Australia's friendliest whales, watched the right way
Australia Whale Experience is a division of Lady Musgrave Experience, the Bundaberg operator running day tours to Lady Musgrave Island and the Southern Great Barrier Reef. The same crew, the same vessel, the same standard — pointed at the humpback migration.
Our luxury catamaran gives you the best viewing platform available, with attentive, knowledgeable staff answering your questions as the whales move up the coast.
The whale season, month by month
First arrivals. The northbound run begins and the season opens.
Numbers build fast. Breaching, tail slaps and competitive pods.
Peak season. Mothers and new calves resting in sheltered reef water.
Late southbound traffic, and the calmest, closest encounters of the year.
What the day looks like
A half day on the water with the crew that knows these whales — built for families, photographers and anyone who has only ever seen a humpback on a screen.
Plan your whale watching trip
Where to go, when to come and what the day involves.
Why they come to Bundaberg
Humpbacks migrate annually from summer feeding grounds near the poles to warmer winter breeding waters closer to the Equator.
The sheltered waters of the Southern Great Barrier Reef are where mothers rest with new calves before the long trip south — which is why encounters here are so close, so calm and so consistently spectacular.
Read the migration guide → Browse the whale knowledge hub →From the water
See the full gallery →
Love whales? You'll love Australia Whale Experience
We stayed in Bundaberg so we could do the Lady Musgrave Experience, and it did not disappoint! The whole day was fantastic! The crew were so friendly and knowledgable.
What an amazing day out, I had no idea I would be so close to the whales. A few of the whales were so close you could look right into their eyes. It was one of the best days of my life!
We had a great day out. Crew were lovely, food delicious. They split the day so you are doing a walk on the island, ride the glass bottom boat and can snorkel for a couple of hours.
Sleep on the reef
Lady Musgrave HQ is unique accommodation moored on the reef at Lady Musgrave Island. Snorkelling, scuba diving, guided island tours, kayaking and swimming with turtles — then a night out on the water under the stars.
LEARN MORE ABOUT LADY MUSGRAVE HQ
