NSW’s ‘Humpback Highway’ is expected to welcome record numbers of whales this season, putting the state’s coastal tourism operators in the fast lane from April to November.
Marine scientists estimate more than 50,000 eastern Australian humpback whales are now migrating from Antarctica to the South Pacific along the NSW coast each season, 20,000 more than the estimated pre-whaling population of the early 1900s.
Each year, whale watching tourism generates billions in global visitor expenditure and NSW is a premier destination for those eager to catch a glimpse of the giant marine mammals.
From Tweed Heads in the north to Eden in the south, the Humpback Highway offers unforgettable encounters with whales, ranging from coastal lookouts to water-based tours.
Nature-based tourism has been identified as a key driver of visitor economy growth in the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2035. NSW has more than 2000km of coastline that attracts high-value visitors, supports regional businesses and economies and strengthens the state's position as a leader in nature-based tourism.
In the year ending December 2025, there were 18.6 million domestic overnight visitors to NSW who engaged in nature and outdoor based activities in NSW. These visitors stayed 61.8 million nights and injected $13.6 billion into the NSW visitor economy.
NSW is also becoming a drawcard for international visitors seeking nature-based experiences such as whale watching.
In the year ending December 2025, there were 3.4 million international visitors to NSW who engaged in nature and outdoor based activities during their trip to Australia (up 7.7 per cent year-on-year).
These visitors stayed 95.3 million nights (up three per cent year-on-year) in NSW and spent $13.5 billion (up 23.1 per cent year-on-year and up 36.1 per cent on year ending December 2019) in NSW.
Destination NSW has produced a 'Where to see whales on the NSW coast' guide that explores the diverse visitor experiences available. View the guide here.
