It’s spring and the fish are jumping in southern Australia and, just like the nomads who make the trek north for the winter, the whales are heading home for the summer – but not without making a splash along the way.

Fueled by an explosion of krill and pilchards in spring, whales almost frolic along the southern stretch of the east coast and into WA, coming closer to land on the return journey to Antarctica than they do on the way up at the beginning of winter.

Visitors from Cairns in Queensland along the east coast and around to WA are often treated to an ocean circus, as the great mammals breach and dive with their new calves from September through to November/early December.

And while whale watching tours along the route offer guaranteed encounters with these majestic mammals, visitors can often spot them from the shore.

Whether you are in a tent, a cabin or a Recreational Vehicle, you’ll have the same opportunity to experience a bucket-list encounter with one of nature’s most majestic mammals – and the same chance to relax and unwind as the kids splash in waterparks and play in the playgrounds and pools, the network is famous for. 

In September you can see Mother Humpbacks teach their calves survival skills in the protected waters of Hervey Bay before continuing south. Stop in at Discovery Parks - Fraser Street, Hervey Bay and jump on a whale watching tour to see whales in their natural environment. While you are there, take another fabulous nature experience – a tour to Fraser Island.

At Discovery Parks – Byron Bay until November, you can watch dolphins and whales from the Cape Byron Lighthouse or visit the Cape Byron Marine Park – before hitting the surf or the famous Byron café scene.

Visitors to Discovery Parks – Foster can spot whales from the break wall or dive among the shipwrecks at Seal Rocks.

Picturesque Discovery Parks – Pambula Beach on the NSW Sapphire Coast is also an ideal base for some whale watching adventures, with the Express Whale Watch leaving from nearby Merimbula and the Killer Whale Museum, just 8km away in Eden.

Southern Rights whales calve just near Discovery Parks – Warrnambool, at Logan’s Beach. They often swim within 100m of shore, clearly visible from the sand dunes or the specially constructed whale viewing platform nearby.

And while Western Australia’s Margaret River is best known for its gorgeous wines, its whale watching is almost as famous with nature lovers as almost 35,000 whales pass through Geographe Bay, near Busselton and Dunsborough over a 6-month period. Discovery Parks – Bunbury Village and Discovery Parks - Bunbury Foreshore both provide a handy base for a visit to the celebrated region and, while you are there, drop into the Dolphin Discovery Centre for more information on marine mammals. Spot humpback whales resting and nursing their young in Geographe Bay in September to early December from vantage points along the Cape to Cape Track or take a cruise to get a closer look.