Whale oil

Animal or animal product
Whale oil

Today, the annual humpback whale migration lures tourists keen for a sighting of these gentle giants. But in 1912 it enticed Norwegian whalers to the area to hunt whales at nearby Point Cloates. Aboard steam-driven whale chasers and factory ships, the Norwegians would launch grenade harpoons to capture and kill the ocean giants. Onshore, they’d process the whales’ offal into fertiliser and blubber into oil to be stored in bottles like this one. By 1916 the whalers had decimated the whale population and abandoned the whaling station. Various other whalers followed in the Norwegians’ wake until World War II, after which the Australian North West Whaling Company took on the station from 1949 until 1957. Whaling was banned in Australia in 1978 and whale populations are now bouncing back.

Available at:

Ningaloo Centre

A world of natural and cultural discovery

The large, modern and stylish Ningaloo Discovery Centre includes the Ningaloo Visitor Centre, function centre and adjoining aquarium. Inside the discovery centre you’ll find the region’s cultural and...

Address:

2 Truscott Cres
Exmouth WA 6707
Australia

Open Hours
Mon to Fri 8.30am - 5pm; Sat to Sun 9am - 1pm

More from the Ningaloo Centre

Top-secret clandestine craft

It may not look like much but this replica submersible canoe has all the makings of a James Bond film. Known as ‘Sleeping Beauties’, the canoes were designed for clandestine operations during World...

A slice of America in the North West

Exmouth owes its formation to the US naval communication station established in 1968. At its prime the station supported a population of Americans who sent encrypted messages to United States and...

While you're in the area

Filter
Vlamingh Head Lighthouse Scenic Drive
Attraction
Vlamingh Head Lighthouse Scenic Drive
The Vlamingh Head Lighthouse Scenic Drive offers breathtaking views of the...
Vlamingh Head Lighthouse via Yardie Creek, Exmouth, WA 6707
Wreck of SS Mildura
Attraction
Wreck of SS Mildura
The intriguing sight of the shipwreck of SS Mildura can be seen from the...
via Mildura Wreck Road, Exmouth, WA 6707
Town Beach
Attraction
Town Beach
The Exmouth coastline offers a number of beautiful sandy beaches and the...
Madaffari Drive, Exmouth, WA 6707
Bamboo Exmouth
Food and Drink
Bamboo Exmouth
Welcome to Exmouth's first Sushi Cafe! Bamboo is a healthy food and...
Maidstone Crescent, Shop 1, Exmouth, WA 6707