Blue Whale surfacing about 10 miles off the Great Ocean Road.

The Blue Whale season started, as always in November last year. Numbers usually begin to peak around this time … between February and March. Just last week we heard news that dozens were seen in just a few days.

Prompted by local birdwatcher and artist Brett Jarrett (http://brettjarrett.com) we recently headed out to Cape Bridgewater and took a look offshore. It was during filming for the National Landscapes Nature Series that we got to see our first Blue Whale of the season.

Well out to sea and between Warrnambool and Portland is where many of these mighty animals swoop back and forth, sifting gob-fuls of water for krill and fish. It takes a keen eye and a good telescope to see them from shore but patience will usually be rewarded. It only took us a few minutes to spot one on the horizon. The tall spout of exhaled air and water was only just visible to the naked eye. It would have often been the first sign to Russian whalers years ago, that plundered so many of these animals that few people think they could ever see one in real life.

Yet here, just a few miles from one of Australia’s most popular holiday destinations “The Great Ocean Road”, hundreds of Blue Whales congregate every year.  This year, the only way to truly guarantee seeing one, is to go by helicopter. The Great Ocean Blues package is suited to groups. As well as Blue Whales, you’ll get to relax in the comfort of the delicate, light and airy luxury accommodation of Moonlight Escape.

With just a few weeks left to go in this year’s Blue Whale season, you could slip down right now and see for yourself. It’s only a couple of hours or so from Melbourne. Alternatively, put in an expression of interest for next year.

Happy whale-watching : )

http://www.greatoceanblues.com.au/packages.html