Migaloo the Famous White Whale.

Hello and welcome to The Wollongong Map blog!

I’m Tilly from The Wollongong Map Team. In this blog I'll be sharing stories and behind the scenes insights into the making of this unique map, as well as our experiences exploring iconic places in the Wollongong area. 

While my partner, Alex, is the mastermind behind drawing the map, I've been lucky enough to be involved in the project from the beginning, helping to research and uncover some of the fascinating stories and hidden gems that we've included in the map. With my background as an educator, specialising in storytelling, history, and culture, and Alex’s expertise in art and cartography, we make a great team.

Through this blog, I will give you a glimpse into some of the incredible stories about buildings and features that are included in Alex’s amazing work.   

To kick things off, I'll start with one of my favourite features on the map. 

Migaloo, the famous white whale that occasionally travels along the South Coast heading north, can be spotted on The Wollongong Map!

Migaloo is a unique and majestic creature that has been observed by scientists for 31 years as it travels through Australian and New Zealand waters.

Image from The Guardian of Migaloo 

What makes Migaloo particularly special is that he is one of only a handful of known white humpback whales in the world. Migaloo was first sighted in 1991 and has since become something of a celebrity, attracting crowds of whale watchers whenever he is spotted.

While Migaloo is a rare sight, sometimes it is possible to spot him during his annual migration along the East Coast of Australia between May and November. Along the way, he travels past many of the beautiful beaches that are featured on the Wollongong Map.

We hope that visitors to the region will keep their eyes peeled for this magnificent creature and perhaps even catch a glimpse of him as he makes his way along the coast. 

Also remember to keep a look out for Migaloo on the map when you recieve your prints. And subscribe to our newsletters below to stay up to date with the latest news about The Wollongong Map and the stories it features.