THE famous white whale Migaloo could soon be seen in Queensland and Sportsbet has opened a market allowing punters to bet on where the whale will be sighted.
According to the online betting company, Migaloo is on the move north and Sportsbet has South Stradbroke as the favourite at $3, just ahead of North Stradbroke Island as to where he will be seen first.
Surfers Paradise is paying $6 while north coast whale watcher's haven, Mooloolaba is at $3.25. The humpback is unlikely to do a detour, but the online bookie has Migaloo at $15 to show up in Sydney Harbour.
"There's no border restrictions for Australia's favourite whale. Migaloo is on his annual northern migration and it's only a matter of time before the big plankton muncher is spotted,'' said sportsbet.com.au's Rich Hummerston.
Reports this week from the White Whale Research Centre suggest Migaloo has been spotted off the NSW South Coast.
Where Migaloo to be spotted off next:
$3.00 South Stradbroke Island/Eden Island/Russell Island
$3.10 North Stradbroke Island
$3.25 Mooloolaba/Mudjimba/Maroochydore Beaches
$3.50 Mudjimba Beach/Island
$4.50 Moreton Bay/Moreton Island.
Migaloo normally heads north past Port Macquarie in mid-July and comes back in September or October.
North Stradbroke Island artist Delvene Cockatoo-Collins gave the whale international status when she used Migaloo as an airborne and ethereal feature of the Commonwealth Games spectacular opening ceremony.
The 40 tonne, 15 metre whale has been given extra protections under Commonwealth Government legislation due to his uniqueness.
Vessels can be fined $16,500 if they come within 500 metres of the white whale.
Migaloo is believed to be over 30 years of age.
