Breaching whale on the Surf Coast

The waters along the coast from Apollo Bay to Lorne have become a nursery for a number of mothers with their calves - cosy in comparison to their summer feeding grounds in the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic regions.

Sightings have become more frequent over the last few years.

Whales start to put on a show off the Surf Coast in late autumn and can be seen until spring, adding yet another attraction to this beautiful part of Australia's coastline.

To make it easier to pinpoint where whales are most likely to be seen, whale flags have been set up at the visitor information centres in Lorne and Apollo Bay and in the townships of Wye River and Onion Bay.

Drivers are asked to take care to pull over in one of the many lookouts or turn-outs to admire these natural wonders of the Southern Ocean in safety.

There are two types of the world's largest mammal that frequent these waters. Humpbacks, on their way to warmer waters off the Queensland coast, are distinctive in that they breach (break out of) the water.

Scientists believe this could be a form of communication, or perhaps they just want to put on a show for the whale watching enthusiasts on land.

The Humpback has a more uniform dark grey body and white underbelly. It also has a dorsal fin and is slimmer than a Southern Right Whale.

The Southern Right Whale is the second largest whale after the famous Blue Whales, which pass through in summer, but usually out to sea. The Southern Right Whale is a baleen whale.

Rather than having teeth, it has baleen plates which filter food from the water.

The Southern Right Whale is distinguished by the callosities (calluses) on its head. It has a broad back without a dorsal fin and a long arching mouth that begins above the eye. Its skin is very dark grey or black, and sometimes has white patches on the belly.

But you don't have to keep the thrill of the migratory whale sightings to yourself. The regional tourism website is now recording cetacean spottings in the region, including date, time and location, on a web blog.

A spate of whale sightings on consecutive days towards the end of August was excitedly reported on the web blog, including sightings at Marengo, Apollo Bay, Smythes Creek and Skenes Creek.

Sunday 22 August was a particularly auspicious day with sightings of about six whales putting on a fabulous show near Wild Dog Beach, Apollo Bay. A mother and calf (believed to be Southern Rights) were also spotted quite close to shore off Apollo Bay main beach.