Story Telling Project

Inspired by Peter C. Stone’s award-winning illustrated book, ‘Waltzes with Giants’, this immersive audio walking experience ‘South Head Whale Tale’ written by actor/writer Vashti Hughes has been adapted for children’s education and entertainment. With thanks to the creative contribution of collective Friends of South Head which also includes Actor Drew Fairley and Comedian/Journalist Wil Anderson. Sound design by Ross Johnston.

The Humpback whales feed in the bountiful Antarctic waters, to store up enough blubber for their annual migration. They head North to the breeding and mating grounds. We are introduced to Mahloo, who describes her daily feeding ritual of fish and then krill, but as she heads toward the Great Barrier Reef, she becomes entangled in a ‘ghost net’, one of the many human hazards that the marine mammal population may encounter floating in their ocean environment.

01: Greetings from Antarctica

02: The Thrill of delicious krill

03: Balancing the ecosystem

Mahloo is pregnant and heads North to the birthing waters, her final destination is Hervey Bay. There is an abundance of aquatic marine life, fuelled by estuarine deltas, Mother and calf Humpback whales can relax just South of the saltwater crocodiles, protected from larger ocean predators by their social culture and physical size along the sandy shoals of the Kangai Shores.

04: Travelling North

05: The near escape

06: Great Barrier

Mother & Calf Humpback whale continue their journey South together, from Hervey Bay. On their way large ships cause sonar confusion and they lose their way detouring into Sydney Harbour. The calf whale is struck by the Manly Ferry but in spite of all the dangers, they continue swimming for the Summer feeding ground.