THE WINNER IS SYDNEY!

Ever heard of the Humpback Highway? That’s the name insiders give the East Coast of Australia each year between May and November, when about 35,000 humpback whales migrate from Antarctica to tropical Queensland to breed, before returning to Antarctica to feed.

Their journey takes them right past the entrance to Sydney Harbour – so why not book onto a comfy cruise and get up close to them in their natural habitat? By law, boats must stay 100-300m away from a whale, but these are curious creatures and they often approach vessels, so keep your camera handy!

Several whale-watching companies offer trips departing from Darling Harbour and Circular Quay (allow two to four hours for your cruise and speak to your doctor about motion sickness medication beforehand).

Our pick? Go Whale

Watching Sydney, a kid-friendly, family-run business with an expert crew and the most hospitable service in town (they’re also famous for their complimentary fruitcake).

This is an unforgettable adventure you’ll want to do more than once!