Whales ahoy for watchers by the sea

Melon-headed, false-killer and pygmy whales are the more unusual types of marine
giant expected to pass Queensland's southeast shores this year as the whale-watching
season kicks off on Saturday.
More than 10,000 whales, mainly humpback, will be spotted by thousands of tourists
this season as the whales migrate south.
Hervey Bay tourist operator Virginia Brigden, co-owner of Whalesong Cruises, said
the town north of Brisbane was the ideal place for whale watching, with visitors
able to spot up to 40 whales per trip.
"We get nearly all of them coming into the bay area - about two-thirds of the
population - and they spend anything from one to five days with us," Ms Brigden
said.
"Visitors can see anything from one pod of whales up to 20 pods, with up to three
whales in each pod."
Ms Brigden said Hervey Bay, where the season was launched, was like an "annual
stopover point" for the whales on their way back south.
"The waters are sheltered and the whales come well into the bay area and are
relaxing and resting," she said.
"We've just have some really great close encounters where whales are getting so
close to the boat."
Ms Brigden said despite some slump in business due to the global financial crisis,
people who lived within driving distance to Hervey Bay were opting for more
economical holidays closer to home.
"There's obvious situations occurring where people are thinking of what they are
spending their money on but also ensuring that they are having a life too," she
said.
As well as the giants of the deep, whale-spotters can see four species of dolphins,
dugongs and three different types of turtles.
A blessing of the fleet will be held at the Hervey Bay Marina from 2pm on Saturday
and live jazz will entertain crowds all weekend. There will also be nightly
fireworks displays.
The whale-watching season is part of a series of events in Hervey Bay this year
under the umbrella of the Celebrate the Sea Festival.
The season runs until the end of October.