Australia · WHALE WATCHING

The 15 Best Whale Watching Trips in Australia

48 tours  ·  ★★★★★★★★★★ 4.7 average  ·  from $45

Sydney: Whale Watching Adventure Cruise - Leaving the harbour for open water
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Sydney: Whale Watching Adventure Cruise

1.Whale Watching Adventure Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 1,790 reviews · 2h 45m · from $63Our pick

Sydney whale watching cruise with expert commentary, hot drinks, harbour views, and a whale-sighting guarantee for $63.

“Great fun, knowledgeable guides and we saw lots of whales and dolphins. Would 100% do it again!”

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Brisbane Whale Watching Cruise from Redcliffe or Sunshine Coast - Leaving Redcliffe aboard the Eye Spy
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Brisbane Whale Watching Cruise from Redcliffe or Sunshine Coast

2.Brisbane Whale Watching Cruise from Redcliffe or Sunshine Coast

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 997 reviews · from $114Top rated

Review of Brisbane whale watching from Redcliffe, with humpbacks, lunch, commentary, optional pickup, seating upgrades, and practical tips.

“Had a great day out. Saw many Mummas and their calves. A few breaching whales and lots of big tail slaps. Lunch is supplied and very fresh. Always love a day out whale watching with Brisbane Whale Watching Redcliffe. Crew and extremely knowledgeable and Captain Kerry is awesome.”

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Whale Watching Tour with Spirit of Gold Coast - A catamaran built for sighting whales
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Whale Watching Tour with Spirit of Gold Coast

3.Whale Watching Tour with Spirit of Gold Coast

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 884 reviews · from $53

Review the Spirit of Gold Coast whale watch, with marine biologist commentary, 100% whale guarantee, morning tea, and practical booking tips.

“We had a very enjoyable trip felt very privileged to spend so much time with these beautiful mammals. The trip was very well organised and Captain Dean was very knowledgable providing lots of information about the humpback whales. We got to see a mother and her calf breaching and flapping their tails to communicate. The trip was really good value for money and I highly recommend this trip .”

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Sydney: 2-hour Express Whale Watching Cruise - Choosing your place aboard Fantasea Crystal
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Sydney: 2-hour Express Whale Watching Cruise

4.2-hour Express Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 756 reviews · 2 hours · from $63

See Sydney’s humpback whales on a fast two-hour cruise from Circular Quay, with open-air viewing, expert commentary, and a free return trip if needed.

“Absolutely loved this. So easy to access from circular quay. Friendly guides and great ship and really excellent value for money. Worth it just to be out on the ocean but also amazing to see whales and dolphins. Took 4 kids aged 9-13 and everyone loved it!”

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Spirit of Gold Coast 2.5-Hour Whale Watching Tour - Finding humpbacks along the Gold Coast
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Spirit of Gold Coast 2.5-Hour Whale Watching Tour

Hervey Bay: Ultimate Whale Watching Experience - Entering Platypus Bay and the Great Sandy Marine Park
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Hervey Bay: Ultimate Whale Watching Experience

6.Ultimate Whale Watching Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 656 reviews · 3 hours · from $84

Hervey Bay whale watching review: small-group boat, marine scientists, live whale songs, close encounters, snacks, tips, value, and booking advice.

“This is a must-do activity! The crew and guide are very friendly, dedicated and knowledgeable. We saw some amazing whales and received clear information and facts on them. In addition, you are supporting crucial research to help protect these great animals and our oceans. Thanks again for this wonderful tour!”

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Whale Watching Boat Trip in Sydney - Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House from the water
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Whale Watching Boat Trip in Sydney

7.Whale Watching Boat Trip in Sydney

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 571 reviews · from $99

Sydney whale watching from Darling Harbour with a small boat, expert commentary, harbour views, and a free return trip if no whales appear.

“Thoroughly enjoyed this whale watching experience. Rex (skipper), Isaac (host and guide) and Alex (professional photographer) took good care of us and were great fun! They were knowledgeable, friendly, humorous and enthusiastic. We were extremely lucky to see several whales breaching - it was very exciting to spot and follow them. Be prepared to get a bit wet from the waves splashing but it’s not bad and all part of the fun! Thank you for a fantastic time guys! From Laura and Lucy (Scotland). 😊”

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Hervey Bay 4-Hour Whale Watch Encounter - Why the Great Sandy Strait crossing matters
Fraser Coast Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching

Hervey Bay 4-Hour Whale Watch Encounter

8.Hervey Bay 4-Hour Whale Watch Encounter

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 562 reviews · 4 hours · from $109

Review of Hervey Bay’s 4-hour Tasman Venture whale watch, with close humpback encounters, expert guides, catamaran comfort, and practical tips.

“Fabulous day out, the crew were all very friendly and engaging, the guide very knowledgeable. We saw lots of whales that swam right up to the boat, awesome experience, highly recommend it.”

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Hervey Bay Whale Watching Experience - Hearing whales through the onboard hydrophone
Fraser Coast Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching

Hervey Bay Whale Watching Experience

9.Hervey Bay Whale Watching Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 557 reviews · from $111

Review of Whalesong Cruises in Hervey Bay, with whale encounters, meals, pickup, viewing decks, practical tips, and honest value advice.

“Amazing day. We saw so many whales breaching and fin flapping. The crew were friendly and so helpful. Food was great. What more could you ask for”

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Hervey Bay Whale Watching Cruise - The catamaran and the best place to watch
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Hervey Bay Whale Watching Cruise

10.Hervey Bay Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 553 reviews · from $111

Review of Hervey Bay’s Tasman Venture whale cruise, with close humpback encounters, hydrophones, family perks, pickup details, and honest tips.

“Amazing. Huge thanks to the whales that put on a show and the weather gods, but it couldn’t have been done without the team at Tasman Venture. Excellent commentary and vibrant staff made a great day even better.”

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Fraser Island Whale Watch Encounter - Sailing from Hervey Bay toward Platypus Bay
Fraser Coast Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching

Fraser Island Whale Watch Encounter

11.Fraser Island Whale Watch Encounter

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 466 reviews

Review of Blue Dolphin’s Fraser Island whale watch from Hervey Bay, with small-group sailing, whale songs, lunch, pickup, and practical tips.

“The best trip we’ve done in Australia! Seeing the whales was amazing and we learnt so much about them and their behaviour during the day. We saw so many whales! We were so lucky to watch a mother bring her calf right up to the boRead more”

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Brisbane: Whale Watching Cruise with Lunch - Boarding the multi-million-dollar MV Eye Spy
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Brisbane: Whale Watching Cruise with Lunch

12.Whale Watching Cruise with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 448 reviews · 5 - 8 hours · from $113

Cruise Moreton Bay on MV Eye Spy for humpback whales, a fresh lunch, Captain Kerry’s insights, and practical Brisbane pickup options.

“An absolutely unforgettable experience seeing these beautiful creatures!! The Guide was extremely knowledgeable and showed so much compassion for these animals. I 100% will be doing this again next year! A must do if visiting or passing through Brisbane!!”

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Gold Coast: Premium Whale Watching Cruise - Why the Humpback Highway matters
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Gold Coast: Premium Whale Watching Cruise

13.Premium Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 444 reviews · 150 minutes - 1 day · from $63

See humpback whales near the Gold Coast on a 2.5-hour cruise with marine guides, whale song, dolphins, turtles, and a 100% sighting guarantee.

“The crew was friendly, the cruise was amazing. An experience I will not forget in my life. We took so many videos and photos and we saw 5 whales. A group of three was so close to the boat and one flipped himself just next to the boat, I was so lucky to take photos of him. Overall the experience was great and worth every cent.”

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Premier Whale Watching Byron Bay - Setting out from Richmond River
Byron Bay Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching

Premier Whale Watching Byron Bay

14.Premier Whale Watching Byron Bay

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 413 reviews · from $92

Review the Premier Whale Watching Byron Bay tour, with marine biologist guides, whale guarantees, Ballina departure tips, pricing, and practical advice.

“Amazing experience. We saw so many whales splashing and jumping. Once in a lifetime experience, totally worth. However I was a little bit disappointed that on Viator it says the experience lasts approx. 2.30hours but after 1.50hr we wRead more”

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Sydney: Discovery Whale Watching Tour by Catamaran - The open-ocean search is the heart of the trip
Boat Trips and Cruises, Boat Trips in Sydney, Sailing, Sydney Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Whale Watching, Whale Watching in Sydney

Sydney: Discovery Whale Watching Tour by Catamaran

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