The South Australian Whale Centre on Railway Terrace is the main interpretive facility for the southern right whale population that uses Encounter Bay as a calving ground each winter. The centre has exhibits on whale biology, the history of whaling in southern Australian waters (Victor Harbor was a whaling station in the 19th century), and the conservation story of the southern right whale — one of the great recovery successes in marine conservation.
The centre operates a real-time whale sighting network during the season (June to October), receiving reports from shore-based observers around Encounter Bay. The daily sighting board at the entrance is a useful first stop before heading to The Bluff or the foreshore. The exhibits are accessible and well-suited to families — interactive displays, whale skeletons, and audio recordings of whale calls. Entry is paid. The staff are knowledgeable about current whale activity and can advise on the best viewing locations on any given day.