Whale Watching

We had planned to swing south to the Great Australian Bight to see the whales ever since we crossed the Nullarbor plain in the summer.   Every year thousands of Southern Right whales migrate up from Antarctica to socialize, breed, and give birth in the calm shallow waters off the coast.  Named Right because they were the “right” type of whales to hunt, they were threatened with extinction in the previous century, and are gradually coming back from the brink. 

Leaving their feeding waters in the Antarctic, they travel thousands of miles across the open ocean to get here.  Being filter feeders, there is no food for them here, and they will go without food the entire time (about 6 months). 

We chose to drive to the whale-watching area at Head of Bight, which is on the eastern edge of the Bight.  About 150 of the 2,400 Australian Right Whales visit here each year.  Pregnant females will give birth in the calm shallow water here, while males compete for the other females' attention.  Males are up to 15m (47ft) long and weigh over 50 tons.  They wrestle, race, jostle, and breach in regular competitions for the available females.  This competition allows the females to select on the healthiest and largest males.

Some Southern Right Whale vital specs.

• Overall Length
• Female 17-18 meters (59ft)
• Male 14-15 meters (49ft)
• Calves 4.5 meters (15ft)
• Weight
• Female 70-80t (176,000lbs)
• Males 50-55t (121,000 lbs)
• Calves at birth 1t  (2,200lbs)
• Calves will gain 60kg (120lbs+) per day drinking milk that is 40% fat
• Cows will loose up to 20% of their body weight feeding their calves while they fast

It is impressive to see these enormous animals “frolicking” in the waves.  We were able to see several females with their newborn calves as well as numerous males in competition.  Even at a distance, it is quite impressive when a 50ft long animal jumps nearly out of the water.

Here are some males racing each other.  They will attempt to hold each other underwater, and use various other tactics to delay their opponent. 


This location has several large viewing platforms.  There were around 15 whales in view while we visited.


Here is a cow and her calf.  The calf may look small, bit it already weighs as much as a small car!  The mothers gently swim in the calmer water near shore for several months while they nurse.  When the calf has enough fat and strength to make the journey, they will set off across the ocean for the summer feeding grounds.




The coastline here has a rugged beauty.