Top 5 places to watch the whales this winter

18 May, 2017 It’s that time of the year again – the anticipated winter school holidays are just around the corner and the humpback whales are already relishing the change in season as they begin their annual Great Migration.

This iconic event offers a spectacular opportunity for the whole family to witness world-class acrobatics as thousands of humpback whales journey north from their cold Antarctic feeding grounds to the warmer sub-tropical waters of the east coast of Australia.

Their expedition generally starts from the end of May and by mid-August the whales are beginning to head back south with their newborn calves; it’s around this period where they tend to spend more time on the surface and swim slower (so the calf can keep up).

From Port Stephens to Sydney and further north to Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, Oaks Hotels & Resorts has revealed the top spots to watch the whales this winter:

PORT STEPHENS

Made up of 26 golden sandy beaches this pristine ‘blue water paradise’ of Port Stephens on New South Wales’ mid-north coast transforms into a whale-watching hotspot, welcoming hundreds of the magnificent marine mammals to its sheltered waters each year. Home to the largest and most scenic marine park in the state, and a luxurious fleet of vessels, Port Stephens provides for a breathtaking day out on the water.

SYDNEY

Sydney and its surrounding coastline offers countless vantage points, but a favourite among locals, and just a short ferry ride from Circular Quay or stroll from Manly, is North Head. Situated on the northern-most edge of the Harbour with breathtaking panoramic views of both the Harbour and Sydney skyline, you’ll want to spend all afternoon here – be sure to pack a picnic.

GOLD COAST

The Gold Coast’s seaside hub of Coolangatta provides holidaymakers with plenty of opportunity to spot the whales – without splashing the cash. With several whale-spotting viewpoints dotted along the Gold Coast’s southern beaches, including Kirra, Burleigh, Greenmount headlands, and Point Danger - there’s a free show for all.

REDCLIFFE

Further north and just 30 minutes out of Brisbane, the Redcliffe Peninsular is also renowned as a whale-watching haven, perfect for those planning a weekend away and wanting to see the whales in Moreton Bay. This holy grail of whale watching provides tours for all budgets and sailing preferences, with many guaranteeing 100% sightings.

SUNSHINE COAST

The migration route of these Southern Hemisphere Humpback Whales brings them within close proximity to the Sunshine Coast shores, but there’s nothing quite like experiencing the magic of getting up, close and personal with a whale. With peak season on the Sunny Coast running from July to November you’re almost guaranteed an impressive show, with several charters leaving daily.

Make your whale watching experience even more special with a stay at one of Oaks Hotels & Resort’s nine properties positioned in the above locations. To book or for more information, please visit www.oakshotelsresorts.com

ENDS

ABOUT OAKS HOTELS & RESORTS

Oaks Hotels & Resorts is one of Australia’s largest self-contained, accommodation providers, currently incorporating a portfolio of 56 properties spanning Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, the Northern Territory, South and Western Australia as well as New Zealand, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates.

Providing the luxury of space, Oaks Hotels & Resorts offers a range of contemporary accommodation, from hotel and resort rooms and suites, to furnished serviced apartments, in central city locations and resort destinations.

ABOUT MINOR HOTELS

Minor Hotels (MH) is an international hotel owner, operator and investor currently with 156 hotels in operation. MH passionately explores new possibilities in hospitality with a diverse portfolio of properties designed intelligently to appeal to different kinds of travellers, serving new passions as well as personal needs. Through our Anantara, AVANI, PER AQUUM, Oaks, Elewana, Tivoli, Four Seasons, St. Regis, Marriott and Minor International properties, MH operates in 24 countries across Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, the Indian Ocean, Europe and South America.

With dynamic plans to expand existing brands and explore strategic acquisitions throughout opportunistic markets, MH pursues a vision of a more passionate and interconnected world.

For more information, please visit www.minorhotels.com

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