Whale watching is one of our top Kid Bucket List items and an activity that brings us incredible joy. One of the most spine-tingling moments you can experience in nature is seeing wild animals at play. Discovering them in their natural environment can be breathtaking especially when we’re talking about whales. Whale watching in Sydney with kids is one of our top winter activities!
Best Whale Watching in Sydney with Kids
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Here in Sydney, there are two whale watching seasons: the migration north to mate and birth (typically from May to August), and then the return south to feed in the Antarctic waters in summer with their calves. In the average year, mid-June to mid-July is the peak time to spot whales here in Sydney.
When it comes to whale watching in Sydney, humpback whales are the most common sighting with around 20,000 of them migrating along the New South Wales coastline during our winter months. However, on occasion whale watchers are blessed with a sighting of minke whales and orcas. You just have to go whale watching in Sydney with kids!
The Best Time to Go Whale Watching
While tens of thousands of humpback whales migrate north during winter, seeing then from the coastline can take a little planning and a whole lot of luck. The best type of day to go whale watching in Sydney with kids will be calm with low wind – it makes it easier to spot the whales.
During the migration season, the whales are on a constant swim both day and night, although they can be hard to spot. The very best time to spot them from shore is in the mornings which allows their blow to be easily spotted as it is backlit by the sun. When the sun is a little higher in the late morning or early afternoon, there’s less glare too, so that time of day also provides some opportunity to spot the whales.
How to Spot a Whale
Spotting a whale takes a little concentration. You will need to constantly scan the ocean and look for their signs. What you are looking for is either its spout or vertical spray that will be silhouetted against the water or the sky, or a big splash. If it’s a nice calm day without much wind, look out for white caps on the ocean surface. They could be whales too!
The Best Vantage Points to See Whales
There are numerous spots to go whale watching in Sydney with kids. Some are easy to get to, others will require a walk to access the right spot. We suggest rugging up against the wind and taking along your binoculars.
North Head Lookout, North Head National Park
North Head lookout, Manly is situated on the northern-most edge of the harbour. For the best vantage spot to see the whales, you will need to head to the clifftops of North Head. Here you will be rewarded with a spectacular panorama of Sydney Harbour and the city’s skyline.
Where: Sydney Harbour National Park. Beyond the roundabout turn off for Q Station
Opening Times: Open 6.00 am – 8.00 pm daily
Fee: North Head carpark: $5 per vehicle per day. There are pay and display machines that accept cards and coins – no change given.
CLICK TO READ ABOUT NEARBY MANLY QUARANTINE STATION
Lady Bay Beach, Sydney Harbour National Park.
Whilst Lady Bay Beach is quite tiny, it is one of the best places for whale watching with kids in Sydney. Located between South Head and Camp Cove, it provides a spectacular view of the harbour. Just be warned, it is a designated nude bathing area although you are unlikely to see many swimmers in winter!
Where: Lady Bay Beach is in the South Head precinct of Sydney Harbour National Park. Parking is available at Camp Cove carpark
Opening Times: open sunrise to sunset but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
Fee: Park entry fees apply
Barrenjoey Lighthouse, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
Barrenjoey Lighthouse can be found on the most northerly part of the Palm Beach peninsula in the Ku-ring-Gai Chase National Park. It’s over 100 metres above sea level so you will need to wind your way up on foot, but the exertion is well worth it when you see the view. Remember to bring your own water.
The lighthouse itself was built in 1881 and is an important heritage landmark. You may wish to head up on a Sunday when tours of the lighthouse are available.
Where: 1199D Barrenjoey Road, Palm Beach NSW 2108. Inside Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
Opening Times: Due to the steep walk up, daylight hours are recommended
Fee: FREE. Parking is available along Barrenjoey Road or at Govenor Phillip carpark (Pittwater Council). Please note that this is paid parking.
CLICK TO READ ABOUT BARRENJOEY LIGHTHOUSE WITH KIDS
Cape Solander, Kamay Botany Bay National Park
Named after the botanist, Daniel Solander, Cape Solander offer an unrivaled whale watching spot here in Sydney. While the cliffs of Cape Solander can be a little scary, the lookout to the Pacific Ocean makes it worth every moment.
Where: 21 Cape Solander Drive, Kurnell NSW 2231
Opening Times: 7.00 am–7.30pm August to May. 7.00am–5.30pm June to July. Areas may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
Fee: $8 per vehicle per day applies in the Kurnell area only. The park has coin-operated pay and display machines – please bring correct coins. The park also has credit card accepting payment facilities.
Dobroyd Head, Sydney Harbour National Park
Dobroyd Head in Sydney Harbour National Park not only offers a stunning location for whale watching in Sydney with kids, but also provides an opportunity to explore Aboriginal history with the site offering several known rock engravings made by the region’s Aboriginal inhabitants. Including humans, and both marine and land mammals, these images have been etched into the sandstone and are well preserved. They are not to be missed!
Where: The best vantage point is located near Grotto Point and Washaway Beach in the Dobroyd Head precinct of Sydney Harbour National Park. To get to Dobroyd Head, cross The Spit Bridge and turn right onto Sydney Road. Turn right into Woodland Street North, then left into Bareena Drive, which becomes Dobroyd Head Scenic Drive. The closest access point is from the carpark at the end of Cutler Road, Balgowlah Heights. The site is approximately 100m downhill from the carpark.
Opening Times: Daylight hours
Fee: Park fees may apply
Hornby Lighthouse, Sydney Harbour National Park
Designed by colonial architect Alexander Dawson, and built in 1858 following the wrecking of the Dunbar, this lighthouse was the third ever built in NSW. Compared to the walk to Barrenjoey Lighthouse, the walk to Hornby Lighthouse is fairly easy and is not far from Watsons Bay in Sydney Harbour National Park. It’s a fantastic spot for a little whale spotting in Sydney with kids.
Where: S Head Heritage Trail, Watsons Bay NSW 2030
Opening Times: Daylight hours
Fee: Park entry fees apply
South Head
One of the wonderful things about whale watching in South Head in the Sydney Harbour National Park is that there are so many fantastic lookouts to choose from, each providing fantastic opportunities for spotting the gorgeous marine mammals.
Where: Sydney Harbour National Park
Opening Times: Daylight hours
Fee: Park entry fees apply
How Close Can You Get To A Whale?
Here in NSW, the Biodiversity Conservation Regulation 2017 protects marine mammals including whales, dolphins, and seals while allowing people to appreciate them in the wild. These regulations have been developed to reduce any disturbance to the animals so their welfare can be maintained.
There are strict approach distances beyond which one can approach a marine mammal, whether on a vessel or swimming. For whales, this varies from 30 m to 500 m depending on whether you are swimming or on a vessel. Predominantly white whales have a further distance.
Resources: Australian National Guidelines for Whale and Dolphin Watching 2017
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