Whale Watching Locations in Victoria

Top spots for whale watching in Victoria include Logan’s Beach in Warrnambool, Phillip Island, Wilsons Promontory, Cape Otway Lightstation, Queenscliff Harbour, and Ninety Mile Beach.

Phillip Island

Located just 140km south of Melbourne, Phillip Island is a prime location for watching humpback whales during migration. With clear winter skies and calm waters, the viewing experience is enhanced. Great land-based spots for whale sightings include Cape Woolamai, Surf Beach, Pyramid Rock, and the Nobbies.

Wildlife Coast Cruises operates whale watching tours from Phillip Island from June to early August, departing from San Remo and Rhyll to discover humpback whales, southern right whales, dolphins, fur seals, albatross, gannets, and more.

While you’re on Phillip Island, don’t miss the chance to combine your whale watching with the Penguin Parade. This unique experience brings you close to a colony of little penguins that return to their burrows each sunset.

Wilsons Promontory

Wilsons Promontory National Park in Gippsland provides a stunning setting for whale spotting. Visitors may see humpback and, occasionally, southern right whales during their coastal migration. Elevated coastal trails and lookouts, like those near the Wilsons Promontory Lightstation, are ideal for land-based sightings, with hikers often reporting whale breaches and spouts.

Wildlife Coast Cruises also runs tours off Wilsons Promontory from Port Welshpool, available from late August to early November, boasting high chances of encountering migrating humpback and southern right whales, dolphins, fur seals, sea eagles, and more.

If you’re exploring Gippsland, make a stop at Inverloch between Phillip Island and Wilsons Promontory, where RACV Inverloch Resort offers accommodations from luxurious rooms to a caravan park.

Warrnambool

The coastal town of Warrnambool, located along the Great Ocean Road, provides a unique opportunity for land-based viewing of southern right whales. Between late May and August, adult female southern right whales give birth and care for their calves at Logan’s Beach, typically remaining until mid to late September.

The dedicated viewing platforms at Logan’s Beach are perfect for spotting these magnificent whales as they play close to the shore.

Cape Otway

Visit Cape Otway from May to October for a chance to see numerous whale species migrating near the coastline, including humpback, southern right, blue whales, and occasionally orcas.

Your best whale watching opportunity is at the Cape Otway Lightstation, where the elevated position allows for excellent views of the whales breaching, spouting, or tail-slapping in the waters nearby. The area also features a Whale Interpretive Area, which provides educational displays to help visitors identify various whale species and learn about their behaviors.

Consider a luxury overnight stay at RACV Torquay Resort situated between Melbourne and Cape Otway.

Queenscliff Harbour

Whale sightings may be possible from Queenscliff Harbour from June to October. The harbour’s location at the entrance of Port Phillip Bay, with water on three sides, is ideal for spotting marine life like humpback and southern right whales.

For on-land viewing, the 42m observation tower at Queenscliff Harbour offers panoramic bay views, improving your chances of seeing whales and other marine animals. Additional piers and vantage points provide more opportunities for land-based whale watching.

If a closer encounter is what you’re after, consider taking a local wildlife sightseeing tour departing from Queenscliff Harbour, where you’re likely to see fur seals, Burrunan dolphins, and, of course, whales.

Ninety Mile Beach

Ninety Mile Beach in Gippsland offers whale watching opportunities during the annual migration season. This expansive coastline, stretching from Port Albert to Lakes Entrance, has several vantage points suitable for land-based whale sightings.

Whales migrate northward from June to July, then return southward from September to November, often seen close to the shore with their calves. Golden Beach, in particular, stands out as a prime on-land spot for whale watching.

Start your adventure at Inverloch, then follow the coastline to Ninety Mile Beach.