay, with private rooms all week and 15 meals included. The headline wildlife option is a whale shark swim (a whale shark is a filter-feeding shark, not a whale), which is an add-on, not included. Planning the drive yourself? Our guide to Perth to Monkey Mia distances and drive times breaks the coast into days.
New Zealand: Kaikoura
Kaikoura on the South Island is a different animal, literally. A deep submarine canyon runs close to shore, so sperm whales are found there year-round rather than seasonally. Kaikoura whale watching is included in the New Zealand Highlights 21 Day Tour from Auckland (from $4,569, 18 to 35, group of 8 to 20), alongside Hobbiton, Hell’s Gate geothermal spa, a Lake Taupo cruise and 20 nights of accommodation with a group leader. Most meals are not included.
Whale tours compared
| Tour | Place | Boat or vehicle | Length | Group | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Hour Whale Watching Cruise from Hillarys Boat Harbour | Perth | Catamaran, three viewing decks | 2 hours | Small group | from $78 |
| Byron Bay Whale Watching Safari | Brunswick Heads (Byron) | Purpose-built eco-vessel | 3 hours | Up to 12 | from $139 |
| High-Speed Whale Watching from Circular Quay | Sydney | High-speed RIB | 2 hours | Small group | from $139 |
| Double Island Point Dolphin Kayak & Beach 4WD Tour from Noosa | Noosa Heads | 4WD plus sea kayak | 6 hours | Up to 25 | from $159 |
| North Stradbroke Island Day 4WD Tour | Brisbane City | 4WD plus ferry, headland walk | 8 hours | Small group | from $149 |
| Hervey Bay Whale Watch on Ocean Defender | Hervey Bay | Purpose-built wildlife vessel | 3 hours | Up to 38 | from $119 |
| Hervey Bay Whale Watching Cruise with Meals | Hervey Bay | Cruise boat | Half day | See tour | from $159 |
| Full-Day Exclusive Whale Watching by Sailing Boat | Hervey Bay | Sailing boat | 8 hours | Small group | from $209 |
Which one should you book?
- Cheapest right now: Hillarys in Perth at $78. Hillarys runs two hours from $78, if you are in WA between late August and early November.
- Most to learn on the east coast: the Byron safari. Small boat, naturalist guide, hydrophone, free photos and a sighting guarantee from $139.
- Adrenaline: Sydney’s RIB. You will get wet and you will get there fast.
- Mothers and calves, calm water: Hervey Bay. Pick the 3-hour Ocean Defender for a short trip, or the full day under sail for the most time with the whales.
- Already doing something else: Noosa’s kayak day and Straddie’s 4WD day both put you on the migration route without being whale tours, so a sighting is a bonus rather than the point.
Whale stops slot neatly into an East Coast run. If you are planning the full trip, see our East Coast Australia 21-day itinerary with real costs for how Byron and Hervey Bay fit between Sydney and Cairns.
What to bring
Layers and a windproof jacket (the Byron tour lends you one if needed), sunscreen, sunglasses with a strap, and a phone or camera you can secure, since the Sydney RIB and the Byron boat both move. If you get seasick, take whatever works for you before boarding, not after. The Hillarys catamaran has wheelchair accessible areas and three decks, so it is the gentlest ride in this list. Full packing notes are in what to pack for the East Coast.
FAQs
When is whale season in Australia? Roughly June to November on the east coast, with the northbound run first and the southbound return with calves from about August. The Perth tour runs late August to early November. Byron’s whale safari runs June to October only.
Where is the best place to see whales on the east coast? Byron Bay for close passes and a short trip, Hervey Bay for humpbacks resting in calm water. Sydney is the most convenient if you are already in the city.
Are sightings guaranteed? The Byron safari, the Sydney RIB and the Hillarys cruise each state a sighting guarantee or free-return policy. Read the policy on the tour page before booking, because the terms (for example “within the same season”) differ.
Can you swim with whales in Australia? The Remote K’gari (Fraser Island) & Whale Experience offers in-water whale swims when conditions allow, but a swim is not guaranteed. The Ningaloo trip’s swim option is with whale sharks, which are a different thing.
How long is a whale watching tour? Two to three hours for the dedicated boat tours in Perth, Sydney and Byron. Hervey Bay cruises run 3 hours to a full day. The Noosa and Straddie options are six to eight hour days that include whales alongside other activities.
Will I get seasick? Possibly, especially on the Sydney RIB or any day with wind. Pick a calm forecast where you can, eat something light beforehand and sit where you can see the horizon.
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