Whale watching
Whale watching at its best
Southern Right Whales at Head of Bight take up 'residence' for an entire 5 month period between June and October and generally remain within a 15km long section of coast.
The high cliff line provides fantastic views for the land-based whale watchers, and boardwalks are available at Head of Bight to take visitors to two main viewing areas, one to the east and one to the west of the main pathway. The boardwalk ramps are sloped for wheel chair access.
From the boardwalk you can marvel at the lopping, diving, spy hopping and slow motion somersaults of these majestic whales. See these magnificent endangered creatures mate and calve in the nursery waters or simply watch them arrive from Antarctic waters with humpback whales. If you listen carefully you may even hear the moaning of the Southern Right Whales as they swim within the bay.
The Head of Bight picnic area also doubles as an education facility with a number of display boards displaying the habits, behaviours and other scientific curiosities relating to the Southern Right Whale.
Whale Watching Season
- Mid May to late October
- Whales with calves tend to stay 'in residence' at the site all season
- You are guaranteed to see a whale from June to September
- At the height of the season (July/August), over 100 whales can be in the area at one time
FAQ
Is there accommodation at Head of Bight
Unfortunately at this stage of our development there are no facilities available for accommodation. The closest accommodation can be found at:
- Nullarbor Roadhouse approximately 15 km WEST of Head of Bight - (08) 8625 6271
- Nullarbor National Park approximately 100km WEST of Head of Bight- (08) 8625 3144
- Border Village approximately 200km WEST of Head of Bight - (08) 9039 3474
How many whales will I see?
The number of whales varies depending on when you visit. During the breeding season (June to October) you may see 110 whales at one time or even more!
Can I swim with the Whales?
No, whales are a protected species and there are very strict guidelines to adhere to. You have to remain at least 100m away from them at all times.
Do I need binoculars or are the whales close enough to shore to see without them?
Even though the whales do venture close to shore, binoculars would make whale viewing even better! So it would be a good idea to bring them along. There are a few binoculars on the boardwalks that you can pay to use.
end faq
Things to See and Do
FROM CEDUNA TO THE NULLARBOR ROADHOUSE
Travelling along the Nullarbor
Ceduna
Ceduna is the pathway to the Nullarbor and is well known for its beautiful, peaceful location. Ceduna is a rough translation of the local Aboriginal word "Chedoona" which is said to mean a place to sit down and rest. Ceduna is the host to Australia's largest oyster festival which is held on the South Australian October long weekend each year.
Penong
73kms from Ceduna
Penong was established at the arrival of the railway line in 1915. It is the first town on the road after you leave Ceduna. Penong has a pub, Caravan Park and a couple of shops. It is notable for its windmills which pump the local water supply from a large underground basin.
Cactus Beach
21kms South from Penong
Cactus Beach is one of Australia's most famous surfing beaches. It is popular with surfing enthusiasts because it has three perfect surfing breaks. Castles and Cactus which are both left handers and Caves which is a powerful right-hand break. It is remote, and the surroundings are beautiful. Even though the land surrounding the beach is privately owned, permits are available for camping.
Fowlers Bay
58 kms from Penong
Fowler's Bay is an isolated town on the coast surrounded by sand dunes and excellent fishing beaches. Off the Fowler's Bay jetty you can catch Mulloway, Whiting, Garfish, Tommy Ruff, Trevally and Sweep. Fowlers Bay amenities include accommodation, a caravan park, a public phone, playground, undercover picnic facilities and public toilets.
Nundroo
32km from Fowlers Bay
Nundroo once well known for its sheep grazing is now more famous for its wild flowers, massive sand dunes and fishing at Scott Beach, Mexican Hat and Cabots Beach. Nundroo's amenities include a Hotel / Motel and Service Station. Nundroo is a perfect place to have a break along the way.
Dog Fence
The Dingo Fence or Dog Fence is a pest-exclusion fence which was built in Australia during the 1880s. It was built to keep dingoes out of the fertile south-east part of the continent and protect the sheep flocks of southern Queensland as dingos had nearly all been exterminated there. It is one of the longest structures in the world and is the world's longest fence. It stretches 5,614 km from Jimbour on the Darling Downs through thousands of kilometres west of Eyre peninsula on cliffs of the Nullarbor Plain above the Great Australian Bight near Nundroo.
Yalata Beach - Camping and Fishing
51kms west of Nundroo
The area surrounding Yalata Community was declared an Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) in October 1999. The IPA covers an area of 456,300 hectares and is managed by Yalata Community Inc. The area is of great cultural importance with dreaming tracks which cross the continent of Australia converging in this area.
Yalata Indigenous Protected Area provides some of the best natural dune camping areas available. It also lies adjacent to some of the best remote surf fishing available on the Far West Coast of South Australia. Recreational fishing species include Mulloway, Snapper, Australian Salmon and Shark. Camping is only permissible in designated camp sites and a permit is required. Details of permits and how to book can be found on the Yalata IPA website: http://www.yalata.org
Bunda Cliffs
The spectacular Bunda Cliffs stretch for 200 kilometres along the Great Australian Bight between the Head of the Bight and the border with Western Australia. They are approximately 80 metres in height and are the remains of an ancient ocean bed that was subject to geological uplifting millions of years ago.
Photo courtesy of Claire Charlton- Eubalaena Pty. Ltd
Illcumba Dunes
Illcumba Dunes are the most beautiful, wind shaped dune fields in Australia. The complexity of the dune system is apparent when you stand at the Head of the Bight and look from east to west. Enjoy the view of the dunes from Head of the Bight and other various stops along the way.
Nullarbor Roadhouse
16km west of HoB
The Nullarbor Roadhouse has a wide range of facilities for the Nullarbor traveller. Meals, fuel, motel, a licensed restaurant, a caravan park, backpacker rooms and laundry facilities. The Nullarbor Roadhouse is open from 7:00am to 10:00pm 7 days a week and has EFTPOS facilities available. Nullarbor Roadhouse also has a bar that is open Monday to Saturday between 10:00am and 10:00pm. Sunday bar hours are 12 midday to 8:00pm.
About Head of Bight
One of the most spectacular whale watching sites in South Australia (or indeed, the world) is the HEAD OF BIGHT, near the Nullarbor Plain in the State's Far West coast.
Together with the adjacent Nullarbor National Park and Regional Reserve plus the Great Australian Bight Marine Park the precinct contributes to a sense of isolation and discovery in this near wilderness location.
At this unique geographical spot, a mini-desert of towering sand dunes meets a sheer line of 90m limestone cliffs.
In the sheltered waters of the bay below, Southern Right whales congregate en masse to give birth to calves.
Combining accessible viewing platforms with the spectacular backdrop of the Bunda Cliffs and superb pristine beaches, the facility offers travellers an unparalleled opportunity to view the large numbers of Southern Right Whales.
Approach to the centre is via a sealed road and attached to the car park is a comfortable undercover picnic area for travellers.
Public Toilets and water tanks are also provided for the use of travellers. The Head of Bight picnic area also doubles as an education facility with a number of display boards displaying the habits, behaviours and other scientific curiosities relating to the Southern Right Whale.
Head of Bight offers fantastic views with or without whales and travellers are encouraged to visit all year long. Bunda Cliffs are part of Australia’s most awe-inspiring coastlines and HoB is the perfect location to take in this majestic sight. It is a peaceful location that provides for driver and passenger a relaxing break and stunning views.
