Where to go whale watching near Melbourne

After visiting Phillip Island’s famous fairy penguins, stick around and see if you can spot a whale. From Phillip Island it’s possible to see humpback and southern right whales – updates on where whales have recently been spotted can be found by checking out the Phillip Island Whale Watchers group or by following the Two Bays Whale Project Facebook page. Top whale spotting sites on the island include Cape Woolamai, Pyramid Rock, Surf Beach and the Nobbies and Summerlands areas.

Book a tour: Wildlife Coast Cruises runs whale-watching tours, during which you’ll also see Phillip Island’s seals, albatrosses and dolphins.

If you’ve ever driven along the Great Ocean Road you’ll realise why it’s a great spot for whale watching. The entire 243-kilometre stretch of road features lots of vantage points to stop and spot whales, with the most spectacular roadside lookouts found between Lorne and Apollo Bay. Make sure to stop in designated stopping areas as the road is narrow and has many blind corners. It’s also possible to see whales from Apollo Bay beach, where they come as close as 100 metres to the shore. You can stay apprised of recent whale sightings on the Great Ocean Road by visiting the road’s official tourism website.

Whales can be spotted right along the Great Ocean Road, but drive just a little further and you’ll reach one of Victoria’s best whale watching locations: Warrnambool. The seaside town that gave us Dave Hughes, Paul Jennings and Tom Ballard is also home to a nursery for southern right whales. Head to Logan’s Beach between June and September to catch a glimpse of whale calves and their mothers from the specially constructed platforms on the sand dunes. It’s not uncommon to spot the whales only 100 metres from the shore.

Keep going west from Warrnambool and you’ll reach Portland – a town of only 10,000 people plus whales. From May to October you’ll be able to see southern right whales as they migrate and calve, but visit in summer for something special: blue whales. During November to May, Portland is occasionally visited by the largest animal to ever live: the mighty blue whale. Some of the best whale spotting locations include the lookout on Wade Street and vantage points at Portland Harbour and Bridgewater Bay.

This national park is mainland Australia's southernmost point, and its coastline is a perfect spot to try and sight whales as they return from their southerly migration after birthing season. A majority of the sightings in this area are of humpback whales, but occasionally southern right whales are spotted here as well. If you're lucky, you may also catch glimpses of dolphins, fur seals and albatrosses.

Book a tour: Wildlife Coast Cruises runs a six-hour whale cruise that also showcases the spectacular coastal formations and remote bays along the Prom, including Rabbit Island and hidden coves.