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Best whale watch spots on South West coast

     RAC South West mini-breaks:
     Wineries
     Gourmet getaway

A humpback whale calf is already the size of a small car when it’s born and drinks around 200 litres of milk a day.

By the time it’s fully grown, each of its lungs will be the size of a small car.

For those keen to experience the scale of these magnificent creatures first-hand, the season is well under way.

Over the Foundation Day long weekend, three whales were spotted some 100 metres from the beach in Scarborough, and earlier this month a pod of humpbacks put on a stunning display off the beach at Augusta.

Around June, humpback and southern right whales start their 12,000 kilometre trip from the cold southern ocean to warmer waters in the north to breed.

On the way, they follow WA’s continental shelf, staying relatively close to the coast.

Around September, whales with young calves start making their way back south to feed.

Fortunately there are plenty of vantage points up and down our coast, particularly in the South West. You’ll find many purpose-built viewing platforms between Dunsborough and Albany.

Humpbacks are known to be one of the most acrobatic of whales, so their breaching and playful behaviour, coupled with their proximity to the coast, provide quite a spectacle.

Southern right whales were hunted to near extinction last century but are now protected. Though their numbers are slowly increasing, it is believed that there are only some 3000 southern right whales worldwide. This makes a real-life encounter such a unique and unforgettable experience.

Whale watch vantage points - South West coast

Dunsborough, Geographe Bay Large numbers stop to rest in the protected bay.	Point D’Entrecasteaux South of Northcliffe. Walk trail with several platforms.
Cape Naturaliste Whale Lookout Platform 13 km from Dunsborough. A 1.3 km return walk from Lighthouse car park.	Conspicuous Cliffs 15 km east of Walpole.
Shelley Cove (Bunker Bay) 13 km from Dunsborough. Viewing platform above the limestone cliffs.	Ocean Beach, Denmark Viewing points at Wilson Head and Lions Lookout.
Sugarloaf Rock Viewing Platform 13 km from Dunsborough. Lookout is situated just a short flight of stairs from the car park.	Albany, King George Sound Humpbacks frequently come in to the natural harbour here.
Canal Rocks Rotary Lookout 4 km south of Yallingup. A 400 metre return walk from the car park.	Whale World 22 km from Albany. Sweeping views over King George Sound.
North Point, Gracetown Car park overlooking Gracetown and Cowaramup Bay.	Sandpatch 15 km from Albany. Lookouts along boardwalk.
Redgate Beach South of Margaret River.	Rotary Lookout 3.5 km from Albany. Platform above the boardwalk.
Hamelin Bay 18 km north of Augusta. Follow the boardwalk, South of the boat ramp.	Tooleburrup Hill, Bremer Bay The highest point in Bremer Bay.
Augusta, Flinders Bay Numerous vantage points along Leeuwin Road.	Point Ann, Fitzgerald River National Park 65 kilometres east of Bremer Bay.