A whale of a time

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

<strong>Stunning sight: </strong>Minke whales are commonly seen along the Ribbon Reefs north of Cairns between May and August.

Stunning sight: Minke whales are commonly seen along the Ribbon Reefs north of Cairns between May and August.

The waters around Cairns and Port Douglas offer great whale watching opportunities, and whale season is fast approaching.

These enormous sea creatures will soon begin their winter migration, abandoning the chilly southern seas for warmer northern waters.

About 30 species of whales, dolphins and porpoises are sighted on the Great Barrier Reef including the dwarf minke whale, the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin and the humpback whale.

Visitors have the opportunity to get up close and personal with the majestic mammals, with nine specially-accredited tour operators conducting tours.

Whales watching is just one of the many activities attracting visitors to the Great Barrier Reef in Cairns, with tours and activities including cruises, snorkelling and scuba diving, available to suit all interests and ages.

The star of the current humpback whale population is Migaloo, a rare albino whale who visits the Great Barrier Reef every year as part of the annual migration.

Usually visiting around June, Migaloo is one of about 8000 humpbacks who migrate from Antarctica each year. During the past three years, Migaloo has been a star attraction for tourists in the region and there are whale-watching tours available during the migration period.

The State Government has declared Migaloo a “special interest animal” which restricts people from going closer than 500m to the whale without written permission.

Check out our great photo gallery of Migaloo the White Whale in Cairns.

The Cairns region also boasts a host of other wildlife. The Great Barrier Reef is home 1500 fish species, and on land, the cassowary is one of the region's unique attractions, and a range of Cairns zoos and wildlife sanctuaries showcase Australian animals.

For more information about things to do in Cairns as well as booking Cairns accommodation, visit the Cairns holiday and travel guide section of cairns.com.au

Freshwater relaxation

While Cairns is known best for attractions like the Great Barrier Reef, it also has numerous freshwater swimming holes that give a place to escape the heat without having to travel out on the open water. more

Five out of five

The Lakes Cairns Resort and Spa has blitzed this year's HMAA Awards, achieving five out of five category wins at last night's gala night in Brisbane. more

Keeping fit in paradise

Keeping healthy and fit is not hard in the Cairns region, with agreeable weather most of the year and many picturesque locations to go for a run, ride or walk. more

Little piece of Cairns

Looking for a quirky souvenir to remind you of your stay in Cairns? Look no further than one of the region's many vibrant markets. more

Boardwalk through the Daintree

The Daintree Discovery Centre offers visitors an opportunity to learn about and explore the largest and oldest rainforest area in Australia, while at the same time protecting the fragile environment. more

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