During the winter, southwest of Victoria, tourists flock to well-known whale watching sites to see southern right whales breeding their young.
Key points:
- DELWP establishes an exclusion zone on Logan Beach each year from June 1, but surfing is still allowed as long as surfers stay within 50 feet of the whale.
- Whales are an important part of First Nations culture Keerray Woorroong Gunditjmara
- Surfer Chrissie Duncan says it’s pretty humble to realize how small humans are next to whales
Numerous female whales travel from Antarctica each year and settle in protected bays along the southwest coast of Victoria.
One cool Sunday morning at Warrnambool, people stopped as three large southern right whales lazily broke the water of Lady Bay.
Surfers Chrissie Duncan and Courtney Wines said they were thrilled to share the water with the huge marine mammals, including a mother and a calf.
Mrs. Wines (left) and Mrs. Duncan says they feel lucky to be able to observe the whales. (Provided by: Robin Sharrock)
“It’s a pretty humble experience because you realize how small you are and you think,‘ Wow, these are the biggest creatures on the planet, and you’re very close to them, ’Duncan said.
“You feel really small and you just have to pinch yourself and think,‘ Wow, we’re very lucky. Not a bad place to call home. “
Although the Department of Environment, Spatial Water and Planning establishes an exclusion zone on Logan Beach each year from June 1, surfing is still allowed as long as surfers stay within 50 meters of the whale.
Numerous female whales travel from Antarctica each year and settle in protected bays along the southwest coast of Victoria. (Provided by: Robin Sharrock)
“You definitely have a better idea of size [while surfing]”said Mrs. Wines.
“You can appreciate how much underwater there is that you don’t see at the top.”
Whales have brought people together for a long time and form an important part of Keerray Woorroong Gunditjmara First Nations culture.
Years ago, when the Koontapools, as the Gunditjmara call the southern right whale, embarked on their journey south, the traditional owners gathered and sang the whales.
During all these years, mammals still inspire admiration.
“They’re really taking people out of their homes and bringing people together,” Ms. Wines said.
The Koontapool is an important part of the First Nations culture Keerray Woorroong Gunditjmara. (Photographed by: Robin Sharrock)