21/06/2026
🐋ORRCA is calling on communities across the east coast of Australia to once again take part in one of the country’s longest-running citizen science initiatives.
📆On Sunday 28 June 2026, ORRCA will host its 27th annual Whale Census Day, with official census sites spanning the NSW coastline and participation open to whale watchers anywhere along Australia’s east coast.
Last year’s Whale Census recorded the highest number of whale sightings in the event’s history, with:
• Over 600 official volunteer counters
• 5,995 whale sightings recorded
• 159 coastal observation sites covered
• Sightings including Humpback Whales, Bryde’s Whales and Minke Whales.
📍This year, ORRCA is introducing an updated census model featuring 24 official abundance sites strategically positioned along the NSW coastline, with a synchronised two-hour count taking place between 10am and 12pm.
Participants who cannot attend an abundance site can still participate from any coastal location along Australia’s east coast, collecting whale sighting and behavioural data from sunrise to sunset.
💻All sightings will be recorded digitally through ORRCA’s online reporting platform, with further information provided to registered participants prior to the event. To find out more and register your participation go to ORRCA’s website: www.orrca.org.au/census