Tourists, locals and whale watchers at 11 sites around Australia will have a better view and understanding of migrating whales as they travel along the Australian coast thanks to $250,000 in funding from the Australian Government’s National Whale Trail initiative.
Australians love marine wildlife and there is a genuine demand for land-based vantage points along the coastline to view these magnificent migrating whales.
The Government’s National Whale Trail initiative provides funding to local communities to help them build whale viewing platforms and interpretive signage to inform and educate visitors about migratory whales.
The 11 communities will benefit from grants of up to $25,000 as part of the development of viewing sites across Australia’s whale migratory route.
Several of Australia’s most popular whale-watching spots including Bryon Bay and the Sunshine Coast are receiving funding to improve their visitors’ experiences.
Other successful projects include:
• developing a whale watching trail between Kingscote and Brownlow in South Australia, which will include viewing platforms, telescopes, seating and signage
• extending and enhancing the Solitary Island Coastal Walk with new accessible trails, seating and viewing platforms in Woolgoolga, New South Wales
• constructing viewing platforms and interpretive and educational information at multiple viewing sites around Tasmania.
Developing a national whale watching network will encourage knowledge sharing among locals and visitors about whale and dolphin conservation.
The National Whale Trail initiative will enhance and promote understanding in the community about the importance of protecting whales and dolphins.
The National Whale Trail initiative is part of a $2 million investment by the Australian Government under its Whale and Dolphin Protection Plan.
For more information about the Whales and Dolphins Protection Plan go to www.nrm.gov.au
(ENDS)