With hundreds of whale sightings in Encounter Bay each year, it’s hard to imagine a time when glimpsing a whale spouting in the swell, breaching with her young, or flicking his mighty tale was a rare experience. 

But in 1990 when Ian Milnes set up Victor Harbor’s original Whale Watch Centre people thought: “Why are you doing this when there’s no whales?” 

Back then, our most beloved visiting giants were hardly ever seen off our coastline. When whaling was officially banned in the 1980s, Ian, who is a marine science teacher, joined a whale watchers group that monitored the return of Southern Right Whales to South Australian waters, with records held by the SA Museum.

Little did the group know they were making history. 

Ian remembers how Mark Judd, the education officer at the SA Museum, commented: “This could be the greatest natural history event of our generation, the return of the Southern Right Whale, back from the brink of extinction, here in Encounter Bay.”

Early records reveal there were 50 to 80 whales in Encounter Bay when the early settlers arrived in 1830. Their ample numbers were the perfect target for whalers, which threatened their survival.

Southern Right Whales travel up to 5,000 kilometres from sub-antarctic waters during the winter months to mate and give birth to their young in our warmer waters. It has taken the risk and belief of many people to protect these magnificent creatures, and encourage their return to South Australia’s coastline.

The first season for the Whale Watch Centre, which was run out of Ian’s Photocellar shop, was a huge success. Seven sightings and 13 whales. This piqued the town’s interest. 

But nothing could prepare Victor Harbor for the eruption of our oceans in 1991. There were 40 whales spotted that winter! With the return of the whales, 80,000 ecstatic visitors flooded Victor Harbor. The Whale Watch Centre was buzzing with people buying booklets, binoculars, and photographs. Ian’s shop was overwhelmed by the response. Once again Victor Harbor was famous for whales.

“We were organised, sitting, ready and waiting for the whales when they arrived on our doorstep in significant numbers in 1991 and we made the most of the opportunity they presented,” says Ian.

He was instrumental in re-establishing a whaling industry in Victor Harbor that was no longer based on whale hunting but on whale watching.

“But I didn’t do it alone. Many people helped,” he says.

With the support of the City of Victor Harbor Council and the SA Museum, what is now called the SA Whale Centre was established in 1994 at its current premises: a renovated historic goods shed at the end of the Cockle Train railway line. 

Ian, a passionate educator, continues his love of marine life through educating high school students. A highlight has been taking students snorkelling with leafy sea dragons in Encounter Bay. 

“A lot of the creatures in our southern waters are endemic to these oceans, which means they’re not found anywhere else in the world. An example is the leafy sea dragon,” Ian says.

Ian is no longer directly involved in the Whale Centre, but he is proud of the service it has become: “The SA Whale Centre is an asset to Victor Harbor. Through the centre visitors can be educated about marine creatures — not only whales — but seals, dolphins and sharks. This helps people develop a deeper appreciation for our marine life. We are very fortunate that whales return to our waters every year and in increasing numbers.”

This summer, explore the SA Whale Centre’s school holiday program: Sensational Sharks! There will be games, crafts and a world of knowledge about these awesome sea creatures. Bookings are essential. 

Sensational Sharks is now on and runs until 24 January.

To book please call 8551 0750, or buy tickets online at Eventbrite.