Game-Changer Harbour to Boost Whale Watching

Margaret River Region

The Margaret River Region's extraordinary six month whale watching season is underway, with charters operating from new $36.4 million Augusta Boat Harbour.

Tour boats are operating for the first time from the extraordinary new harbour, which caters for the growing commercial and recreational fleet in the area.

Up to 35,000 Humpback and Southern Right Whales, and even the occasional rare Blue Whale, travel through the waters of the Margaret River Region on their northern migration.

Augusta Margaret River Tourism Association CEO Pip Close affirmed that the region hosted one of the world's longest whale watching seasons.

“Flinders Bay in Augusta plays host to the first half of the season, then whales can be seen in the warmer waters of Geographe Bay from September to November, with tours departing from the townships of Dunsborough and Busselton,” said Ms Close.

“Whale watching is an iconic winter experience, and the spectacular new boat harbour at Augusta will significantly enhance the experience for visitors.

“We expect to see an increase in whale watchers this year as a result,” she said.

Sandy Jensen from Legend Charters referred to the new Augusta Boat Harbour as a 'game-changer'.

“It will allow us to run tours more consistently – we couldn't take people out to the boat via the dinghy with too much swell, now passengers can simply step aboard the vessel.

“It will also open up the market to people who are less agile – some people would turn up and take one look at the dinghy and say 'no way!',” she said.

Whale watching tours in the Margaret River Region run until November.

www.margaretriver.com/