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Whale Watching

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It is fairly common for migrating humpback whales to swim their way past Sydney Harbor during the winter months – which is the summer months in the U.S. Many coastal towns specialize in whale tourism, offering boat and air sightseeing trips and beach and cliff-top viewing areas. There are several places in particular that are worth checking out for this fun activity.

1) Queensland's Whale Nursery – After giving birth in the warm north Queensland waters, humpback whales stop at Hervey Bay with their calves between August and October. Whale-watch cruises are offered from Urangan Boat Harbour.

2) Byron Bay – Byron Bay in New South Wales, Australia's most easterly point, is a prime location to see humpback whale pods on their annual migration during the months of July and September.

3) Great Australia Bight – The cliffs of the Great Australian Bight in South Australia are the place to see southern right whales during the Australian winter months. The whales often come within a few meters of the cliff base.

4) Warrnambool – Between June and October, southern right whale females spend the winter with their calves at Logan's Beach in Warrnambool, Victoria, often swimming close to shore from where they can be viewed from beach platforms.

5) Ningaloo Reef – In these plunging waters near Exmouth in Western Australia, migrating humpbacks are common during August and September. Whale sharks, the world's largest fish, can be found between mid-March and June.

6) South Coast – Eden, a former whaling town in New South Wales, has become one of the best places to view humpbacks as they travel to Antarctica from September to November, often stopping to feed with their young.

7) The Ribbon Reefs of the Great Barrier – In June and July, this is the perfect place to spot dwarf minke whales. Unlike other whale species these inquisitive creatures actively seek encounters with divers.

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