Magical moment a southern right whale stuns motorists as it swims under a busy bridge at a popular tourist destination
- The whale was spotted at Wallis Lake separating Forster and Tuncurry in NSW
- Commuters on Forster Tuncurry bridge watched the whale out of car windows
- The southern right whale was first spotted at about 7.30am on June 29
- Aerial footage captured shows the whale swimming in the shallow lake waters
A huge whale has been spotted swimming within metres of a busy overpass at a popular tourist destination.
Wallis Lake, which separates Forster and Tuncurry in the NSW mid north coast, became a playground for the massive southern right whale on June 30.
A video shows the mammal paddling underneath the bridge with commuters on the Forster Tuncurry bridge watching in awe.
Hundreds of locals and holidayer-goes congregated on the banks of the lake to get a glimpse of the beautiful whale.
The southern right whale was spotted in Wallis Lake (pictured) as commuters on the Forster Tuncurry Bridge watched on in amazement
Aerial footage shows the whale within 50 metres of the bridge and shorelines, calmly swimming around.
The whale swims towards the bridge but turns around and heads the other direction.
The sheer size of the mammal is clear, as it is dwarfs boats on Wallis lake.
The Forster Tuncurry area is a popular NSW mid-north coast tourist location
Whale experts are still attempting to confirm whether the southern right is seeking shelter to give birth.
The whale was first spotted at about 7.30 am on June 29 according to the Great Lakes Advocate.
The National Parks and Wildlife Services, Maritime Services and Mid Coast Council have issued a protection order.
The order prevents boats, swimmers or drones from being less than 500 metres away from the whale.
Professional Photographer and Forster-Tuncurry local, Shane Chalker had a front-row seat to the water show.
The whale (pictured) entered into the estuary at about 7.30 on June 29, as experts attempt to investigate if it is trying to find a place to give birth
‘It’s been backwards and forwards; it’s done about 10 circuits down to the bridge and back to the oyster leases,’ Mr Chalker said.
‘But, it looks very calm and relaxed. It seems to be able to navigate the sandbanks.’
Southern right whales are highly endangered, and in the south-east Australian population, there is said to be only 68 breeding females left.