{"id":172144,"date":"2025-09-27T06:13:09","date_gmt":"2025-09-27T06:13:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/172144\/"},"modified":"2025-09-27T06:13:09","modified_gmt":"2025-09-27T06:13:09","slug":"onlookers-stunned-by-spectacular-encounter-in-aussie-river-pinching-myself","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/172144\/","title":{"rendered":"Onlookers stunned by ‘spectacular’ encounter in Aussie river: ‘Pinching myself’"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dozens of onlookers in the beachside town of Forster on the NSW Mid North Coast were treated to an incredible sight when a young humpback whale swam just metres from shore<\/a>, lingering for more than two hours in the mouth of the Coolongolook River.<\/p>\n

Emily Jane, who was lucky enough to witness the rare encounter<\/a>, told Yahoo News the juvenile whale was “spectacular to watch”.<\/p>\n

“I was so shocked, I’m still pinching myself,” she said. “It was amazing, a part of me just wanted to jump in.”<\/p>\n

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The young humpback whale was unbelievably close to shore. Source: Emily Jane<\/p>\n

The whale, which Emily estimated to be about five or six metres long, was swimming just off the fish cleaning station on the southern side of the river. In a video she took, the strong current can be seen, which she suspected could’ve been the reason the animal stayed for so long.<\/p>\n

“I’m just assuming \u2014 I am no expert at all \u2014 but it seemed like he was stuck,” she said, adding it would progress about 50 metres and then end up slipping back again.<\/p>\n

Another concern was the lack of a mother whale, with the little humpback seemingly on its own in the river.<\/p>\n

Eventually, it made it out to the open ocean again, giving a flick of its tail as it dived down to deeper waters.<\/p>\n

Young whale continues journey south of Forster<\/p>\n

Steve Trikoulis, vice president of ORRCA, said the whale appeared healthy and was last seen continuing its journey south.<\/p>\n

“The whale was fine, there was no known injuries or anything that we could observe that rang alarm bells,” he said. “The little ones get curious and deviate off course<\/a>, at times, so that’s normal.”<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

After a couple of hours, the young whale left the marina and returned back to the open ocean. Source: Emily Jane<\/p>\n

He said based on the size of the animal, it’s likely a juvenile rather than a calf, and possibly not reliant on its mother anymore. Sometimes though, a mother whale can be nearby but not spotted as they can rest underwater for some time.<\/p>\n

Emily said it’s not the first close encounter with wildlife in the river. A week or two ago she saw a pod of dolphins<\/a> and climbed down the rocks to the surface of the water where they interacted with her.<\/p>\n

“It was just amazing,” she said. “There has been a lot of activity in that area, the past couple of weeks, and I’ve just been lucky enough to see it all.”<\/p>\n

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

You can also follow us on Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, Twitter<\/a> and YouTube<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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