From May to October, you can spot whales along the coastline of Phillip Island and Bass Coast on the Whale Discovery Trail. Take a walk, ride or drive along the discovery trail to spot whales and learn about the natural environment.
A 4-hour cruise that circumnavigates Phillip Island in search of the Humpback and Southern Right whales, visiting Seal Rocks, with regular dolphin and albatross sightings. Includes morning tea and lunch.
8:30am to 12:30pm – Bookings Essential
Rhyll Jetty
Set sail on a 3-hour winter dolphin & whale adventure venturing past the sheer cliffs of Cape Woolamai and along Phillip Island’s attractive southern coastline.
1pm to 4pm – Bookings Essential
San Remo Jetty
Dive deep into the world beneath the waves, where up-close encounters with curious marine creatures come to life on the big screen
When: 6.30 - 9pm
Where: Berninneit cultural centre
Bookings Required
Hear about the whales of Victoria and how to spot them from local researchers in our 50-minute presentation, followed by a 30-minute guided whale-spotting experience, kids' activities featuring real whale bones, sounds, and games, and an opportunity to talk all things marine with our team.
When: 10am - 12pm; 2pm - 4pm
Where: Woolamai Beach Surf Life Saving Club
Cost: $15 per adult, $10 per child (under 15)
There is so much fun for the whole family at the Festival Experience Hub this year at the brand new cultural centre in Cowes - Berninneit. Grab your Festival Experience Hub Pass & enjoy the fun!
When: 10am - 4pm
Friday 5, Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 July
Daily Pass: $10 (Family – 2 adults + up to 4 children 15 & under) - $5 (single entry 16+)
A welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony will be provided by the Traditional Owners of the land, the Bunurong people of the Kulin Nation.
When: 10am - 10.30am
Where: Festival Experience Hub
Come along & join in a fun hands-on workshop on ocean-themed ceramic painting. We also have a variety of plaster sea creatures for you to paint too!
When: 10am - 4pm
Where: Clay & Co Studio, 4 Shorland Way, Cowes
Cost: Plaster - from $5; Ceramic - from $15 (depending on chosen size)
Drop in
Come along and join Ranger Sue for some fun, learning, and conservation at the winter whale festival! Let's make a difference together and show our support for the majestic whales that call our oceans home
When: 11.30am, 12pm, 1pm and 1.30pm
Where: Cowes Foreshore Beach
Hear about the whales of Victoria and how to spot them from local researchers in our 50-minute presentation, followed by a 30-minute guided whale-spotting experience, kids' activities featuring real whale bones, sounds, and games, and an opportunity to talk all things marine with our team.
When: 9.30am - 11.30am; 12.30pm - 2.30pm; 3.00pm - 5.00pm
Where: Woolamai Beach Surf Life Saving Club
Cost: $15 per adult, $10 per child (under 15)
Come along and join Ranger Sue for some fun, learning, and conservation at the winter whale festival! Let's make a difference together and show our support for the majestic whales that call our oceans home
When: 11am, 11.30am, 12pm, 1pm, 1.30pm and 2pm
Where: Cowes Foreshore Beach
Join our panel of experts with decades of experience both within Australia and overseas for a discussion on how, when and where opportunities exist for a career in marine science. Not academically minded? No problem, we have solutions for you too!
When: 9.30am - 10.30am
Come along and join Ranger Sue for some fun, learning, and conservation at the winter whale festival! Let's make a difference together and show our support for the majestic whales that call our oceans home
When: 11am, 11.30am, 12pm, 1pm, 1.30pm and 2pm
Where: Cowes Foreshore Beach
Hear about the whales of Victoria and how to spot them from local researchers in our 50-minute presentation, followed by a 30-minute guided whale-spotting experience, kids' activities featuring real whale bones, sounds, and games, and an opportunity to talk all things marine with our team.
When: 11am - 1pm and 2m - 4pm
Where: Woolamai Beach Surf Life Saving Club
Cost: $15 per adult, $10 per child (under 15)
Dr Wally Franklin has studied eastern Australian humpback whales in Hervey Bay for thirty years. He summarises what has been learnt about the incredible annual humpback whale migration. Hosted in person by Dr Sue Mason and online by Wally Franklin.
When: 3pm-3.45pm
Where: Festival Hub - Hall
Bookings Recommended
Join local illustrator & artist Zev Landes (the creator of our whale mascots) in a fun workshop learning how to draw whales. No drawing experience necessary.
When: 2pm-2.45pm
Where: Festival Hub
Bookings Recommended
Learn how DEECA studies endangered Southern Right Whales using the unique patterns on their head & find out how you can join the WhaleFace community & contribute to this important research.
When: 1-1:45pm
Where: Festival Hub
Bookings Recommended
Join Brooke from the Island Cookie Box to create your own whale cookie masterpiece! Yum!
When: 1pm & 1.30pm
Where: Festival Hub
Bookings Recommended
Follow a published author and wildlife photographers’ journey to help the natural world through the camera. Join Chris to learn why it is important to photograph animals and birds that may be injured or be rare in existence.
When: 12pm-12.45pm
Where: Festival Hub
Bookings Recommended
Free Winter Whale Fun for Kids! A fun activity for the whole family making origami whales at the Phillip Island Visitor Information Centre.
When: 11am-1pm
Where: Phillip Island Visitor Information Centre
Drop In
Learn about the spectacular reefs around Australia’s southern coastline, while you explore Victoria’s biodiverse Marine National Parks, ‘snorkelling’ with dolphins, seals & rock lobsters.
When: 11am, 1.30pm & 3.30pm
Where: Masonic Hall
Drop In
50 million years ago, the ancestor of all whales walked on land. At the size of a Labrador & superficially resembling an otter, it would eventually make its way into the water. Join palaeontologist Ben Francischelli on a journey to uncover the evolution of the whale.
When: 11am-11.45am
Where: Festival Hub
Bookings Recommended - SOLD OUT
Join local Community Artists to create your own whale crown incorporating natural materials & recycled cardboard. The crown will celebrate whales & recognises the importance of caring for the living world.
When: 11am-12pm & 2pm-3pm
Where: Festival Hub
SOLD OUT (check on the day for cancellations)
Where do whales come from & where do they go? Have you seen whales today? Join this discussion & presentation on the whales we see in our water each year. Learn about how you spot & report sightings.
When: 10.30am - 11.15am
Where: Woolamai Beach Surf Life Saving Club
Bookings Recommended
How many flukes and fins can you identify? Learn how scientists identify whales by their patterns or marks on their fins or flukes (tails), which are similar to fingerprints for humans.
When: 10am-4pm
Cost: Free - Drop In
The Western Port Biosphere Foundation is leading an exciting partnership that will reveal just how much the Western Port UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve region can and could help fight climate change thanks to its wealth of carbon-absorbing marine habitats.
When: 10am-10.45am
Where: Festival Hub
Bookings Recommended
Local Community Artists will facilitate decoration of a large whale puppet with messages about the importance of caring for whales, oceans & the Living World.
When: 10am-11am & 1 - 2pm
Where: Festival Hub
Drop in
Recycle & transform plastics using new, innovative technology into a unique item for you to keep! Learn about the impact of plastic on our marine environment & about solutions to tackle plastic waste.
When: 10am, 12pm & 2.30pm
Where: Masonic Hall
Bookings Recommended
With powerful vocals, mixed with storytelling this will be a memorable evening not to be missed.
When: 5pm - 7pm
Where: Dimples Lounge Bar, 5 Thompson Ave, Cowes
Free
Join in the fun and learn some acrylic painting techniques. Laugh, drink and leave with your own whale masterpiece!
When: 4pm - 6.30pm
Where: Penguin Parade
Bookings Essential
Have you ever wanted a career in marine science? Ever wondered what it's like to work in the field? Come along to hear from & ask questions of local marine scientists, project officers, educators & wildlife managers.
When: 3:15-4pm
Where: Festival Hub
Bookings Recommended
Join local Community Artists to create your own whale crown incorporating natural materials & recycled cardboard. The crown will celebrate whales & recognises the importance of caring for the living world.
When: 3-4pm
Where: Festival Hub
SOLD OUT (check for cancellations on the day)
Travel to the island on the passenger ferry from Crib Point on the Mornington Peninsula. For the month of July you’ll receive 10% off your ticket!
Learn how DEECA studies endangered Southern Right Whales using the unique patterns on their head & find out how you can join the WhaleFace community & contribute to this important research.
When: 2:15-3pm
Where: Festival Hub
Bookings Recommended
Trek up along the high Cape Track that provides one of the best lookout spots for local wildlife, migrating whales & learn fundamental principles of wildlife photography.
When: 2pm - 5pm
Where: Woolamai Beach SLSC
Bookings Required
Where do whales come from & where do they go? Have you seen whales today? Join this discussion & presentation on the whales we see in our water each year. Learn about how you spot & report sightings.
When: 2pm - 2:45pm
Where: Woolamai Beach Surf Life Saving Club
Bookings Recommended
Don’t miss the only opportunity to see The Ocean Film Festival in Victoria this winter. Each of the festival’s 7 films conveys a deep respect and appreciation for the world’s oceans and the creatures that call them home.
When: 2-5pm & 7-10pm
Where: Newhaven College, Black Box Theatre
Bookings Required
Uncle Steve will facilitate a Deep Listening Circle in which he will share stories, songs and dances of the Whale Dreaming, the Great Whale Migration and the importance of being in right relationship with the Living World.
When: 1-1.45pm
Where: Festival Hub
SOLD OUT
Join Brooke from the Island Cookie Box to create your own whale cookie masterpiece! Yum!
When: 1pm & 1.30pm
Where: Festival Hub
Bookings Recommended
Hear how Nature Parks scientists use drones and citizen science to understand the fur seals in the Bass Strait ecosystem. Dive into using technology to study marine mammals.
When: 12pm-12.45pm
Where: Festival Hub
Bookings Recommended
A celebration through movement of the ocean waters and all the creatures that live in them. Suitable for all ages and limited numbers.
When: 11:30am-12:30pm
Where: San Remo Library
Booking Required
Learn about the spectacular reefs around Australia’s southern coastline, while you explore Victoria’s biodiverse Marine National Parks, ‘snorkelling’ with dolphins, seals & rock lobsters.
When: 11am, 1.30pm & 3.30pm - drop in sessions
Where: Masonic Hall
Local Community Artists will facilitate decoration of a large whale puppet with messages about the importance of caring for whales, oceans & the Living World.
When: 11am-12pm & 2-3pm
Where: Festival Hub
Come on a journey to uncover the largest sharks that ever existed. How did one of the largest macro-predators of all time go extinct? Examine the evolution, rise, and ultimate downfall of this monstrous shark.
When: 11am-11.45am
Where: Festival Hub
SOLD OUT
