Last Sunday night my mate Mel from Left of the Middle Photography messaged to tell she was going whale watching on Friday down at the bay (Port Stephens). I sent the obligatory abusive messages back complaining about work and not being able to go. Monday morning at work i decided to hit the boss up for a day off and managed to talk my way into a day off. Score! So i quickly messaged Mel to tell her she would be putting up with me after all on Friday.
We were heading out with the wonderful crew on Moonshadow – TQC Cruises, departing at 10am from d’Albora Marina in Nelson Bay, about 50 minutes to the North East of Newcastle. I met up with Mel and a few other photographers and we headed for the boat.
It was an absolutely glorious day, the sun was shining, the sky was blue and the port was almost like a lake – perfect conditions to be heading out of the heads in search of whales. The trip out of the port really is spectacular. As you exit the marina, you turn to the right and start to head for the heads passing a number of little bays/beaches along the way.
As you go around the point you pass the Marine Rescue base, keeping sailors and boats safe out on the water.
Just before you exit the port you pass Tomaree Headland, where you can see some of the original fortifications made to protect the mainland from invasion during WWII.
The WWII gun emplacements and related structures on Tomaree Head were established from 1941 and form part of the remnants of a system of defence for the protection of Newcastle and Port Stephens – important enough to warrant its establishment as a separate fire command. It includes sites that were developed for heavy gun emplacements, light weapons and machine gun pits, torpedo tubes, search light stations, No. 20 Radar Station RAAF, barbed wire and stake defence, a command post and barracks and other miscellaneous buildings.
Once you’ve exited the heads you get a fabulous view of the spit and out to Shark Island and the old Port Stephens Lighthouse.
It wasn’t too long after exiting the heads before we spotted our first whale!
We spent the next little while following this little pod up and down the coast.
It’s always so hard to cull photos – so apologies in advance LOL
As we were traveling along with them we realised there was baby calf
As we headed back into port we detour via the seal colony. They were far less interested in than we were of them.
As often happens we were escorted through the heads by some dolphins.
Due to the depth of the port there is no heavy industry or big commercial activities, however there is a strong fishing fleet.
We arrived back at the marina just before 1pm, with enough time to jump off and grab some hot chips, before we head back out again – yes we were doubling up and doing two whale cruises.
It took us a little longer to find a whale on our afternoon cruise, but none the less we did find some.
It was a tail kind of afternoon …
We had turned to make the trip home when in the distance we saw this little dude absolutely playing up a storm.
The captain made a beeline for him.
Thankfully he hadn’t worn himself out before we got there.
and to finish off a short video taken on the morning cruise.
thanks for stopping by.
