The whales are on the move again! Sightings are coming in thick & fast as the Central Coast switches into full whale-watching mode, with all eyes on the infamous Humpback Highway. From talented drone photographers capturing those mid-air breaches to locals who love a bit of shoreline spotting, everyone is keeping a keen eye on the ocean, hoping to spot that magical splash. And with over 40,000 whales expected to pass by between May – November, the chances are pretty good you’ll catch a glimpse. How lucky are we to have front-row seats to the whole thing?!
There’s always a buzz when these gentle giants make their way up & down the coast, cruising right past our shores as part of their incredible migration journey between the feeding grounds of Antarctica and the warmer waters of Queensland. Watching them glide through our region’s waters en masse, playfully breaching and slapping their fins and tails, is truly a wonderful sight to see in real life.
Lucky for us, whale watching on the Central Coast is a simple experience that never gets old. Just pick a good headland, grab a coffee, and enjoy the show. We’re so lucky that the Central Coast boasts some truly outstanding vantage points, where even without binoculars, a drone or a fancy camera, you get the opportunity to see the whales pretty close to shore.
ADVERTISEMENT:
As always, we’ve done the hard yards and popped together this handy list of the very best of the Central Coast’s whale watching locations – as well as handy tips on where you can support local while grabbing a cuppa or a bite to eat. Let’s go whale spotting!
Where to See Whales on the Central Coast, NSW
Crackneck Lookout, Wyrrabalong National Park
With uninterrupted views, Crackneck Lookout is the ultimate Central Coast whale watching spot! Recent upgrades have made it an even more popular spot, with improved accessibility including picnic tables and benches for you to sit and watch while the kids enjoy playing on the tiered grassy areas. For those feeling energetic, the 3km Coast Walking Track is gorgeous any time of year – but whale watching season means added vantage points. But be warned – the secret is out, which means this popular spot is pretty busy during peak season and school holidays, and parking can be tricky, so get there early
Coasties tip: Pick up a hot meal from The Salty Cod and settle in for a front-row show at Crackneck. The classic fish & chips always hit the spot, but if you want to take it up a notch, go for the squid and chorizo skewers or a bit of marinated octopus. Takeaway, whales and winter sun – that’s the trifecta right there!
RELATED: Central Coast Whale Watching Spot Crackneck Lookout’s Upgrade is Complete
Toowoon Bay Beach
If you’re doing the Coast to Lake walk and passing through Toowoon, we highly suggest a detour on Toowoon Bay Rd – at the end you’ll find some steps down to the water and a couple of park benches. Plenty of eagle-eyed spotters have found seen whales from here, or from down on the beach (where it would be rude not to to take a dip in the ocean).
Coasties tip: Set right on the sand, The Village Kiosk boasts the ultimate location for a feed with a side of whale watching. And this year, they’re taking things up a notch – with binoculars on hand for customers to borrow while they sip their coffee and scan the horizon. Or back in town, you have to try the breakfast burrito from Flour & Co. Wash it down with a coffee (they’re one of only two spots with this exclusive roast, IYKYK), and you can’t leave without a fresh pastry, baked daily by a fantastic team of pastry chefs.
ADVERTISEMENT:
The Skillion, Terrigal
Another local fave for whale watching is The Skillion – that steep hill towering over Terrigal Haven comes with seriously epic views. If the whales are around, you’ll spot them from up here – and if not, the cheers from nearby whale-watchers will give them away! That’s the beauty of popular whale watching spots – no spotter left behind.
We’ve highlighted The Skillion – but really, the whole headland in Terrigal offers views, views and more views for days. Often we find the small car park between the two big headlands (opposite the rugby club) is an epic spot. There’s a grassed area where you can set up a picnic, or you can head down onto the rocks closer to the water. Please note: this area is not patrolled so you need to be cautious and safe, especially if the weather is wet or the swell large.
Coasties tip: Finish off with a boardwalk stroll to Bellyfish, a long-standing Terrigal fave – and the perfect place to refuel & re-caffeinate after a big morning of whale watching. Their brunch menu is epic, and if you get there a bit later, order a local craft beer with your meal – if you made it to the top of The Skillion, you’ve earned it!
Captain Cook Lookout, Copacabana Beach
It might take a little effort to reach Captain Cook Lookout, but it’s worth every step – you’ll be rewarded with one of the best vantage points to view whales on the Central Coast. Hugely popular year-round, you’ve got sweeping views stretching from Terrigal to Avoca and all the way down to Macmasters. In other words, whale spotting is almost* guaranteed.
(*Disclaimer: whales are wild animals – as much as we’d love to schedule them in, it’s not a sure thing.)
Coasties tip: For a cheeky caffeine fix before the climb, The Bees Knees Eatery is open from 6.30am every day, slinging Copa’s finest premium specialty coffee to fuel your early morning whale stakeout. They’re also home to the famous “Dirty BAE”, a fully loaded bacon & egg roll that’s got locals hooked.
Norah Head Lighthouse, Norah Head
Whale season or not, Norah Head Lighthouse is an iconic Central Coast landmark that’s always worth a visit. You can park at the lighthouse or go on a little bush walk from Norah Head Beach Haus. You walk through the bush to the lighthouse and then down the stairs to the rockpool – where you can loop back around to the café via the beach. Takes less than an hour in total, and you’ll undoubtedly see whales on the way. It is also it’s a prime spot for spotting pods of playful dolphins.
Coasties tip: For freshly roasted coffee and some of the tastiest bagels around, Norah Head Beach Haus is what coastal café dreams are made of. Just a short stroll from the lighthouse, it’s the perfect pre- or post-whale spotting stop. Grab your order to go and explore the rockpool, or pull up a seat and soak up the sunshine.
Bouddi Coastal Walk, Bouddi National Park
The Bouddi Coastal Walk in Bouddi National Park runs from Putty Beach to Macmasters Beach, and a good stretch of the 8km boardwalk offers outstanding ocean views, with ample opportunity to see some whales. Compared to busier headlands, this walk is often a little quieter, giving you a more peaceful, uninterrupted whale watching experience. And while you’re keeping an eye on the ocean, don’t be surprised if a sea eagle soars overhead or an echidna waddles across your path – there’s plenty of wildlife to spot along the way too. Take a picnic with you and stop at one of the many beaches en route, or better yet, bring your swimmers and make a wintery dip part of your plan.
Coasties tip: Open from 7am every day, The Fat Goose in Killcare is an easy fave for fresh, seasonal food and great Mecca coffee. Their all-day menu is a solid start (or reward) for your Bouddi adventure, and if you’re heading out early, you’ll find a smaller Fat Goose open from 6:30am over in Kincumber.
Cromarty Hill, Forresters Beach
Whether you walk from Crackneck or drive up, Cromarty Hill impresses with sweeping panoramic views. You can look south to Forresters Beach and Terrigal, or directly east across the vast ocean. There is limited parking available and a narrow, residential road, so be sure to take it easy and mind the walkers.
Coasties tip: Swing past Di Matteos for a specialty coffee and a great feed when you’re whale watching around Forries. Open daily from 6am–2pm, this local fave makes all their specials and sweet treats in-house, and it shows.
Bateau Bay Beach Viewing Area
This sandstone viewing platform over Bateau Bay beach is a prime spot for whale watching on the Central Coast. It’s not as elevated as the rest, but there’s plenty of parking, great coffee at the Bateau Beach Café and picnic tables throughout. If you enjoy a bushwalk, you can walk north towards Shelley Beach, or south up to Crackneck Lookout for an even more spectacular view.
You might also like to try: The Top 10 Central Coast Walks For a Nature Hit
Whale watching tours on the Central Coast
Prefer to see the whales from the water? We don’t blame you! For those who have great sea legs, this is your chance to get even more up close and personal with these gorgeous creatures. Plus you get to learn a stack when on a guided tour, and – given that most vantage points require you to walk up a hill – you get to save those pins from the burn!
Terrigal Ocean Tours
The most popular guided tour option on the Central Coast is through Terrigal Ocean Tours, with whale watching tours on offer from May through to October. They depart Terrigal and sail around the Central Coast waters to find whales, with a standard 60-minute trip costing $90 for adults, or $65 on weekdays outside of holiday periods.
Whale Watching Sydney
We also have Whale Watching Sydney offering Central Coast whale watching tours, with free transfers from Ettalong to Palm Beach. The tour costs $99 per adult (child & concession prices are available), and they have a ‘whale guarantee’ which means if you don’t spot them you can re-book for free at another date.
Why do whales migrate?
Around 40,000 humpback whales travel 5,000 kilometres from their summer feeding grounds near Antarctica to the warmer waters off Queensland and the Coral Sea to mate and give birth – and then back again!
What types of whales can you expect to see on the Central Coast?
While humpback whales are the most spotted breed, the Central Coast has also been the sighting ground for southern right whales, minke whales and on the rare occasion there have even been orcas spotted in the waters off the Central Coast.
Will I spot a whale?
The migration season brings many chances for whale spotting off our coast, with the months of June & July often renowned for some of the busiest month for the Central Coast spotting enthusiasts. If you’re going to spot a whale, this is the time. With 40,000 humpback whales migrating north along Australia’s East Coast there’s a good chance you’ll spot a whale off the Central Coast headlands.
When is the best time of day to see a whale?
You can spot a whale on the Central Coast at any time of day, but the morning time is usually the best due to the sunrise lighting illuminating their whale blow more clearly.
What to look out for when whale spotting on the Central Coast?
When looking out across the ocean, scan the water for imperfections and interruptions to the water’s surface. This could be an indication of a majestic whale just below the surface.
However, the most magical way to spot a whale is when they breach. This is when a whale propels two thirds of their body out of the water, landing with a ginormous splash. On the Central Coast, the whales appear to enjoy breaching often.
You can also look out for a blow, a thick spout of water shooting out from the ocean. Each variety of whale has a different blow which helps marine experts identify which species of whale they are.
Continue reading:
Congratulation!