Whale watching season has begun across Queensland, with thousands of humpback whales starting their annual migration along Australia’s east coast.
The migration is one of the state’s most significant nature-based tourism events, drawing visitors to coastal destinations from June through to October and supporting tourism operators and local economies throughout Queensland.
As the season begins, Brisbane Whale Watching is marking 30 years on the water by advocating for stronger protection of Moreton Bay, including progressing discussions around the bay’s potential for World Heritage status.
Founder and owner Captain Kerry Lopez said the milestone season was an opportunity to look beyond tourism and focus on the long-term protection of the region’s marine environment.
“For 30 years we’ve had a front-row seat to one of the world’s great wildlife migrations and we’ve seen firsthand why Moreton Bay is so special,” Captain Lopez said.
“The recovery of the humpback whale population shows what can be achieved when nature is protected. As we celebrate this milestone, we’re also looking to the future and working towards greater recognition and protection of Moreton Bay.”
“This is an environment of global significance. We want future generations to experience the same sense of wonder that visitors experience when they see a whale breach for the first time.”
Brisbane Whale Watching launched in 1996 after Captain Lopez secured one of only two original whale watching permits issued for Moreton Bay. Since then, the business has welcomed more than 300,000 guests from more than 50 countries and recorded more than 380,000 whale sightings.
Tourism and Events Moreton Bay CEO Luke Edwards said whale watching had become one of Queensland’s premier wildlife tourism experiences.
Coastal destinations driver
“The annual whale migration is one of the great natural spectacles of Australia’s east coast and an important driver of visitation for coastal destinations throughout Queensland,” Edwards said.
“For many visitors, seeing a humpback whale in the wild is a bucket-list experience. The continued growth of the whale population means more opportunities for people to connect with nature while supporting tourism businesses and regional economies.”
Over the past three decades, Captain Lopez has witnessed one of Australia’s greatest conservation success stories. Humpback whale numbers along the east coast have recovered from an estimated population of around 100 whales following the whaling era to more than 50,000 whales migrating past Queensland each year.
“To have witnessed the East Coast population grow from around 100 whales to more than 50,000 now passing through our magnificent Moreton Bay Marine Park is something that makes me incredibly proud,” she said.
Captain Lopez said the start of the season remained one of the most anticipated times of the year.
“It’s a feeling of privilege and freedom. That excitement never fades, and every season still feels just as special as the first.”
Peak season
The annual migration provides visitors with the opportunity to witness breaching, tail slapping and social interactions as whales travel north to warmer breeding grounds before returning south later in the season.
August and September are generally considered the peak season further north in Queensland. Being located further down the coastline, Moreton Bay benefits from an earlier and extended migration period, allowing us to experience the whales both earlier in the season and over a longer overall period.
Moreton Bay plays an important role during this phase of the migration, with its protected waters providing a sheltered environment where mothers and calves can rest and build strength before continuing south.
“What makes Moreton Bay unique is the role it plays later in the migration, when mothers and calves utilise the bay’s sheltered waters. It’s an extraordinary wildlife experience and one that highlights the importance of protecting this environment for future generations,” Edwards said.
Edwards added that Captain Lopez’s contribution extended well beyond tourism.
“Captain Kerry has spent three decades not only showcasing these magnificent animals to visitors but also helping people understand the importance of conservation and marine protection,” he said.
Whale watching tours are now operating across Queensland, with the season expected to run through until October.
