Each winter, thousands of people visit Queensland's Sunshine Coast to witness the humpback whale migration. New research from the University of the Sunshine Coast suggests this experience shapes how people think, feel, and behave.
Researchers joined whale-watching tours, inviting participants to focus on what they could hear and see. Participants were interviewed and completed surveys capturing their emotional responses and attitudes toward the marine environment.
The sounds included natural whale vocalizations, tail slaps, and pre-recorded underwater audio. Lead researcher Vikki Schaffer said the team wanted to understand how the sounds affected emotional engagement and conservation intent.
"Emotionally, participants said the sounds made them feel happy, excited, very humble, in awe and calm," Dr. Schaffer said. The study found that experiences of awe had a strong link to "pro-environmental intent".
This included intentions to recycle more, reduce waste, or support ocean conservation efforts. "Tourism is often framed as a visual experience," Dr. Schaffer said.
"But our other senses -- particularly sound -- play a key role in shaping how we connect to places, spaces and species." Participants were divided into groups exposed to either natural whale sounds or pre-recorded whale vocalizations.
Both groups reported strong feelings of awe. Dr. Schaffer said the findings showed how significant natural soundscapes could be in shaping meaningful visitor experiences.
She said it also reinforced a need to protect underwater acoustic environments from noise pollution. "Sound is a natural resource that's often overlooked," Dr. Schaffer said.
Sunreef manager John Fell said the research had become a valuable asset for the business. He said the findings reinforced how environmental education and emotional engagement could go hand-in-hand.
Dr. Schaffer hoped the insights would help shape how future tours were designed for long-term impact. "We want people to walk away not just with a photo but with a mindset that supports protecting our oceans," she said.