A humpback whale frolics off the coast of the Western Australian town of Dunsborough October 13, 2000 on its way south to the Antarctic for the summer.
Many species of whales are spotted off the Australian coastline at this time of the year as they make their way south during their annual migration to the Antarctic for feeding and breeding. MDB/HL MDB/HL

A whale and a calf swimming by in Gulf St. Vincent have created waves on the coast as well as virtually.

For the first time after 30 years, Henley Beach resident, Marty Cielens, said that he spotted it there, at 7.20 a.m. His wife, who was a Henley resident for 38 years, had seen whales almost three decades ago in the north. Marty said that this was his first.

By spotting the seagulls over the whales, he deduced that the whales were feeding. Hope for a bit of leftover food would have attracted the seagulls, he thought. He ran back to get his camera set up on his front window and took quick shots of the whale and the gulls.

A few other walkers at the spot confirmed that there was a calf there too.

"It was fantastic; it's bigger than life and really affirming to know we share the Earth with these wonderful animals,'' Cielens said to Adelaide Now.

As the whales were heading towards the ocean, they passed a boat near Grange jetty that were anchored. Whale watchers had gathered excitedly towards the West Lakes Shore, but felt let down when the mammals headed away.

The SA Whale Centre spokesman at Victor Harbor agreed in Adelaide Now that the whales were not spotted frequently this year. "They will travel up there (in the gulf) but it's unusual for them to stay,'' he said.

He added that last year in August almost 18 whales may have been spotted. However, the sighting has become rare this year. "You'd be lucky to see one,'' he said.

Posting it on Facebook elicited a whale of comments. One respondent denied that whales had appeared only 30 years ago, as he claimed that he had lived at Henley Square between 2000 and 2005 and saw whales twice there.

The incident has triggered a lot of excitement, as Adelaide's coastal attraction is sure to get enhanced by the spotting of a whale. Being on the western coast, closer to central Adelaide, Henley Beach is a much sought-out destination for sunbathing, swimming and relaxing. Nearby, there are a number of shops and restaurants, as well as a sweeping view of the coastline. The nearby Henley Grange Memorial Reserve and the John Mitchell Oval are also much visited.

The whale-spotting incident is sure to be the latest attraction.