We’ve been fortunate to welcome some very special visitors along our coastline this week, with whales and their calves spotted cruising close to shore at Leighton and Mosman Beach.

While it’s an unforgettable experience to see these gentle giants, we ask our community to give them the space they need to rest and recover on their journey. For the safety of both whales and people, strict exclusion zones are in place:

• 100 metres for swimmers, paddle boarders and jet skis
• 300 metres for boats and aircraft

Breaching these zones may result in infringements of up to $500. More importantly, keeping your distance ensures the calves can rest, feed, and build the strength they need for their migration.

Our Rangers are assisting onshore, while the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) is monitoring the area and working alongside Water Police to raise awareness. By respecting the exclusion zones, we can all play a part in protecting these magnificent creatures.

Thank you to local photographer James Nilson for capturing this stunning image of our ocean visitors. You can see more of his work at jamesnilsonphotography.com