Alan Hudson from Sydney was at the Charles Hamey lookout on Monday, October 8 and managed to get his camera out in time to capture the spectacle. 

Whales have begun the journey south, many with their newborn calves, during spring through to November.

Alan said it was a special moment. 

All throughout June and July, keen whale watchers saw groups of humpback whales as they moved along the NSW coastline towards warmer waters for breeding.

More than 30,000 humpback whales will make the migration in 2018.

Earlier this year surfer Stefan Everingham was lucky to come away uninjured after a close encounter with a whale at Middle Rock, Lake Cathie.

Humpback whales are an incredible success story, having recovered as a species from the brink of extinction less than six decades ago, to the point where they can now be readily sighted in NSW waters between mid-June and December.

Some of the region’s top vantage points include the Port Macquarie coast walk in Tacking Point, the Cape Hawke lookout in Booti Booti National Park, the Headland Walk in Saltwater National Park, Front Beach in Arakoon National Park, Smoky Cape Lighthouse in Hat Head National Park and Charles Hamey lookout in Kattang Nature Reserve.

To find out more about the best whale watching vantage spots along the NSW coast, to learn about whale behaviours and different species of whales, and to download the free Wild About Whales mobile app (to log and view the most up-to-date whale sightings near you), go to wildaboutwhales.com.au. 

And don’t forget to share your whale photos with us on Instagram by tagging @portmacnews or @chcourier and using the hashtag #MNCwhales.

For stranded, entangled, or sick whales should be reported immediately to the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Environment Line on 131 555 or ORRCA Whale and Dolphin Rescue on (02) 9415 3333 (24 hours hotline).