The surf was anything but "up" at South West Rocks on Sunday (June 26) but the non-existent swell was perfect for the annual ORRCA whale census.
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ORRCA stands for the Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia.
With sunny skies, clear aqua water and little wind, whales were easy to spot and hear as they breached and slapped fins and flukes.
Locals and visitors set-up at numerous sites for the afternoon show, with Little Bay, Smoky Beach and Trial Bay the most popular places to see the migrating whales.
"I saw a mother and her calf swim by and could hear them calling to one another as they came to the surface to breathe" said a visitor watching from South West Rocks lighthouse.
Two adult humpback whales played off North Smoky Beach, breaching time and time again to the delight of spectators.
First time visitors from Lennox Head, Jack Thomas and Finn Bright, came to town on a camping trip, to fish, surf and "enjoy the good weather".
The mates were at the right place at the right time to capture drone footage of the whales breaching in unison.
"Two whales synchronising [their] jumping was very cool", said Jack, who also filmed a pod of dolphins catching waves not far from the whales.
Other visitors enjoying the sights included retired couple Anna and Gary, who are staying at South West Rocks as part of a month and a half road trip.
The pair spent their Sunday afternoon enjoying the Monument Walk from their Trial Bay campground.
"The walk is taking longer than expected because we keep stopping to take photos and look at everything. It's really beautiful here", Anna said.
Members of Gladstone CWA's evening branch also found the conditions perfect for taking part in the ORRCA Census.
The early risers in the group met at Smoky Cape lighthouse at 6am.
Between sunrise and 4pm, they counted 204 whales and watched as their breaching drew screams of delight from the crowd that had gathered.
Branch members are now looking ahead to the return journey and the 2nd Whale Census Picnic Day on October 9.
The weekend's calm conditions were also ideal for fishing, sailing, snorkelling and jet-skiing.
South West Rocks bay was dotted with various boats with some also taking to rock fishing.
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