Humpback whale dies at Seven Mile Beach at Lennox Head, near Ballina

A large-scale operation to save a stranded whale came to a sad end when the 30-ton humpback whale died before the tide could carry it back out to sea.

The six-meter whale was stranded Saturday afternoon on Seven Mile Beach off Lennox Head, near Ballina in northern New South Wales.

Members of the public were told to stay clear of the area as teams worked to return the whale to sea.

Marine rescuers from Australia’s National Parks and Wildlife Service, Sea World and the Organization for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans all tried to help save the mammal.

Authorities had hoped that an evening high tide could take the whale to deeper water.

Rescue teams had spent all day providing shade, repositioning and pain relief for the stranded whale.

The whale sadly died around 7 p.m. on Saturday and is expected to be recovered from the beach on Sunday morning.

Humpback whales are very active along the east coast of Australia from April to November.

At this time of year, the whales can be seen along the coastline as they migrate north to warmer waters for the mating season.

Authorities had hoped that incoming tides would float the whale back afloat (above), but it tragically died around 7 p.m.

Popular viewpoints include Eden and Byron Bay in NSW and Hervey Bay in Queensland.

However, Out of the Blue Adventures co-founder Dean Fuchs said it’s unusual for whales to become stranded as they move north.

‘[If they’re stuck] they generally took the wrong turn,” Fuchs told the The Sydney Morning Herald.

Mr Fuchs said the recent big swell could be disorienting for some whales, such as those off Seven Mile Beach.

“Or it could be sick or injured and need to get close to shore,” he added.