From whale stations to whale watching at Freycinet National Park.

Freycinet National Park is a stunning coastal paradise, known for its beautiful beaches, crystal clear waters and breathtaking views. But did you know that beneath the surface lies a darker history?

Whaling was one of the first major export industries in Van Diemen's Land (now Tasmania) in the early 1800s. Bay whaling stations were established in sheltered bays close to the migratory paths of southern right whales, which were the favoured species for hunting. These huge, slow-swimming whales were considered the "right" whales to hunt because they swam close to shore, floated when dead, and provided a rich source of oil. Whale oil was in high demand for fuel, and whale bone was used for a range of purposes, including women's corsets and skirt hoops.

The first bay whaling station at Freycinet was established in 1824 at Parson's Cove by George Meredith, one of the first settlers at Swansea. This was known as the "Fisheries", with a number of other whaling stations dotting the peninsula including those at Bryan's Beach, Crocketts Bay, Hen and Chicken Bay, Refuge Island and of course Wineglass Bay.

Whaling reached its peak in Van Diemen's Land in the 1830s, with more than 30 bay whaling stations operating in the colony. It was a hard and dangerous industry, but the financial rewards were great. It is estimated that almost 8,000 southern right whales were killed during the first 70 or so years of settlement.

However, the slaughter of whales was indiscriminate, and by the 1840s, bay whaling had begun to decline, largely due to the decimation of the local whale population. The industry had all but ceased by 1850, to be replaced by the deep sea (or pelagic) whaling industry, which saw fleets of whaleboats head out to sea in pursuit of sperm whales. By the 1880s, the local industry had ground to a standstill.

After being pushed to the brink of extinction, southern right whales were placed under international protection in 1934 and have begun to return to Tasmanian waters, and the east coast is one of the most reliable places to see them. They are most often sighted in sheltered waters, such as Great Oyster Bay, between May and November, during their annual northern migration.

If you would like the opportunity to learn more about Freycinet's whaling history, and discover little known stories such as that of American whaler Albert Hazard (the name of the mountains that define Freycinet), captain of the "Promise" who ran aground on the rock that now bears its name, then join us on our Freycinet Walking Tour. Our unique itinerary (walk one way and boat back) gives you the opportunity for a potential close encounter with these magnificent creatures.