2026 ORRCA Whale Census Day
Join the 2026 27th Annual ORRCA Whale Census Day!
28 June 2026
Where: Norah Head Lighthouse, your closest headland, or Official ORRCA Census Site
Who: One and all
From: Sunrise to Sunset or 10am-12pm
Join us for a spectacular day by the ocean as we count the majestic humpback whales on their northern migration. It’s a chance to connect with nature, contribute to conservation and celebrate these incredible ocean travellers.
Grab your binoculars and head to your nearest headland to participate in 27th Annual ORRCA Whale Census Day! Simply join at an Offical ORRCA Census Site or pick your favourite headland and REGISTER HERE to log your location.
We need you out for the count this June!
After 26 years of conducting our Whale Census Day, we have made some modifications to strengthen the quality and reliability of the data collected.
The ORRCA Whale Census Day now has two options to participate:
Option 1 - Abundance Count: 24 of the 27 official census sites have been strategically positioned along the coastline to provide an estimate of abundance during a short 2-hour synchronised survey window. This will occur between 10am-12pm.
These sites are outlined below and will be hosted by an ORRCA member. Participants are asked to count whales during the designated time period, for the entire 2-hour duration.
Option 2 - Passage Count: Our traditional sunrise-to-sunset census will continue, with participants recording whale sightings from their own chosen observation points or official ORRCA census site, along with behaviours, environmental conditions, and group composition data. This can be undertaken at any time of day you choose, and does not have to be at one of the designated locations listed below.
Whale Census Day is a fantastic opportunity to connect with nature, contribute to important citizen science, and witness one of the world’s most spectacular migrations.
To join, click the register button and select which option and location you would like to participate in.
All registered participants will receive a Census Day Information Pack via email one week prior to the event, containing everything you need to know for the day.
Official ORRCA Census Sites
Point Danger, Coolangatta (Passage count only)
Fingal Head Lighthouse, Tweed
Cape Byron, Byron Bay
Razorback Lookout, Evans Head
Iluka Bluff Lookout
Wilsons Headland, Wooli
Sawtell (Bonville) Headland
Captain Cook Lookout, Nambucca Heads
Hat Head, Hat Head National Park
Tacking Point Lighthouse, Port Macquarie
Crowdy Head Lighthouse
Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse, Seal Rocks
Boat Harbour, Port Stephens
King Edward Park, Newcastle
Norah Head Lighthouse withMirring Aboriginal Corporation
Long Reef Headland, Collaroy
Cape Solander, Kurnell
Cape Banks, La Perouse (Passage count only)
The Balconies, Royal National Park (Passage count only)
Hill 60 Lookout, Port Kembla
Point Perpendicular Lighthouse, Jervis Bay
Warden Head Lighthouse, Ulladulla
Burrewarra Point Lighthouse, Guerilla Bay
Carter’s Headland, Narooma
Bermagui Headland, Bermagui
Tathra Headland, Tathra
Boyd Tower, Eden
Let’s get as much of our coastline covered as possible and enjoy one of nature’s most spectacular and longest migrations in the world!
Together, let’s make every whale count.
