Warrnambool to the South Australia Border
This webpage features nature and wildlife photo galleries for the scenic drive between Warrnambool and South Australia border. Furthermore, the Princes Highway from Warrnambool to Port Fairy is part of the themed coastline: The Shipwreck Coast. Moreover, Port Fairy to Nelson follows the Discovery Bay coast.
After touring The Great Ocean Road, we stopped overnight in Warrnambool, chosen primarily to view southern right whales. So, on day three of our Victoria tour, we started in Warrnambool, visiting Logans beach to whale watch. After whale watching, we took a half-day tour on Princes Highway to the South Australian Border. Featured stops include Warrnambool whale-viewing platform, Port Fairy, Griffiths Island and Cape Nelson Lighthouses. Then to South Australia for a three-day tour before going to the Grampians to continue our car tour in Victoria.
Warrnambool
The leading Australian calving grounds are Warrnambool (Victoria), Victor Harbour (South Australia) and Bunda Cliffs at the Head of the Bight, near Ceduna. These places have high-energy breaking waves creating a high ambient noise environment. Thus, protecting calves by masking their presence from acoustically sensitive predators, such as killer whales. They also have access to nearby deep water.
At Warrnambool, southern right whales (Eubalaena Australis) come close in-shore in the winter and spring months. So, we visited the whale-viewing platform at Logans Beach in the late afternoon and early the following morning. The photo gallery below shows whale behaviour for some of our sightings.
Southern Right Whales, Cow with Calf at Logans Beach
Southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) feeding close to Logans Beach in Warrnambool. A trip highlight.
Southern Right Whales at Logans Beach in Warrnambool
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We arrived in Warrnambool late afternoon on a dull day with an overcast sky, almost monochrome. We stopped at Logans Beach viewing platform. It was not long before we spotted whales, albeit at a distance. The first photo in the gallery shows the individual on the surface blowing water. It was not the best lighting for photography, and the whales were a long way offshore. However, we watched them for an hour before driving to our hotel for our overnight stay.
We set off early morning to visit the viewing platform; the sea was rough with an overcast sky. At 7:40 am, we sighted a whale blowing and then made transit just beyond the beaches’ surf zone. After thirty minutes, it was in front of the viewing platform, close enough to see that it was, in fact, a cow with a calf. The other images show the various behaviours such as feeding on the surface, spy hopping and body roll.
Cetaceans and Marine Carnivores Animals Webpage
The web page features several whale species, including a brief fact summary about southern right whales.
Tower Hill Reserve
Tower Hill from Lava Tongue Boardwalk
Tower Hill Reserve Wildlife
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After whale watching, we set off from Warrnambool to Robe in South Australia. Our first stop before the South Australian border was Tower Hill Reserve. We walked around the 1.5 km easy-going Lava Tongue Boardwalk through the reserve’s wetlands for an hour or so. After the walk, I photographed the featured birds in the woods while walking back to the Worn Gundidj Visitor Centre. Featured birds include superb fairy-wren, grey fantail, brown thornbill, striated thornbill, and emu. Except for the grey fantail, all other featured birds are endemic.
Port Fairy, Griffiths Island and Cape Nelson Lighthouses
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Next, we drove to Port Fairy to walk around Griffiths Island. A causeway links the island, allowing predators like foxes onto the island. In the spring, mutton birds nest. These birds, also known as short-tailed shearwater, are nocturnal, so predated birds were the only obvious evidence of nesting activity. Furthermore, birds usually arrive between 19th and 25th September, having migrated thousands of kilometres from the northern hemisphere. The Griffiths Island Lighthouse, built-in 1859, is still operating, albeit automated. It is an ideal place for a picnic lunch and a spot of landscape photography.
Before the South Australian border, our final stop was near Portland at Cape Nelson Lighthouse, built-in 1884.
Continue the 2013 Tour to
South Australia
Next, we drove to South Australia for a few days touring, then to the Grampians to continue our Victoria tour. ‘Next’ to continue to the Murraylands and Limestone Coast webpage.
Or ‘SA’ to go to the Nature and Wildlife in South Australia webpage.
Continue the 2013 Tour of Victoria
Or ‘Skip’ South Australia Tour and go to The Grampians, Halls Gap, and Ararat Hills webpage.
Or ‘VIC’ to go to the Nature and Wildlife in Victoria, Australia webpage.
Bibliography – Online Resources
1. Southern Right Whales. 2021. [Online] Available from https://www.marinebio.org/ [Accessed 02-Jan-2022].
2. Tower Hill Reserve. [Online] Available from https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/ [Accessed 02-Jan-2022].