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 little 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 listing journey for good cause.
The journey
Regardless of Nullarbor which means ‘no timber’, you’ll be stunned by simply how a lot development there may be to see, with timber and scrub masking the panorama for lots of the drive.
Ceduna is the final main city on the Eyre Freeway earlier than heading west, however you may nonetheless purchase gasoline and meals at Penong earlier than you get to the Head of the Bight.
While you’re crossing the Nullarbor, be certain to cease for the compulsory photograph on the signal declaring the beginning of the Nullarbor Plain. There are a selection of different stopping factors alongside the way in which, 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 straightforward to identify, and there’s ample room for automobiles and caravans to park. Should you’re travelling with a canine that’s okay, however they have to keep in your car.
The entry charge, which you’ll must buy contained in the centre, provides you entry to the customer centre and whale viewing platforms the place, throughout season (Could to October), you may 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 measurement 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 often arrive from Could onwards annually to offer delivery and lift their newborns. On the peak of the season in June and July, there may be as many as 80 whales seen off this stretch of coast! After 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 reality: Researchers utilizing pictures of the whale’s distinctive markings have been in a position to determine particular person whales and have found that the identical ones typically return annually.
The place to camp at Head of Bight
If you’re absolutely self-contained and need to camp off-grid, there are a variety 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 little 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 gasoline.
Earlier than you go
Winter on the southern fringe of Australia isn’t the warmest, so ensure you put on loads of layers to guard your self from the wind on the Head of the Bight.
You’ll additionally need to convey a digicam and a zoom lens if in case you 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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