One of the absolute joys of living on the NSW North Coast is that some of the best entertainment costs precisely nothing!
Every year from around May to November, humpback whales make their way along our coastline, and you don't necessarily need to book a boat trip to see them. Grab a coffee, or even a sneaky bottle of champers to share with a friend along with a picnic blanket, pack the binoculars and head for one of our favourite spots along the coast.
1. Cape Byron Lighthouse & Lighthouse Walk
It would be impossible to start anywhere else.
Cape Byron Lighthouse sits at Australia's most easterly mainland point and offers spectacular views along the coast. Rather than simply driving to the top, we love the Cape Byron walking track — there are plenty of opportunities along the way to stop, scan the ocean and hopefully spot a tell-tale splash or blow.
The full walking track is around 3.7km and has been recently updated by National parks with work currently, as at September 2026, underway by Byron Shire Council along the 'boardwalk' sections.
If you take a left down through The Pass you can stop for a sneaky snack, lunch or coffee at The Pass cafe.
Local tip: Take your time. Whale watching is a pretty good excuse for stopping halfway up a hill and pretending you're not puffed.
2. Pat Morton Lookout, Lennox Head
Pat Morton Lookout at Lennox Head is another favourite — and one where whale watching can very easily turn into an afternoon outing.
The elevated headland gives you a huge view over the ocean and north towards Byron Bay, making it an excellent place to watch for migrating humpbacks.
You'll often see people making the most of the beautiful coastline around Lennox with a picnic, takeaway lunch or coffee, settling in on the grassy areas and simply watching the ocean. Pack the binoculars and don't be in a hurry.
3. Broken Head
Just south of Byron, Broken Head Nature Reserve is another beautiful place to combine a coastal wander with a little whale spotting.
Broken Head is specifically recognised as a land-based location for seeing whales in the Cape Byron Marine Park.
Pack some lunch, find yourself a coastal vantage point and keep an eye out for blows, splashes and breaches offshore.
4. Ballina Head Lookout & Lighthouse Beach
Further south, Ballina Head Lookout and the coastline around Lighthouse Beach in East Ballina give you another fantastic stretch of open ocean to watch.
Lighthouse Beach, Angels Beach, Flat Rock and Skennars Head are all recommended whale-watching areas around Ballina, so you can easily make a day of exploring this section of coastline.
Bring a picnic, find a spot with an ocean view and let the whales provide the entertainment.
5. Brunswick Heads & North Head
Heading north from Byron, North Head walking track in Brunswick Heads Nature Reserve is another free whale-watching option and one that sometimes gets overlooked in favour of the lighthouse.
NSW National Parks lists North Head alongside Cape Byron and Broken Head among its recommended whale-watching locations in the Byron and Tweed area.
It's perfect if you'd prefer a quieter coastal walk followed by lunch or a picnic around Brunswick Heads.
When's the best time to go?
The whale migration generally runs from May through November. Whales travel north towards warmer waters during winter and then make their way south again from around August through November — often with calves.
Our advice? Take binoculars, water, a picnic and some patience.
There's something pretty special about sitting on our coastline watching these enormous animals travel past — particularly when the day's entertainment hasn't cost you a cent.
And if you don't see a whale?
Well, you're still sitting somewhere along the Byron, Lennox, Ballina or Brunswick coastline having a picnic.
There are definitely worse consolation prizes. 🐋