The Whale Track on Minjerribah North Stradbroke Island
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The Whale Track on Minjerribah / North Stradbroke Island
The whale track on Minjerribah / North Stradbroke Island on Quandamooka Country has been designed to provide people with some of the best land-based whale watching in South East Queensland.
Finding the Whale Track
Although very well designed and maintained, the Whale Track is slightly off the beaten track in Naree Budjong Djara National Park, and easy to miss if you don't know to look for it. To get to Point Lookout, you catch one of the fast water taxi services through
Stradbroke Ferries or the
Stradbroke Flyer . Each of these fast water taxi services is synced with the island bus that transports visitors to Amity Point or Point Lookout where the Whale Track is located. Alternatively, you can bring your own vehicle over to the island on the
Stradbroke Ferries Vehicle Barge and drive to Point Lookout.
Once you are in Point Lookout, walk from
Mulumba Park along the headland for about a kilometre back towards Dunwich until you come to Snapper St. Follow this up the hill for a short distance until it meets Bambara St. At this junction, you will see the Whale Track sign. From here, the Whale Track is 950m and ends at the parkland above
Deadman's Beach .
Following the Whale Track
Almost immediately upon entering the Whale Track, you will come across the first of two raised viewing platforms.
These viewing platforms provide views across
Frenchman's Beach , which humpback whales pass each year on their annual migration. From about June, they can be seen swimming north from Antarctica to their breeding grounds at Hervey Bay. By late October, the majority have passed the island again, with their new calves, on their way home.
From here, the Whale Track passes through coastal forest that is alive with birds. Occasionally, eastern grey kangaroos can be seen, although this is more likely early in the morning and late in the afternoon.
Although the Whale Track is not particularly steep, it does have a few areas of steps which unfortunately make it unsuitable for prams and wheelchairs.
The Whale Track ends in a cul de sac at Cutter St (also in Point Lookout), at the entrance to the parklands above Deadman's Beach. There are benches and picnic tables overlooking the ocean here, and steps leading down to the beach. This location provides a perfect break before heading back along the Whale Track to look for more whales and return to your starting point.
Yalingbila - humpback whales - and other wildlife
The Quandamooka people have been watching humpback whales - yalingbila - migrate along this coastline for more than 20000 years, and the whales continue to hold great spiritual and cultural significance for them. Today, at the height of each year's migration it is still possible to see up to 200 whales pass the island on a single day. The two platforms and coastal pathway of the Whale Track provide a perfect opportunity for visitors to enjoy the wonder of their migration first hand without ever leaving land.
Dolphins are also frequently seen along this stretch of coastline, as well as endangered loggerhead turtles, green turtles, manta rays, and sharks. Additionally, white-bellied sea eagles, brahminy kites, and eastern ospreys are frequently seen soaring above the ocean.
Things to bring on the Whale Track
Sunscreen and sun-protective clothing - even in winter
Insect repellent, especially from spring to autumn
Fresh drinking water is available at the parks at either end of the trail, but bring a water bottle that can be refilled
Binoculars and a camera to view and capture memories of the whales as they migrate past the island
#aboriginal
#animals_wildlife
#beaches
#child_friendly
#national_parks
#picnic_spots
#point_lookout
#redland
#walks
#whale_watching
%wnbrisbane
174997 - 2023-06-15 14:47:03