One of the vital spectacular land-based whale-watching experiences in Australia needs to be on the Head of the Nice Australian Bight (Head of Bight). It’s a protracted drive (a bit over 1,000 kilometres west of Adelaide), however this epic journey to the Nullarbor Plain and the sting of the nation is a bucket record journey for good purpose.
The journey
Regardless of Nullarbor that means ‘no bushes’, you’ll be shocked by simply how a lot progress there may be to see, with bushes and scrub protecting the panorama for lots of the drive.
Ceduna is the final main city on the Eyre Freeway earlier than heading west, however you’ll be able to nonetheless purchase gas and meals at Penong earlier than you get to the Head of the Bight.
Whenever you’re crossing the Nullarbor, be sure that to cease for the compulsory photograph on the signal declaring the beginning of the Nullarbor Plain. There are a variety of different stopping factors alongside the best way, with a number of viewing areas overlooking the spectacular Bunda Cliffs, which in some locations are 120 metres excessive.
Head of Bight Customer Centre
The turnoff to the Head of Bight Guests Centre is simple to identify, and there’s ample room for vehicles and caravans to park. In the event you’re travelling with a canine that’s okay, however they have to keep in your automobile.
The entry price, which you’ll must buy contained in the centre, provides you entry to the customer centre and whale viewing platforms the place, throughout season (Might to October), you’ll be able to see the majestic creatures alongside the shoreline beneath the Bunda Cliffs. Again within the customer centre, seize some snacks, drinks and souvenirs, and study extra in regards to the space and the species of whales that go to annually.
Whales and cliffs
The limestone Bunda Cliffs are breathtaking. The sheer dimension of them makes you’re feeling minuscule; it’s an actual fringe of the earth feeling at Head of Bight. Take a wander to the viewing platforms to face as near the sting as you’d need, soaking in an epic overhead perspective of the whales.
The whales normally arrive from Might onwards annually to provide start and lift their newborns. On the peak of the season in June and July, there might be as many as 80 whales seen off this stretch of coast! Once we visited on a day in August, there have been about 24 whales, together with a pure white calf.
The whales typically keep near the sheltered space of the cliffs with their calves at Head of Bight, and are shut sufficient to observe their attention-grabbing behaviours and listen to their blows as they cruise previous.
Enjoyable truth: Researchers utilizing pictures of the whale’s distinctive markings have been in a position to establish particular person whales and have found that the identical ones typically return annually.
The place to camp at Head of Bight
In case you are absolutely self-contained and need to camp off-grid, there are a selection of free tenting websites on the Bunda Cliffs. Alternatively, there’s a tenting area to remain outdoors of the doorway gates to the Head of Bight Customer Centre.
For a bit extra consolation, the Nullarbor Roadhouse is 25 kilometres west and has powered and unpowered websites, ranging from $25 per night time. Right here, you’ll discover ablutions, a store, a restaurant, a bar and gas.
Earlier than you go
Winter on the southern fringe of Australia isn’t the warmest, so be sure you put on loads of layers to guard your self from the wind on the Head of the Bight.
You’ll additionally need to deliver a digicam and a zoom lens you probably have one. You’ll be amazed at how shut the whales can get, and the Bunda Cliffs are all the time a spectacular sight.
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