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    Warrnambool Whale Watching
       A comprehensive guide to whale spotting in the South west of Victoria

Sunday 21st October 2007 (11:00AM) - The last report for 2007 - This years whale watching season started with high expectations, as the two previous years had seen whales in record numbers in the bay and also record numbers of tourists coming to the city of Warrnambool. Even the Dept of Sustainability and Environment ( DSE) were playing catch up by instigated a plan to roster volunteers at Logan beach during the whale season ( local whale enthusiast Peter Read had been doing this on his own volition for the last two years) and local accommodation operators planned an extensive advertising campaign for the whale season.
The sign that things were not going to plan, were apparent from about the third week in June, by this stage there had not been any sightings of Southern Right whales even though there were frequent sightings of migrating Humpback whales and also the lack of sightings from Ceduna and Victor Harbour in South Australia were also disturbing.
During the next 8 weeks there were 3 or 4 brief visits, where Southern Right whales swam into the bay at Logans beach and left again within a matter of hours, and by the end of August everyone realised that the whales season was over

There have been a number of theories of why the whales didn't come to Warrnambool this year including a popular belief that seismic testing that was being conducted around Port Campbell may have scared the whales off, but it doesn't explain why we saw considerable numbers of migrating Humpback whales during the same period. The answer probably lies in the fact that this year whale numbers were down in all of the usual whale watching locations - in fact the head of the Bight sanctuary at Ceduna only had about 50 whales this year ( they normally get over 150) and Victor Harbour where numbers are usually about 3 adults and 3 calves the numbers this year they only had 1 adult and 1 calf in the area consistently

We are hoping that this years whale season was an anomaly and that things return to a normal situation next year, and we look forward to covering next years whale watching season

Photos below were taken on Sunday 21st October 2007 at 11:00 PM

The last photos for 2007 Quite a bit of activity at Logans beach today with a local surfing competition in progress
Clear blue skies, a sunny 26 degrees and consistent 1 metre waves at Logan's today
South West Victoria's link with Southern Right Whales ( Including Logan's beach)
Firstly a few facts - each year between May and June, Southern Right Whales return to the southern coast of Australia ( also New Zealand, South Africa and South America) to give birth, raise their young and commence the breeding cycle again - of the many thousands of Southern Right Whales on the planet, some indeterminate number ( typically about a dozen) arrive in the south west of Victoria.
What seems to happen when the pod arrives off the coast is that the pregnant females isolate themselves from the pod and search out a quiet location close to the shore to give birth and apparently each female has her own favourite location. So what in effect happens is that Southern Right whales will give birth in many different locations along the South West coast ( Apollo Bay to Portland) rather than just one location ( as some tourist operators would like us to believe).
What sets Logan's beach apart is that there are a number of females who consistently come back to this bay each time they calve and that the vantage point at Logan's gives such a good view from the shoreline.
South West Victoria's link with Blue Whales ( Portland - Cape Nelson)
Each year between November and April, along the South West Coast of Victoria (and South Australia) an oceanographic phenomenon called ocean upwelling occurs. A combination of winds and currents cause cold, nutrient-rich bottom water to be forced to the surface of the ocean. When the nutrients reach the sunlit surface zone, there is an explosion of minute plant life which includes 'phytoplankton', the basis of the marine food chain, and also the primary food of the local species of krill. The vast numbers of krill form part of an ocean banquet which attracts large numbers of blue whales to this feeding ground off Victoria's coast. The event is called "The Bonney Upwelling" and is one of a handful of sites globally where Blue whales can be seen surface-feeding. Although the feeding site extends up to 30 - 50Kms off shore, they are often sighted closer to shore and between December and May blue whales are often visible from Cape Nelson, Cape Bridgewater and the Blowholes, all near Portland. The whales are often sighted within 10km of land, and sometimes within only a few hundred metres. Their tall straight blows and silvery backs can be seen from a great distance, and it likely that most whales seen blowing out at sea during this period are blue whales. This is one of the few places in the world where blue whales can be viewed from land, while they hunt for and feed on the abundant swarms of krill which are nourished by the Bonney Upwelling.


Tips For Whale Watching in and around Warrnambool
* Check with the Warrnambool Visitor Centre for daily sightings
* Take a good pair of binoculars or telescope.
* Be prepared for long periods of waiting
Whale facts The Southern Right Whales is one of the largest mammals on earth being only marginally smaller than the Blue and Humpback whales. Like humans, they are warm blooded, give birth to live, fully developed young, breathe air, and feed their young on their milk. The calf is approximately 5 to 6 metres at birth and can double in weight over the first week
An adult whale averages 15 - 18 metres in length and 50 - 90 tonnes in weight
The Southern Right Whales normally swim between 3 to 9 kilometres per hour.
They feed in the fertile waters of the Antarctic during summer months and leave in late March and make their way north to give birth raise their young and then in September ( or October) return to the Antarctic.
The Southern Right Whale usually breeds every 3 years. The pregnancy is 11 months. The Southern Right Whales received their name from early whalers. This particular whale swims slowly, in herds, and close to the shore. Once harpooned, they would float on the surface. These whales produced a large amount of oil and whalebone, making it an excellent catch, and the 'right' whale to hunt. Today, the Southern Right Whale is protected in Australian w
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MOTEL WARRNAMBOOL
2007 Whale Special

2 nights, (3 days) for 2 people in a deluxe unit, cooked breakfast both mornings - whale cruise or road tour plus $40 restaurant voucher $255 total Click the photo for more information and to book direct


CITY HEART MOTEL
Now with On-line Booking

2007 Whale season special - 2 nights accommodation, with a complimentary breakfast each morning and a 2 course dinner one evening for $110.00 per person twin share   Click the photo for more information and to book on line

ALL STAR MOTOR INN
Whale Watching Special


$85 per night per couple including a Cooked Breakfast and Free Dessert with any Dinner to Unit ordered during your stay. Must be booked on line Click the photo for more information and prices
Special On-Line prices available


STONECUTTERS INN

Pay for two and stay for three offer, Applies to either the Galley of Loft apartments. Stonecutters Inn is just 3 blocks from the centre of the city. Click the photo for more information and prices


 

TURN IN MOTEL

The closest motel to Logan's beach, and the whale viewing platform - stay two nights for just $60,per night per couple, or stay 3 nights for just $50 per night Click the photo for more information and prices


 

HONEYSUCKLE COTTAGE
Now with On-line Booking

Sleeps up to eight people - close to the centre of the city. Stay 3 nights midweek for just $295 all inclusive ( normally $450 ) Click the photo for more information and prices


 

 

 

Link to the latest sightings in South Australia and Western Australia
Bunda Cliffs -
Head of the Bight