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Whitsundays Whale Heritage Area
The Whitsundays Islands

Whitsundays Whale Heritage Area

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Celebratory events or festivals
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The Whitsundays Whale Heritage Area is nestled within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and includes a group of tropical islands with fringing reefs and beaches. From around June to October, migrating humpback whales calve in the protected waters of the Whitsundays. Visitors are invited to experience the unique beauty of the Whitsundays through responsible ecotourism and the plethora of year-round festivals and events.

Species or habitat details

Cetaceans are a group of animals including whales, dolphins, and porpoises. They are an important part of the marine ecosystem in the Whitsundays, with six species of whale and four species of dolphin officially recorded as calling the Whitsundays home. Some species, like the short-finned pilot whale, can be seen year-round, while others are migratory.  
From around June to October eastern Australian humpback whales relax and calve in the protected warm Whitsunday waters. The Whitsundays is recognised as a significant calving ground for humpback whales due to the islands creating safe and sheltered locations for mothers to give birth and start teaching their young. 

Threats

The largest threat to cetaceans (whales and dolphins) in the Whitsundays is climate change. While this is a global issue, it will have direct impacts on whales, both due to changes in ocean temperature and ocean acidification and food source disruption, as krill abundance and distribution is also highly dependent on sea conditions such as temperatures, water quality, and the presence of sea ice.

Did you know?

As of 2023, it was estimated that over 40,000 humpback whales travel up the east coast of Australia each year to enjoy the warm waters over winter before heading back to Antarctica in summer. 

The Whitsunday is known as the heart of the reef because over 40% of visitors access the Great Barrier Reef from the Whitsundays.

Female humpbacks reach sexual maturity between the ages of 4 and 10 years. They produce a single calf every 2 to 3 years. Once the mother is pregnant, she will travel to the warmer waters of north Queensland to have her calf. A humpback whale calf is between 10-15 feet (3-4.5 m) long at birth and weighs up to 1 ton (907 kg). It nurses frequently on the mother's rich milk, which has a 45% to 60% fat content. The calf is weaned to solid food when it is about a year old.

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Why visit a Wildlife Heritage Area?

Trustworthy

Visitors to Wildlife Heritage Areas can take part in outstanding wildlife watching experiences that put wildlife first. Staying in a Wildlife Heritage Area helps local communities invest in animal welfare and wildlife conservation, benefitting community well-being and driving forward sustainable practices.

Designated for excellence

Communities achieve Wildlife Heritage Area designation by playing a central role in protecting wild animals and their habitats. With support from responsible travel organisations and wildlife experts, these communities are committed to help turn the tide on biodiversity loss and the climate crisis, adopt a zero tolerance for wildlife suffering in tourism, and advocate for positive change through a willingness to collaborate.

Stories

Human-cetacean conflict solutions

Human-cetacean conflict solutions

In 2009, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority zoned a Whale Protection Area in recognition of the Whitsundays being a significant calving ground for humpback whales. Within the protection area, approach distances for all air and sea-based vessels were increased to provide added protection for whales. This added distance directly benefits new mums who are given added...

Education and research

Education and research

Engaging the community and key stakeholders and providing education is the best way to protect cetaceans now and into the future. 

In 2023, the first pre-whale season event brought together tourism operators, with a focus on skippers, to engage with them about their added responsibilities during whale season. There were presentations from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park...

Cultural heritage (new / modern)

Cultural heritage (new / modern)

In 2023, the first annual Welcome Whale Event was held in the Whitsundays. It was designed and presented with Traditional Owners and included a Traditional Welcome to Country, a Smoking Ceremony, an Indigenous dance ceremony welcoming whales to the region, stories from Traditional Owners about their connection to whales, the opportunity to participate in creating a traditional...

Cultural heritage (traditional)

Cultural heritage (traditional)

The Whitsunday Islands and Airlie Beach Sea, Sky, and Land are Country to the Ngaro People who also share close connections through bloodlines, culture, and Country with the Gia and Juru Peoples.  
Due to colonialism, significant traditional knowledge and connection to (sea, sky, and land) Country has been lost. Fortunately, the people are strong and enduring. Recently, Ngaro...

Climate change mitigation

Climate change mitigation

The Whitsundays is doing its bit to help mitigate climate change. The Whitsunday Regional Council has partnered with EarthCheck to become a Sustainable Destination and support the Healthy Heart Project in its goal to decarbonise the region. The Whitsunday Healthy Heart Project not only looks at the council’s carbon footprint, it also engages the tourism sector. Having formed...

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