Grab your binoculars, your patience and a sense of awe and head to the nearest headland, it’s whale watching time! And this season is expected to be one of the best yet.

Last year, humpback whales were removed from the threatened species list due to their increasing numbers and the season is extending as up to 50,000 humpbacks are expected to hit the highway – the humpback highway, that is – and we’ve got the lowdown on how best to see them locally. 

Between May and late July, humpbacks are heading north from their feeding grounds in Antartica to the warmer Queensland waters to mate and give birth. Juvenile males tend to lead this charge north with lots of argy bargy amongst the pods. As it’s now mid-June, you can expect to start seeing cows with last season’s calf still in tow.

Hill 60, Port Kembla

I’ve only recently started to appreciate how fabulous a whale-watching spot Hill 60 is. First of all, the view is pretty special and you can expect to spot loads of pelicans, a friendly dolphin or two while you wait for the gentle giants to approach. 

If you stay up top, you’ll have a view up and down the coast – a great approach if you’re looking for quantity. If you’re hoping for more up close and personal encounters, you can head to the lower car park and hang out around the rock ledges there. This area is notorious for waves so stay well away from the edge and keep an eye on the ocean at all times.

Did you know the Marine Rescue Tower often has its balcony open to the public? Here you’ll have a bird's-eye view of the surrounding ocean.

Bushranger’s Bay, Bass Point

Okay, this one is a bit of an open secret but boy oh boy, you just can’t beat hearing the rush of air out of a whale’s blowhole, or the slap of a fin by a passing marine giant.

Top tip: for the Northern Migration (May to late July), head to the southern side of Bushranger’s Bay. You can access this via the Fisherman’s Walk track. This is a grassy, sometimes muddy path and you will find a lot of uneven rocks to scramble over. Keep a firm grip on kiddies and try to keep your jaw off the floor as the gentle giants approach (in some cases) incredibly close to the rocks.

For the Southern Migration (September to November) the best vantage point is from the Boston Shipwreck carpark. There’s a short concrete path here for those less mobile or if you score a spot facing the ocean, you can whale watch from your car.

The Balconies, Royal National Park

Okay, okay, not really in the Illawarra but it’s only about a 700 -metre walk from where you head off (park on Beachcomber Ave, Bundeena) to a fantastic view. We saw over 20 pods when we headed to this spot a couple of weeks ago. The path is a mix of smallish rocks and some boardwalk before leading onto the sandstone itself. There is no shade so definitely pack a hat and some water and enjoy the ride.