This sight of Migaloo, the white whale, and his Humpback compatriots making their way along the east coast of Australia has heralded the start of the Southern Humpback migration; but there's still just under a month to go under the official season starts on Queensland's Fraser Island – where Humpback Whale sightings carry a money-back guarantee.

But who is actually watching whom? Since the commencement of commercial whale watching in the calm, protected waters off Fraser Island back in the late 80s, inquisitive Humpbacks have been invariably drawn by the desire to socialise - and by the whistling, waving their arms and yelling of the whale watchers - for a spot of people watching on the lee side of Fraser. 

According to Kingfisher Bay Resort's General Manager of Tours and Marine, Colin Anderson, this region of Queensland coastline is one of only two places in the world where the Humpback Whales take time out of their migration south to socialise, rest, nurture and perform in the calm waters off Fraser Island.    

Whale spotting is so prolific in Platypus Bay, during the official season that runs from 1 August until 31 October that operators offer a money-back guarantee for Humpback sightings.

With all of this in mind, Kingfisher Bay Resort is putting out the call for members of the public to “become Humpback eye-candy and book their own Fraser Coast holiday”… and it's all in the name of helping the holidaying humpbacks get the most out of their seasonal people-watching.

“It's really a beautiful thing when these giants come along side of the boats and gaze up at the whale watchers, or when we capture them swimming on the underwater cameras and hear their song on the boat's hydrophone,” Mr Anderson said.

Holidaying Humpbacks And World Heritage-listed Fraser
Half-day Whale Watch trips depart daily from Kingfisher Bay Resort from 8am during the season (1 August until 31 October). Tickets are priced at $110 for adults and $70 for kids aged 4-14. Each ticket sold includes a levy which assists local marine park management, education, ranger patrols, whale monitoring and research. 

Longer stay packages start from just $379 per person and include two nights at Kingfisher Bay on Fraser's western side with a BONUS third night free, hot buffet breakfast daily, return passenger ferry transfers ex River Heads and a half-day whale watch cruise with Hervey Bay Whale Watch.

For more information visit www.kingfisherbay.com or call 1800 072 55. You can also follow the Hervey Bay Humpback action on https://www.facebook.com/fraserislandwhalewatch all year-round.

Getting There
Fraser Island is just offshore from Hervey Bay on Queensland's east coast and Kingfisher Bay Resort passenger and vehicle ferry services depart daily from River Heads (secure parking is available). Virgin Australia and QantasLink fly to Hervey Bay/Fraser Coast.  Kingfisher Bay Resort can organise airport connections 

CONDENSED VERSION

FRASER ISLAND: It's official, the Humpback super highway is open and Migaloo, the white whale, has already got a ticket to ride! But avid whale watchers will have to wait til 1 August, and the official start of the Hervey Bay whale watching season, to take advantage of the region's Whales-or-money-back-guarantee. 

This year, Kingfisher Bay Resort will run daily eco-accredited excursions direct from Fraser Island through the calm, protected waters of Hervey Bay and the Great Sandy Strait, just north of the resort to where the whales wallow in Platypus Bay. Prices start from $110 for adults and $70 for children aged 4-14.

The resort's accommodated packages on World Heritage-listed Fraser Island start from just $379 per person and include two nights hotel accommodation at Kingfisher Bay Resort with a BONUS third night free, hot buffet breakfast daily, return passenger ferry transfers ex River Heads and a half-day whale watch cruise.  Island tours also depart daily and can be added to the package.

For more information visit www.kingfisherbay.com or call 1800 072 55. You can also follow the Hervey Bay Humpback action on http://www.facebook.com/fraserislandwhalewatch.

More About The Resort
Kingfisher Bay Resort - on World Heritage Listed Fraser Island – includes 109 self-contained two and three-bedroomed villas; Kingfisher holiday houses for bigger groups; the 152-room Mercure Kingfisher Bay Resort – Fraser Island hotel; as well as touring and marine businesses.

Media Contact
Jodi Clark – media@kingfisherbay.com Phone +617 3032 2809 @JodiMClark
Additional photos are available on request.