Whales!

Old Sep 28th, 2012, 02:08 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 438
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Whales!

I have been very apprehensive and nervous about planning for this trip to Sydney after having to cancel in July at very short notice due to illness, but we are definitely leaving tomorrow at 6:40am from Wellington. Yay! We are so looking forward to spending a fortnight in Sydney, renewing our aquaintance with an interesting city, and getting over the horrible colds DH has had and I still have !

When I was planning for our trip in July I read about a restaurant where people were watching whales frolicking close into shore, and added that to our itinerary. Now I am wondering if the whales are still easily seen from the shore around Sydney, preferably where public transport can deliver you close by. Hopefully one of the lovely Sydney-ites will be able to let me know.

Thanks in anticipation.
Dot.
dottyp is offline  
Old Sep 29th, 2012, 08:10 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 11,525
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I can't help with the whales, but enjoy your trip!

Lee Ann
ElendilPickle is offline  
Old Sep 30th, 2012, 04:59 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,248
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I hope you have already seen plenty of whales.
I can't help with what the restaurant might be but I thought you would enjoy seeing this recent article about Migaloo, the albino humpback, who has been able to return to the waters of the Queensland for the yearly whale migration (despite the harvesting of whales in the Antarctic by the Japanese).
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/nat...-1226482573961
Diamantina is offline  
Old Sep 30th, 2012, 12:00 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 14,962
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 1 Post
The Reataurant was Pilu at Freshwater Beach.
No guarantees of seeing whales, but they're certainly about.

Why not take a whale watching boat trip?
Those know where to go & are fast enough to move to see them
Bokhara2 is offline  
Old Oct 4th, 2012, 02:25 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,248
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Even though dottyp has probably already seen some whales, maybe other Sydney-bound travelers will enjoy this article:
http://www.smh.com.au/environment/wh...004-271rj.html
Diamantina is offline  
Old Oct 13th, 2012, 05:42 AM
  #6  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 438
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi, everyone. Thank you for your replies. Unfortunately I was not able to connect with internet while in Sydney so couldn't access your responses. We looked for whales whenever we were near the ocean - at Manly the day before diamantina's article! - including just before we left today, but no luck.
Bokhara2, I'm a very nervous traveller on a boat outside the protection of the harbour and decided against a whalewatch cruise. Even got a bit nervous going to Watsons Bay on Thursday when it was a little swelly!!
I'll just have to save up and go to Sydney again next year, perhaps a little earlier this time.
dottyp is offline  
Old Oct 13th, 2012, 06:22 PM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,248
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Sorry you didn't see any whales, but I hope you had a good time anyhow.

If you are ever in California from August through mid-November, you might try seeing whales there (humpbacks and blues). I used to go Whale Watching every year. One year, I got terribly seasick. After that I took seasickness medication and never got sick again.

You can also see the grey whales on the yearly migration right from California's shores from December through mid April. No need to go out on a boat.
http://www.bigsurcalifornia.org/whalesgray.html
http://www.mendowhale.com/
Diamantina is offline  
Old Oct 13th, 2012, 10:01 PM
  #8  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 438
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks, Diamantina. If I ever get the chance to go to California I will bear those months in mind, but my days of gallivanting around the world are quickly drawing to a close with retirement looming.

ElendilPickle, we had a wonderful time in Sydney. We didn't do all of the activities I had planned, as I was still struggling to regain my wellbeing (which I appear to have now done, thank you, Sydney!) and we found others, such as walking across the Harbour Bridge at road level. That was out of my comfort zone as I am not too good at heights, and certainly not over water but I LOVED it. I hope to write a brief report next weekend. Can't wait to return to Sydney.
dottyp is offline  
Old Oct 15th, 2012, 04:23 AM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,248
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi dotty, I know exactly what you mean about retirement and traveling. But you never know, what with the NZ dollar steadily gaining in value against the US dollar.

My husband and I are soon to retire, too. While we are living down here in Dunedin, I hope we can see more of this gorgeous country before we return permanently to the US. Because the transpacific airfare is so high, I doubt we will have the chance to return to NZ for visits after we go "home".

It seems to me, NZ has more than any traveler can hope to explore in a lifetime, and there is always something new. Plus, you are so close to Australia and the Pacific Islands.
Diamantina is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
hartman32
Australia & the Pacific
7
Jul 26th, 2013 12:16 AM
Banff
United States
12
Jun 4th, 2011 04:01 PM
see_the_world7
Australia & the Pacific
3
Jan 16th, 2011 09:19 AM
JoniC
Canada
13
May 27th, 2010 07:47 AM
MietteMeg
Australia & the Pacific
4
Nov 21st, 2005 02:16 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -