Humpback whale migration to be explained
PICTURE: Cape Byron provides an ideal whale-watching venue.
Ballina Shire residents wanting to learn more 
about the annual humpback whale migration can do so by attending the free Whale Information Morning at Cape Byron Lighthouse on Sunday, June 18, from 9.30 to 11am.
The migration has begun in recent weeks with pods of whales passing local beaches as they make their way to warmer tropical waters.
Cape Byron Headland Reserve manager Sue Walker said the whale migration was a spectacular event and one worthy of celebration.
“Keynote speakers specialising in various aspects of the humpback whale’s lifecycle will be on hand to share their knowledge. Environmental scientists from Southern Cross University will update people on their ongoing whale identification research projects, University of Queensland scientists will explain their work on whale acoustics and local whale experts Trish and Wally Franklin will provide footage and information on the lifecycle of the humpback whale,” said Ms Walker.
“Each year several groups of southern humpback whales leave their feeding grounds in the Antarctic to begin their epic voyage of approximately 10,000 kilometres. One of the groups travels up along the eastern seaboard of Australia, passing Cape Byron on their way to their birthing and mating grounds in the sub-tropical waters of the Great Barrier Reef near Hervey Bay.”
Due to limited parking up at the lighthouse the trust will provide a free shuttle bus service running continuously between Clarks Beach carpark and the lighthouse from 8.45 am until 12.30 pm. The trust is encouraging people to make use of the shuttle bus or alternatively use the Cape’s extensive walking tracks to access the lighthouse.
