Australia’s Humpback Whales

Australia’s Humpback Whales

Every year between May and November, 35,000 humpback whales journey from their feeding grounds in Antarctica to their breeding grounds in tropical Queensland – and Rachelle has followed and photographed them since 2011. Their route along the Humpback Highway takes them through Sydney, as well as the New South Wales South Coast – the place of the Whale Dreaming for the local Katungal Aboriginal people, as well as one of Australia’s most prolific whaling stations. And while the industry all but wiped out these intriguing leviathans – only a few hundred survived – the whalers downed tools in 1978 and today, the population continues to bounce back. Literally.

flying humpback whale australia

The Humpback Highway

Favourite moments from recent seasons