Whale Watching

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Winter Whale Watching

From May to September, our winter is a whale’s summer, and the giants of the deep journey from the Antarctic for their annual babymoon, breeding, birthing and raising their calves in our backyard. Along the Whale Trail through Warrnambool, Port Fairy and Portland, also known as the ‘whale corridor’, you’ll spot Southern Right, Humpback, Blue and the occasional Orca. Here is all you need to know before you jump in the car for this must-do winter road trip.

Did you see a whale?

Log your whale sighting and keep track of other sightings as they happen across the Great Ocean Road region.

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5 Whale Watching Tips

Here are our top tried and tested tips to spot yourself a whale this winter!

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The Whale Trail Itinerary

Warrnambool, Port Fairy and Portland - three whale watching destinations. Check out carefully selected experiences along the way that have been woven together by passionate locals into this must-do winter road trip.

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Download The Map

The whale trail at a glance, download your own PDF map to quickly see where the best whale spotting locations are - and how much there is to see and do along the way! Be sure to view the full itinerary for all of the juicy details and insider tips.

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Warrnambool - Port Fairy - Portland

A Winter Whale Trail Weekend

Warrnambool, Port Fairy and Portland are the main vantage points on the Winter Whale Trail – and the only places is the world where you can watch whales nursing their babies just 100m from the shore.

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Did someone say school holidays…?
There’s so much to do along the Great Ocean Road what are you waiting for?

Sep 18

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Did someone say school holidays…? There’s so much to do along the Great Ocean Road what are you waiting for?

Australia’s most important lighthouse, @capeotwaylighthouse is now open!
Purchase tickets upon arrival, with Spring opening hours ...

Sep 16

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Australia’s most important lighthouse, @capeotwaylighthouse is now open! Purchase tickets upon arrival, with Spring opening hours Friday- Tuesday 10am-5pm (last entry 4.30pm).Welcome back to the Cape!@visit_apollobay #greatoceanroad #visitgreatoceanroad #greatopia @visitmelbourne @australia #visitvictoria #stayclosegofurther

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Sep 13

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🙌 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 / We have a $5000 road trip holiday to giveaway - including return flights, car hire, ...

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🙌 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 / We have a $5000 road trip holiday to giveaway - including return flights, car hire, accommodation and experience to suit you!👉 How to enter - Follow @visitgreatoceanroad and @visitgeelongbellarine - Tag your road trip buddy (each tag is an entry) - Complete your entry via commenting 'Road Trip' and follow the instructionsThe winner will be notified via email on the 26th of October. Please be wary of fake accounts and note we will not contact you via DM to say you have won.T&Cs apply.#greatoceanroad #visitgreatoceanroad #visitgeelongbellarine #greaterthan #stayclosegofurther #visitvictoria #seeaustralia

Venture a little further and you’ll discover the greatest nature, food, wine and adventure. #Greatopia

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Venture a little further and you’ll discover the greatest nature, food, wine and adventure. #GreatopiaGreat shot by @declanhartleybrown_ 👏 #greatoceanroad #visitvictoria #visitmelbourne #stayclosegofurther @australia #iamotways @visit_apollobay

Want to run wild with Dad this Father’s Day? #Greatcall

#greatoceanroad #visitvictoria #visitmelbourne #fathersday ...

Sep 1

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Want to run wild with Dad this Father’s Day? #Greatcall#greatoceanroad #visitvictoria #visitmelbourne #fathersday #visitgreatoceanroad #greatopia #stayclosegofurther

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Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Great Ocean Road region the Wadawurrung, Eastern Maar & Gunditjmara. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging. We recognise and respect their unique cultural heritage and the connection to their traditional lands. We commit to building genuine and lasting partnerships that recognise, embrace and support the spirit of reconciliation, working towards self-determination, equity of outcomes and an equal voice for Australia’s first people.