Fraser Island Whale Watch's photostream

Every year thousands of humpback whales travel from Antarctica along the east coast of Australia to give birth in the warm waters of Northern Queensland. On their return migration they stop to rest and play and nurture their calves in the safe waters of Hervey Bay in the protected lee of Fraser Island.

It is an amazing experience to watch, from very close quarters - sometimes no further away than arm's length - 40,000kg whales leap out of the out of the ocean, lift their great heads to watch the whale watchers watching them, salute with their flippers, splash their powerful tails as they take a dive and roll over like puppies.