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Aussies flock to coastline to witness incredibly rare moment: 'Really cool'
Thrilled spectators along Australia's east coast were treated to an extraordinary sight over the weekend — a white whale calf gliding through the waves beside its mother. The heartwarming encounter was a once-in-a-lifetime moment, with white whales among the rarest creatures in the ocean.
Captured by Sydney photographer Chris Prestige, the baby was spotted swimming alongside its mother off the New South Wales Mid North Coast. Chris quickly realised he'd stumbled across something truly special, branding the sight "really, rare and really cool".
Humpback whales are currently migrating north along Australia's east coast to breed in warmer waters. The annual journey typically takes place between May and August, with peak activity occurring in June and July. During this time, they travel from their feeding grounds in Antarctic waters to tropical regions, such as the Great Barrier Reef, where they mate and give birth.
NSW's coastline is a prime location to witness this migration, with whales often swimming close to the shoreline, making them visible from numerous vantage points. This phenomenon is sometimes referred to as the "humpback highway" due to the large number of whales — expected to be in excess of 40,000 this year — passing by.
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Over the weekend, spectators were out in full force with binoculars, hoping to catch a glimpse of the annual phenomenon. A white whale hasn't been spotted in the state's waters for years, the last notable example being Migaloo, the famous albino humpback.
Migaloo was last definitively observed in 2020 off the coast of Port Macquarie. Since then, he hasn't been seen, leading to speculation about his whereabouts. White colouring is extremely rare in a whale, so any similar individuals naturally raise questions about a family link. Though there's no way to tell if the two whales are in any way connected, experts say Migaloo's "genes are still out there".
White whales are extremely rare due to the uncommon genetic mutations that cause their lack of pigmentation. True albinism, as seen in whales like Migaloo, is the result of a recessive gene that both parents must carry — a rare combination in wild populations. Leucism, another condition that causes pale or patchy colouring, is also unusual and not well understood in whales.
In nature, pigmentation plays an important role in survival. Darker colouring helps marine animals with camouflage, sun protection, and regulating body temperature. A white whale, especially as a calf, may be more visible to predators or humans, which can reduce its chances of survival.
"It's just really lucky, right place, right time," Chris told 7News. "I showed a few people in the car park there and they were like 'wow, I've never seen an albino before". Earlier this month, a white whale was spotted off the Queensland coast near K'gari, sparking excitement.
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