What is a southern right whale?
The southern right whale is a large baleen whale that visits Australia's southern coast each winter to give birth and nurse calves in sheltered, shallow bays close to shore.
Southern right whales can grow to around 15 to 17 metres long and weigh up to about 80 tonnes. They are dark grey or black, with no dorsal fin, and have rough white patches called callosities on their heads, which help scientists identify individuals.
They were named right whales because whalers considered them the right whale to hunt: they swim slowly, stay close to shore and float when killed. Whaling drove them close to extinction.
Where to see them
From about June to October, mothers and calves rest near the coast at places such as the Head of Bight in South Australia, Warrnambool's Logans Beach in Victoria, Encounter Bay at Victor Harbor and parts of Western Australia's south coast.
Numbers in western and southern Australia have been recovering, while the southeastern population remains small and endangered.
Their V-shaped blow, made by two separate blowholes, is easy to spot from shore. Viewing platforms at the Head of Bight let visitors watch dozens of whales on a single day during peak season. Boats and drones must keep a safe distance from mothers and calves under Australian law.
Did You Know?
Southern right whales feed on tiny krill and copepods by skimming through the water with their mouths open.