whale Whale watching season in Australia is a wonderful treat! The season begins in late May and runs until November.  During this time, humpbacks and orcas migrate from the cold waters of the Antarctic up to the warmer waters of Australia. The whales usually give birth in the warmer waters and then they travel back to the Antarctic with their calves. The whales are commonly seen on the east coast of Australia from Tasmania to Hervey Bay in Queensland. Popular whale watching destinations include areas of Sydney in New South Wales and the Gold Coast in Queensland. Both locals and internationals are very excited to participate in watching the beauty and magic of the whales. It truly is an unforgettable experience. There is one particular whale that you might want to keep an eye out for. Migaloo is Australia’s most well-known whale because he is a rare white humpback! Locals and tourists alike always report their sightings of this majestic creature.  You can follow the sightings here: https://twitter.com/migaloo1?lang=en Going on a whale watching excursion by boat is an incredible way to see them. If you are going to go on a boat trip to see the whales up close, you might want to keep the following tips in mind:
    1. 1. Be patient: Sometimes you might get lucky and see a whale straight away. Sometimes, it might take longer. Bring a card game or things to keep you entertained while you are waiting. There is no use being impatient while you are out in the middle of the ocean. Keep that positive attitude that you will see a whale soon and the wait will be worth it!
 
    1. 2. Wear proper footwear:If the sea gets a little rough, you might find it easy to slip or slide on the deck. Wearing proper slip-proof and closed-toe footwear will help to ensure that you do not experience any unnecessary injury during your whale watching.
 
    1. 3. Protect yourself from the sun:Make sure to wear a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen in order to protect yourself from burns and the sun’s harmful rays. It is also wise to stay hydrated as well and drink lots of water. Avoiding sun exposure and dehydration will also help to prevent sea sickness.
 
    1. 4. Combat sea sickness before it starts:If you know that you are prone to motion sickness, or even if you aren’t, you should probably take a tablet to calm your stomach before you get on the boat. Visit a chemist and pick up ginger lollies or sea sickness tablets. Some boats do sell tablets but it is always better to take them before you board. Most boats depart in the morning so make sure that you make the time to fit breakfast in. Eating breakfast will reduce your chances of getting sick. If worse comes to worse and you do feel sick, sitting outside and staring at the horizon will help to settle your stomach.
 
  1. 5. You can watch from land: If a whale watching excursion by boat doesn’t suit you and you’d rather watch from solid ground, then you do have options. Sometimes you can see whales from the beach. Other locations like national parks are great places to watch the whale migration. Here are some resources for watching from the shore:
      se-whalec3 Go whale watching with the iVenture card! iVenture card includes whale watching for Sydney and the Gold Coast: Gold Coast Flexi Attractions Pass offers Whales in Paradise http://goldcoastandbrisbane.iventurecard.com/attraction/whales-paradise/ Sydney Flexi Attractions Pass offers Captain Cook Cruises- Whale Watching http://seesydneypass.iventurecard.com/attraction/whale-watching-with-captain-cook/