Join the epic adventure of Australia’s largest long distance swimmers, and get wild about whales.

1. Join the epic adventure of Australia’s largest long distance swimmers, and get wild about whales. Proposition The NPWS is the State’s foremost authority on whales, and the annual migration of whales along our coastline. We’re responsible for their protection and conservation. Migration numbers have increased exponentially year on year since commercial whaling was banned in Australia in the 1960s. In 2011, we counted record numbers of migrating whales – and all signs point toward further increases in 2012. B’ground Pillars OVERALL MESSAGING Rediscover your favourite stretches of coastline and take part in the epic adventure of Australia’s largest long distance swimmers – now appearing in (location). LOCAL MESSAGING Get out and explore your local area, and invite your friends and family to share the epic adventure of Australia’s largest long distance swimmers, as they make their next appearance in (location). What will we see? Experience This year, Wild About Whales is teaming up with businesses along the NSW coast to provide even more ideas and opportunities for people to experience our marine wildlife, and have their own epic coastal adventure. With whales, seals, little penguins, dolphins and amazing sea birds including the spectacular albatross, there’s so much to discover in the NSW underwater world. You’ll discover that the NSW truly is marine wonderland of the southern hemisphere! What makes it even better is that so much of this can be experienced from the shore. Visit wildaboutwhales.com.au to find the best spots along our coastline to see a whale and other amazing marine life. …and while you’re there, check out the many other things to see, do and experience in our coastal national parks. (Require detail at this point on the variety of land-based off-season coastal experiences that you’re looking to promote.) The whale migration is getting longer. The shoulder seasons are increasing, and the number of animals travelling during shoulder periods is also rising. This is an excellent indication of population growth. We’ll see further increases in population this year. We’re expecting to count another 100-200 animals on this year’s migration, up on the 10 per cent-plus increases in 2011. More likely to see blue whales this year. There have been higher numbers of sightings of blues in WA and SE VIC in the last year. They rarely come close to shore – but the chances are higher than ever. You won’t be able to miss the whales this year! We’ll see more mothers and calves between AUG-OCT, including around Sydney Harbour, Manly etc. The seal numbers are also rocketing up – and we’re much more likely to see orcas (killer whales) as far north as Sydney and surrounding coastal areas in 2012. All this adds up to a great year for anyone who wants to share the epic adventures of these amazing creatures, and make their own epic coastal adventure one they’ll never forget. Get involved • Follow the epic adventure, and take part in it yourself, byplanning and booking your next epic coastal adventure at wildaboutwhales.com.au. • Use the interactive maps on wildaboutwhales.com.au and the Wild About Whales smartphone app to find the best national parks along our coastline from which to see these magnificent creatures. • You can also participate in a Wild About Whales tour in (location), or book your National Parks accommodation online. Join us We have the largest community of people who share a love of these magnificent creatures. There’s up to the minute news on the latest whale sightings, opportunities to win prizes, plus ideas that help you plan your next epic coastal adventure. Be part of it. Share Learn more Start your epic adventure with www.wildaboutwhales.com.au – the best way for you to learn about whales migrating along our coastline, and find the best spots in our national parks to see whales and enjoy other great coastal experiences. Share your whalesightings with the @wildaboutwhales community using #whaleon, and watch as they’re posted onto our interactive maps on wildaboutwhales.com.au and the Wild About Whales smartphone app. Share your photos and experiences of your coastal adventure on www.facebook.com/wildaboutwhales, and learn how others are creating their own epic adventures.