From the late 18th century, commercial whaling was a booming industry in Australia. Whales were hunted for their oil, meat, and baleen, which were used in everything from lighting lamps to making corsets. Humpback whales were especially targeted for their large size and oil-rich bodies.

Whaling operations expanded quickly through the 1800s, with both British colonists and local whaling companies establishing shore-based and open-sea stations. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples had long had relationships with whales, often featuring them in stories, ceremonies, and hunting practices. However, the scale and purpose of commercial whaling were entirely different, driven by economic gain rather than sustenance or tradition.

By the mid-20th century, whale populations had plummeted. In the 1950s and 60s alone, tens of thousands of humpbacks were killed along Australia’s east coast. By 1962, their numbers were so depleted that the east coast whaling industry collapsed. In 1978, Australia officially ended all commercial whaling and declared itself a whale sanctuary.

This was a powerful shift in public values. Instead of seeing whales as a resource, Australians began to see them as a wonder. The government banned whaling, supported conservation efforts, and backed global whale protection agreements like the International Whaling Commission’s moratorium on commercial whaling.

Today, an estimated 40,000 humpback whales migrate along Australia’s east coast each year between June and October — from Antarctica to the warm northern waters in Queensland to breed and give birth. This “humpback highway” of the Australian whale migration passes right by the Sunshine Coast, making it one of the best places in the world to encounter these gentle giants.

It’s an incredible comeback story: from near-extinction to thriving populations in just a few decades.

At The Pressure Project, we run small-group whale swims during the Australian whale migration on the Sunshine Coast not just to offer unforgettable experiences—but to help create deeper connections between humans and the ocean. We believe that when people witness the grace and power of a whale up close, something shifts. We fall in love with what we experience—and what we love, we protect.

As a business that relies on the ocean for our freediving, snorkelling and marine adventures, we feel a responsibility to be part of the solution. It’s our obligation to look after marine life and the health of the ocean so that future generations can experience the same wonder we do today. We operate with care, in small groups, always guided by respect for the animals and their natural behaviour. Crowds stress whales out—so we avoid them. Every swim is about the whales, not us.

Whether it’s through a respectful encounter with a curious humpback or learning how these animals have survived against all odds, our goal is simple: to foster love, awe, and long-term protection for our oceans.