Whale watch cruise operators are now starting to report return traffic from the annual migration,
with this pair of unhurried humpbacks spotted heading south off Newcastle.
These pictures shot by Nova Cruises, capture what’s known in the business as a mugging.
That’s when the whales come in for a closer look, causing the boat to shut off its propellers, so as not to injure the curious creatures.
It was an hour before the whales lost interest, but there were certainly no complaints from those on board.
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