newy.com.au – Newcastle Airport is forecasting its busiest winter on record as the annual humpback whale migration and a growing calendar of coastal events help draw visitors to the Hunter.
About 50,000 humpback whales are expected to pass the Hunter coast as they travel north to the warmer waters of Queensland, with the migration running from May through to November. The airport expects passenger numbers across winter 2026 to be about five per cent higher than winter 2025, equal to roughly 16,000 additional passengers.
June, July and August are each expected to set new monthly winter records for Newcastle Airport, continuing strong demand for travel to and from the Hunter region during what is traditionally a quieter tourism period.
The migration is also anchoring a series of winter events along the coast, starting with the annual Whale Census on 28 June. The Port Stephens Winter Festival will run from 10 to 19 July, including a sunset cruise departing Nelson Bay Marina with Moonshadow-TQC Cruises on 16 July, before ending with the Human Whale event at Fingal Bay on 19 July.
Newcastle Airport chief executive Linc Horton said the Hunter coastline had become a major winter attraction for visitors seeking nature-based tourism experiences.
“The Hunter offers a diverse range of nature-based tourism experiences and spotting a whale breaching offshore is one of those moments that makes you stop and appreciate the incredible environment we have right here on our doorstep,” Mr Horton said.
“It’s easy to see why visitors travel from across Australia and overseas to experience the annual migration, which continues to be a major drawcard for the Hunter during the winter tourism season. Port Stephens, Newcastle and increasingly Lake Macquarie are well known as premier whale watching destinations with visitors and locals alike pausing to take them in.”
Daily whale-watching experiences are already underway, with tourism operators, accommodation providers, restaurants, retailers and other local businesses expected to benefit from the winter activity.
Newcastle Tourism Industry Group chair and CoastXP founder Dominic May said the season gave visitors a close encounter with the migration while also encouraging them to explore the broader region.
“What surprises many visitors is that within minutes of leaving Newcastle Harbour we’re out on the Humpback Highway alongside them and they leave talking about the region as a whole,” Mr May said. “That’s why whale season is such an important contributor to tourism across the Hunter.”
Moonshadow-TQC Cruises general manager James McArthur said the 2026 season had already produced strong whale activity off Port Stephens.
“Whale watching season is one of the most anticipated times of the year for Port Stephens and every year we’re privileged to introduce thousands of visitors to one of the world’s great wildlife migrations,” Mr McArthur said.
“The humpback whale population continues to thrive and the activity we’ve already witnessed this season has been outstanding.”
Destination Port Stephens chief executive Jo Thomas said whale watching remained one of the region’s signature visitor experiences and provided an important winter boost.
“Whale watching is one of Port Stephens’ most recognised and sought-after visitor experiences and provides an important boost to the local visitor economy during winter,” Ms Thomas said.
“The migration offers travellers a compelling reason to visit the region, often extending their stay to enjoy our beaches, coastal walks, dining experiences and accommodation offerings.”
Visitors can also watch the migration from coastal lookouts and headlands across Newcastle, Port Stephens and Lake Macquarie throughout the season.
