The 80 whales beached on Tasmania's west coast have all died, but 30 others were saved from the same fate.
The long-finned pilot whales were discovered on a rocky area of coastline near Sandy Cape on Saturday.
Department of Primary Industries and Water spokesman Warwick Brennan said on Sunday the whales took a physical beating on the rocks.
He said one whale was vocally socialising with a pod of about 30 offshore and it was taken further up the beach in an effort to stop those whales from coming in.
"Our first priority was to try to stop other animals from stranding," Mr Brennan said.
"That animal died and the 30 whales milling around offshore them moved on," Mr Brennan said.
"So, we have met with some success."
Last week, 65 whales of the same species were stranded at Anthony's Beach on the state's north-west coast.
Eleven of the whales were rescued and are now back out at sea..
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