Migaloo Chase

Drive  drive  drive and we drove more than 1000kms chasing Migaloo.  MB even coped a speeding fine in the process of our amazing race to catch Migaloo.

Migaloo meaning the "White Fella"

Who is Migaloo?  He is supposedly the infamous only albino (white) humpback whale in the world (till a few years ago another all white baby calf was spotted and they call him MJ (Migaloo Junior).

Anyways, Migaloo is protected under Australian law.  He is part of the Australian East Coast Humpback Whale population.

When we spotted him, he was migrating up the east coast from Antartica to the warmer waters of Tropical North Queensland.

The chase started after MB picked me up from Newcastle Airport on the 23/7 but we were always just lagging behind him.  When I was in Port Stephens, Migaloo was spotted there earlier so we missed him.  Then Migaloo was spotted at Seal Rocks and as the days past, we got smarter and with Instagram, I was tracking Migaloo through postings of other keen whale watchers of his latest sightings.

This lady has been waiting to spot
 Migaloo for 3 years!!!

MB took my "Migaloo Madness" all in good stride!  He eventually built up some whale chasing excitement all by himself as the days went by and inbetween waiting for Migaloo to show up, MB enjoyed watching the normal black humpbacks and dolphins which put on a good show here and there to keep our Migaloo spirits high!!!  Our chances of spotting Migaloo was 25,000 to 1 but I guess we did get lucky afterall.

We needed to be in a whale watching boat to see Migaloo up close and personal, but because we were chasing in the RV and by road, we realised if we did spot Migaloo, he will only be a small white speck in the ocean!!! MB calculated our travel time versus Migaloo's and towards the end, we made up speed and was well ahead of Migaloo.  This was such a relief - at least we know he has not gone past us yet!!!.  Even if we see a tiny spot of white in the distance, it will be well worth the 3 or 4 tanks of fuel and our time.  We did not have a travel itinerary and now we had a mission!!! We want to hunt down Migaloo.  

My excitement built up when we were in Woolgoolga as someone there spotted Migaloo approximately 36km away so he raced up to Woolgoolga and texted his family to be there.  By our calculations, even if Migaloo did pass by, it would be around 7.30pm and would be too dark to see him.

Lighthouse - Cape Byron

So, yesssssss you guessed it - so we got back into the RV and decided we will drive up to Byron Bay and from the lighthouse, we will be able to see anything that passes by.  2 days at Bryon Bay and when we left, Migaloo rocked up but we waited for him at the next most strategic point which was suppose to be Cabarita Headland and instead we went to Hastings Point.  This spot is great for whale watching or just to soak in the sunshine and fresh sea air!!! 



Happy Whale Watchers



When we pulled up, we knew something was happening as there were so many people, and the parking spots were all taken but we got really lucky and after about 10 minutes, we managed to repark and scored the best park in Hastings Point.  Just sitting inside RV we could see just as good as on the outside.  It was the most beautiful winter's day to be outdoors and knowing that Migaloo will be passing by soon made it even better!!!



My whale tail legs inside RV dashboard with
the best view in the house

Whilst waiting, MB rang G & B and they raced down from Brisbane to join us.  It was a nice short and sweet meeting of friends whilst on the road, and it was G's first time seeing whales in the wild!!!!

Well, Migaloo passed by us and we were told by another whale watcher with long zoom lens camera.  So at least we were there when Migaloo swam past us.  MB was not having it, so he decided we will drive up further and wait for him at Point Danger.  Yesss this meant we are going across the border into Queensland and MB is not counting how many more fuel tanks of diesel its going to take to see Migaloo!!! hahaha

So we found ourselves going further and further up the east coast and now we are in Point Danger!!!  I could not remember this place, but when we drove in, I recalled the restaurant where we ate before and went back there again for late lunch.  One lady lunching there too had a friend working as a hostess on one of the whale watching boats, so they were texting each other and we were lucky to have that information, so we took our time over the yummy lunch and then walked across the road to join the crowd in hopes of seeing Migaloo. 

The Migaloo entourage was 3 boats and 2 jet skis.  We managed to see a speckle of white when he blew, but he was a good 2-3kms out from land from where we were, but we were happy to be there with the rest of the crowd to welcome and bid Migaloo goodbye and a safe journey on his travels.

Live long and well you magnificent gentle giant sea creature and stay safe Migaloo.  We had a whale of a time tying to catch you in vain, but knowing you are well and free we are very happy even if we did not get to see you up close and personal.  Another time Migaloo and we might get luckier!?!