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.

I can't help with the whales, but enjoy your trip!

Lee Ann

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

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

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

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.

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/

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.

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.