4 EDEN - SAPPHIRE COAST - SPRING 2024 Whales making a big splash in Eden this spring While the historic, deep-sea port of Eden offers bay cruising, fishing charters, diving, fabulous fresh seafood, and amazing scenery all year 'round, it's the spring migration of thousands of whales that really puts this idyllic seaside town on the map. Shore-based whale-watching During spring, the thoughts of many locals and visitors turn to spotting whales. Each year, starting in the last month of winter, some 40,000 humpback whales travel the 'Humpback Highway' along the NSW Sapphire Coast as they make their southern migration to Antarctica for the summer. And this year will be no exception. The Sapphire Coast is one of the best places for land-based whale-watching in Australia, and the town of Eden tops the list. That's because Eden's Twofold Bay is a sanctuary for migrating humpback whales and southern right whales, which come close to shore with their calves between August and November each year. This rare behaviour makes them easily visible from land. The Sapphire Coast is dotted with stunning headlands, rocky outcrops, winding coastal trails and elevated lookouts in national parks and coastal reserves, providing excellent vantage points for spotting whales out at sea. The best times are generally in the early morning or late afternoon, when the weather is often calmest and the sun is low in the sky, lighting-up the whale's 'blow' as they surface to breathe. While there are many popular land-based whale watching locations on the Sapphire Coast (including Green Cape Lighthouse, Tathra Headland Lookout, Long Point Lookout, Murunna Point, Boyd's Tower, Haycock Point, Tura Headland Lookout, and the Bermagui Blue Pool Lookout), Eden's Rotary Lookout (just a two-minute drive from Eden's main precinct) is possibly the most renowned and reliable, with whales often coming surprisingly close to land. Whale-watching cruises Whale-watching cruises from Eden (as well as Merimbula and Bermagui) depart several times a day during Spring, and trip times vary from two hours, to half-day adventures, with bookings highly recommended during peak periods. To find out more about whale watching in Eden – and right along the Sapphire Coast – head to the relevant information centre in the Sapphire Coast town in which you're travelling (see page 27 of this feature for addresses and contact details) or visit this website: sapphirecoast.com.au/whales Killer Whale Trail It's also worth taking the self-drive Killer Whale Trail, an intriguing road-trip into the past to a time when, sadly, whales were hunted almost to extinction for their oil. The trail includes a stop at Davidson Whaling Station, the last of its type to close down in Australia. Killer Whale Museum An Eden icon, the the three-level Killer Whale Museum has been in operation for almost 80 years and provides a fascinating journey into the area's whaling, timber and fishing heritage. It also features the real-life skeleton of the region's most famous killer whale 'Old Tom'. See page 6 of this edition for more information and photos of this impressive attraction. Whale Dreaming Trail Eden has an ancient indigenous history dating back many thousands of years. One way to gain an insight into this history is on the Whale Dreaming Trail – an accessible 600metre walk through native gardens in Eden, that begins at the bottom of Imlay Street (near the cafés and restaurants of Snug Cove) – and leads to a lookout over Turemulerrer (Twofold Bay), the coastal gateway to the Bundian Way. With specially designed signage, you will learn about the ancient relationship between the traditional First Nations people, the Katungal, and the beowas (killer whales) that predates European history by thousands of years. After returning from the lookout, you can continue walking up towards the other end of Imlay Street and on to the Eden Killer Whale Museum. The trail is accessible from either end. Find out more To find out more about whale-based adventures on the Sapphire Coast, head to the Eden Welcome Centre and Art Space at Snug Cove – it's a treasure trove of maps, guides, gifts and friendly local staff, which make it well worth a visit. You can also find out more about Eden and surrounds, including local whale-watching cruises, at visiteden.com.au During spring, Eden’s Twofold Bay is a mecca for thousands of migrating whales. Photo: Visit Eden Scan here for full detailed map NETHERCOTE RD PRINCES HWY PRINCES HWY PRINCES HWY BOYD ST MITCHELL ST MITCHELL ST IMLAY ST ALBERT TERRACE IMLAY ST BARCLAY ST IMLAY ST PRINCES HWY PRINCES HWY ASLINGS BEACH RD ASLINGS BEACH RD CALLE CALLE ST CALLE CALLE ST BASS ST COCORA ST CATTLE BAY RD BUNGO ST WEST ST WEST ST WIRRIGA ST PHILLIPS ST IDA RODD DRIVE LAKE CURALO QUARANTINE BAY WEECOON COVE CALLE CALLE BAY COCORA BEACH CATTLE BAY SNUG COVE YALLUMGO COVE ASLINGS BEACH TWOFOLD BAY BEOWA NATIONAL PARK GEORGE BASS PARK MARTHA KIRBY PARK ROTARY PARK ROTARACT PARK NETHERCOTE TO PAMBULA & MERIMBULA TO EAST GIPPSLAND TO NULLICA STATE FOREST EDEN Welcome to
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