(Australia-NewsWire.Com, June 03, 2013 ) Margaret River, Western Australia -- This June long weekend marks the commencement of the whale watching season with tour companies All Sea Charters, Naturaliste Charters and Legend Charters kicking off their charters in Flinders Bay, Augusta.
Augusta is the first port of call for many whales that come to feed, breed and play from June to September, and is one of Australia's premier whale watching destinations.
The whales have arrived with impeccable timing for National Whale Day. Launched in 2008 by the International Fund for Animal Welfare, National Whale Day is a celebration of the whales that migrate to our coastlines annually and Australia's position as a world leader in whale conservation.
Augusta Margaret River Tourism Association CEO Simon Ambrose said his team is delighted to be sending visitors down to Augusta for whale watching.
"Whale watching in Augusta is an extraordinarily unique experience, being one of the few places in the world where visitors can observe Southern Right and Humpback whales interacting," said Mr Ambrose.
"We highly recommend visitors book a whale watching tour as it is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Or, if you don't have your sea legs, Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse is the perfect vantage point for land-based whale watching," said Mr Ambrose.
Sandy Jensen from Legend Charters said that whale numbers are double what can be seen on the East Coast.
"We're looking forward to 35,000 humpbacks calling through Flinders Bay this season – that's twice as many whales as they see over on the East Coast!" said Ms Jensen.
"We'll be starting tours on Sunday, running twice per day. There's definitely more tourists around – we're expecting to be flat out."
Alison Cross from Naturaliste Charters also predicted a bumper whale watching season.
"There are a lot of whales in Flinders Bay already - this year the numbers are going to be huge. Each and every year the numbers keep increasing, and going off last year – the sightings were pretty awesome," said Ms Cross.
"People are becoming more aware of whales in general and protecting them which is great. We're really looking forward to the season and what it holds."
The Augusta Hotel is holds a sundowner on the 1st June, to celebrate National Whale Day. Tours of Australia's tallest lighthouse at Cape Leeuwin are available to visitors all weekend.
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The Augusta Margaret River Tourism Association (AMRTA) is a self-funded, not for profit, membership-based organisation that represents more than 500 local tourism businesses. The Association is an innovative and cohesive organisation with high values fostering excellence in sustainable tourism,