Whale migration

During summer, whales in the Southern Hemisphere spend their time feeding in the waters around Antarctica. Then in late autumn they head north to their winter breeding and calving grounds in the warmer waters of the Pacific. They return south in spring. Humpback whales and southern right whales are the most commonly seen whales along Australia’s coastline.

There are 43 species of whales that travel through Australian waters. From May to November you can catch a glimpse of the gentle giants as they make their annual migrations 2500km north from Antarctica and then 2500km back south with their young.

The journey

DECEMBER: Feeding on krill in Antarctica and putting on weight for the northward migration. Once they leave, the productive Southern Oceans there are few places to feed along the way.

APRIL: Most have left Antarctica. Travelling north at 7km/hr, the pregnant females should reach the warm waters of the Great Barrier Reef before their calves are born.

MAY: Cruising along the south east Australian coastline heading north. JUNE: The arrival of new calves means a lot of feeding (250 litres of whale milk per day to ensure a daily weight gain of 90 kgs) by the mother Humpbacks to prepare for the big trip south. OCTOBER: Time to head south, back to Antarctica and the summer feeding grounds. Little ones stay close to mum for protection; they travel slow, stopping at safe places along the coast and learning how to survive.