Four councils in the Lyons electorate are among 11 sites nationally to receive federal government funding for a national initiated, aimed at promoting a better understanding of whales to the public.

Tourists, residents and whale watchers will be given a better view and understanding of migrating whales as they travel along Tasmania's East Coast, thanks to about $93,000 from the government's $250,000 National Whale Trail initiative.

Break O'Day, Glamorgan-Spring Bay, Sorell and Tasman councils will receive between $22,400 and $25,000 each to develop their sections of the national whale trail.

Lyons Liberal MHR Eric Hutchinson said the innovative funding program would help increase tourism along the coast and he expected visitors will flock to see the gentle sea giants on their annual journeys to and from the Antarctic.

Environment Minister Greg Hunt said that Australians loved marine wildlife and there was a genuine demand for land-based vantage points along the coastline.

"The national whale trail initiative will not only help increase tourism in Lyons, it will also promote understanding in the community about the importance of protecting whales and dolphins which are such a feature of coastal life," he said.

Glamorgan-Spring Bay and Break O'Day councils will use the funding to provide interpretive and educational information at a chain of viewing locations where whales are seen.

Each site will include common information about whales and water viewing guidelines as well as species diversity information, migration, conservation and history and heritage.

The National Whale Trail is part of a $2 million investment over three years by the government under its whale and dolphin protection plan.

For more information about the plan, visit www.nrm.gov.au