As the pods, mothers and calves stick close to shore along this stretch of the coastline (it gives them a chance to rest), both seafarers and landlubbers have plenty of opportunities to spot these gigantic gentle creatures.

The key to spotting whales from land is to find an area offering an elevated view of the sea. Luckily, across Eurobodalla the regions cliffs, headlands and lookouts provide myriad excellent vantage points.

Longing to find out if you can tell a playful Humpback from a Southern Right? Eurobodalla is the right place to put your knowledge to the test: 30,000 whales make their way up the local coastline each winter (June/July is the winter peak) before travelling back down in spring as part of an annual whale migration (September to November is spring peak).

As for telling those whale species apart? Here are two tips to get you started: unlike the Humpback, the Southern Right has no dorsal fin, so keep your eyes glued for its back. Plus, the Southern Right pushes water out of not one but two blowholes in a ‘v’ shape. The Humpback? Its single blowhole creates one big, ‘bushy’ blow.

Whale Watching

South Head, Moruya is the entrance to the Moruya River, a stunning location and a surfing mecca for locals... and not only the two legged type. Dolphins are regularly seen in pods surfing the waves in the same formation as humans: in line, darting in and out of the best breaks.

During the spring months, head to Toragy Point. Here you'll have a great vantage point to see the whales during their southerly migration. You can also ponder the past at the historic grave site. To the north you can see break-wall, a favourite spot for fishermen trying their luck as the fish run in and out with the tide.

Nearby, off The Loop Road, Shelly Beach is a popular sheltered beach with picnic facilities and a great choice for families.

To make the most of South Head, stay a few days or longer at Dolphin Beach Holiday Park or hire a cottage. Make sure to bring your kayak as you can launch from several points along the river, or bring your bicycle and ride the cycle path into Moruya.

Toragy Point and Moruya Heads Lookout

Burrewarra Point Banksia Walk

Wasp Head Walk

South Coast Seaplanes provides scenic flights and specialty tours along the beautiful South Coast of New South Wales.

Go with them to experience the coast from a perspective you've never imagined.

There is nothing quite like the experience of gracefully speeding across the water and slipping into the sky - and that's all before you take in the views. With incredible unspoilt beaches on one side of the aircraft and stunning mountain views on the other, they can take you on a journey you will never forget.

Choose between one of their packages, or give them a call to design your own special adventure. A scenic flight in a beautiful seaplane is the ultimate special occasion gift for all ages.

South Coast Seaplanes operates from Moruya and Narooma in New South Wales - right in the heart of Australia's Oyster Coast.

South Coast Seaplanes

Moruya Main Beach is a lovely long, wide stretch of beach. The grassy reserve is well equipped with picnic tables, toilets, playground and the local Surf Lifesaving Club. For a fantastic view of Main Beach and the coast, follow Coronation Drive and Shelly Beach Road up to Moruya Heads Lookout

Moruya Main Beach

Although it’s an island by name, Broulee Island is joined to the mainland by a sandbar so it’s always accessible. Your chances of success at spotting whales are high regardless of which side of the island you are on. Broulee Island is also a good place to see dolphins and, out of the water, a wonderful display of native plants and marine birdlife, including the superb fairy wren and white bellied sea eagle.

Broulee Island Nature Reserve

Shelly Beach is located at the entrance to the Moruya River, to the west of Toragy Point.

A walkway leads from the eastern end of the car park to a large viewing platform overlooking Shelly Beach. The beach faces north towards the Moruya rock wall and Bengello Beach, making the beach well protected.

The beach is not patrolled. Waves average 0.5-1 m and maintain a low tide terrace, with small boundary rips, which intensify during higher waves. This beach is good for swimming and relatively safe close to the beach. Tidal currents and channels form further out and near the entrance walls and tidal shoals at the river entrance can produce a nice left wave for surfing.

At the eastern end of the beach you will find a picturesque picnic area. Facilities include carpark and toilets, picnic benches and barbeques.

Shelly Beach Picnic Area - Moruya Heads

Dark Beach Walking Track

Cookies Beach Picnic Area - South Durras

Region X Sea Kayak and Camping Adventures

Beaches dot the edge of Murramarang National Park, bringing with it plenty of opportunities to access some of the Park’s best whale watching spots.

Nearby, the easy two-kilometre return Wasp Head walk not only offers whale watching opportunities and spectacular views down to the rocky cover of Wobbegong Bay, but it passes through a number of historic Aboriginal sites enroute. Richmond Beach and Dark Beach are two other options worth adding to your list, as is Emily Miller Beach.

Myrtle Beach

Broulee Beach

Game On Charters Batemans Bay

Toragy Point has plenty to offer whale watchers: views north along the coast, interpretive signage about whales and marine life courtesy of National Parks, limited parking, some seating and an historic graveyard – all less than ten minutes out of Moruya. To get there, turn left off the Princes Highway just south of Moruya into South Head Road, drive toward the coast, and up around the headland.

Toragy Point

South Head is a secluded headland with two small clearings, one to the north and one to the south. Both can be accessed via a short walk along paths at the end of Tallawang Avenue, Malua Bay. To get here from Batemans Bay drive south along George Bass Drive (the Coast Road) and turn left into Tallawang Avenue. There is limited street parking.

If you are wanting to venture from the land around Batemans Bay, the whales are so close that guests of local adventure operator Region X often spot them while out on a kayaking tour!

South Head, Malua Bay

Snorkelling Broulee Island

Burrewarra Point Lookout

Eighteen kilometres south of Batemans Bay, this lookout is a 20-50 minute easy walk from the beach carpark at Guerilla Bay. Be warned, you may be so engrossed in the breathtaking views up and down the coast that you forget to focus on potential whale sightings. To find the lookout take the Guerilla Bay turnoff onto Burri Point Road. The track to the walk and lookout is signposted.