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.
Unwind this whale season with 30% off a 3-night stay (Sun–Thurs)*.
Enjoy cosy comfort, delicious continental breakfast provisions, late 12pm checkout, and 2 adult tickets to the Koala Conservation Reserve.
18 Steele St, Cowes
Discover the magic of Phillip Island these July school holidays.
Book a minimum 2 night stay and get 20% off when you book a holiday home with OBrien Real Estate!
Valid 4th - 20th July 2025
Whale season is here and so are Phillip Island Brewing Co’s winter seasonals, perfectly paired with a cosy winter menu!
1821 Phillip Island Rd, Cowes
Dive deep into the world beneath the waves, where up-close encounters with curious marine creatures come to life on the big screen
Screening Thursday 10th, Friday 11th & Sunday 13th July
When: 7:00pm-9:40pm.
Cost: Adult 16+ $25, Concession $20
Where: Berninneit Cultural Centre - Theatre
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
When: 3:00pm - 3.45pm
Where: Festival Hub - Theatre
Cost: Included in Festival Experience Pass
Discover the incredible whale and dolphin species that can be seen around Milowl | Phillip Island—whether from clifftops or onboard a local ecotourism cruise.
When: 2.00pm - 2.45pm
Where: Festival Hub - Theatre
Cost: Included in Festival Experience Pass
Dive into the world of Australia’s orcas - our most powerful and mysterious ocean mammals. Discover what we know, what we don’t, and how science, fisheries, and citizen sightings are helping uncover the secrets of these apex predators.
When: 1.30pm - 1.45pm
Where: Festival Hub - Theatre
Cost: Included in Festival Experience Pass
Samuel McLennan has hand built a sailing vessel entirely out of debris found in the marine environment in southern Tasmania.
He has put his life on the line and is currently on the journey from Hobart to Sydney (via Melbourne) to clean-up, raise awareness and inspire people to change.
When: 1:30pm-2:15 & 2:30pm-3:15
Cost: Free - booking required
Location: Festival Hub - Stringybark Room (upstairs)
Sip on four taster sized beers [150ml], each paired with the story behind the brew.
Where: Ocean Reach Brewing, 47 Thompson Ave, Cowes
When: Friday 9 July - Sunday 13 July
Where: Ocean Reach Brewing, 47 Thompson Avenue, Cowes
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: 11.30am-1:30pm; 2:30pm - 4:30pm
Where: Woolamai Beach Surf Life Saving Club
Cost: $15 per adult, $10 per child (under 15)
Ever wondered how scientists track wild dolphins? In this fun, hands-on workshop, you’ll learn how we identify individual dolphins by their fins and estimate populations using real research techniques! Perfect for curious secondary students and an insight intro to the Cetacean Sisters program held on Phillip Island and the Mornington Peninsula.
When: 11am - 11.45am
Where: Berninneit - Stringybark Room (upstairs)
Cost: $15 (+ booking fee)
Discover the fossil secrets of Megalodon and Livyatan—Victoria’s ancient ocean giants. Join palaeontologist Ben Francischelli as he reveals epic prehistoric predators and the citizen science discoveries rewriting our state’s ancient marine story. Suitable for all ages.
When: 11.00am - 11.45am
Where: Festival Hub - Theatre
Cost: Included in Festival Experience Pass
Join the team in the Phillip Island library to celebrate the Whale Festival with art and craft activities for all the family.
Presented by: Myli Libraries
When: Sunday 13 July - 11am - 12pm
Cost: Free - Bookings open 23 June
Where: Phillip Island Library
Explore Australia’s strangest ancient whales with palaeontologist Ruairidh Duncan. Discover the bizarre, toothed ancestors of today’s baleen whales and why they vanished—leaving behind clues in the fossil record as to how modern whales evolved and just how weird things got in Australia. Suitable for all ages.
When: 10.00am - 10.45am
Where: Festival Hub - Theatre
Cost: Included in Festival Experience Pass
Join us for a fun crafty hands on session making your very own Whale Inspired Hat or headband. The scissors, paints, glue and gems are all on hand for this fun activity.
Where: Festival Hub - Activities Room
When: 10am - 4pm
Cost: $20pp
Drop-in
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: Sunday 13 July 2025, 9.30 - 10.30am
Where: Woolamai Beach Surf Life Saving Club
Cost: Free - Bookings Recommended
Enjoy an immersive and unique experience as you step into a cozy wood-fired sauna. Relax with soothing heat and aromatic cedar scent and be transported by beautiful Whale Music.
When: Sunday 13th July - 8am, 9:30am, 11am & 12:30pm
Where: Cleeland Bight Beach, Cape Woolamai
Cost: $45 per person. Adults only
Join ReefWatch to search for slugs under the bridge at San Remo! This event takes rockpooling to the next level. You’ll also see other amazing animals, like hermit crabs, brittle stars and sea spiders.
Where: San Remo - (meet at carpark near bridge)
When: 7.30-8.30
Cost: Free - bookings required
Join Humpback Whale expert Dr Wally Franklin and indigenous whale researchers Dr Chels Marshall and Dr Jodi Edwards for an inspiring evening of science, culture and conversation exploring whales, conservation and the deep connections between sea country and community. Hosted by ABC’s Belinda Smith.
When: 7:00pm-8:30pm
Where: Berninneit Cultural Centre - Theatre
Be guided by the in house artists at Clay & Co Studio to create your very own ocean inspired creation while sipping on bubbles!
When: 6pm - 8pm
Where: Clay & Co Studio, 4 Shorland Way Cowes
Cost: $85pp inc all materials and glass of bubbles
Settle into the warm, rustic charm of the Churchill Islands Shearing Shed and experience an enchanting candlelit performance by The Cedar Collective. Their captivating repertoire blends classical elegance with contemporary favourites, creating a truly immersive musical escape.
When: 5:30pm & 8pm (Approximate show duration: 60 minutes)
Cost: $60 per person includes a complimentary drink on arrival.
Where: Churchill Island
Local Eco-photographer & citizen scientist Peter will share his experiences in locating and capturing imagery that inspires and reminds us of the importance of protecting our environment.
When: 3.00pm - 3.45pm
Where: Festival Hub - Theatre
Cost: Included in Festival Experience Pass
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: 2:00pm - 2.45pm
Where: Festival Hub - Theatre
Cost: Included in Festival Experience Pass
Join palaeontologist Ben Francischelli in a fun, hands-on drawing session where kids bring ancient whales and sharks to life! Using real fossil evidence from Victoria, participants will add muscles and skin to prehistoric skulls—learning science through art and exploring our state’s ancient marine giants.
When: 2pm - 2.45pm
Cost: $15 (+ booking fee)
Where: Berninneit - Stringybark Room (upstairs)
Ngargee' means 'Ceremony' in the language of the Boonwurrung People of the Kulin Nation. Boonwurrung Ngargee Dance Group is a collective of First Nations young women living on Boonwurrung Country.
When: 1:00pm - 1:30pm
Where: Festival Hub - Theatre.
Cost: Included in Festival Experience Pass
Sip on four taster sized beers [150ml], each paired with the story behind the brew.
Where: Ocean Reach Brewing, 47 Thompson Ave, Cowes
When: Friday 9 July - Sunday 13 July
Where: Ocean Reach Brewing, 47 Thompson Avenue, Cowes
Join us at Phillip Island Library for a special Whale Festival, ocean-themed story time with children's author, Julie Murphy.
Presented by: Myli Libraries
When: Saturday 12 July - 11am - 12.00pm
Cost: Free - Bookings open 23 June
Where: Phillip Island Library
Ever wondered how scientists track wild dolphins? In this fun, hands-on workshop, you’ll learn how we identify individual dolphins by their fins and estimate populations using real research techniques! Perfect for curious secondary students and an insight intro to the Cetacean Sisters program held on Phillip Island and the Mornington Peninsula.
When: 11am - 11.45am
Where: Berninneit - Stringybark Room (upstairs)
Cost: $15 (+ booking fee)
From small-hoofed creatures to today’s ocean giants—join paleontologist Ruairidh Duncan to uncover the incredible 50-million-year journey of whale evolution. Discover the strange and surprising ancestors that paved the way for the planet’s biggest and intelligent marine mammals. Suitable for all ages.
When: 11.00am - 11.45am
Where: Festival Hub - Theatre
Cost: Included in Festival Experience Pass
Join us for a fun crafty hands on session of timber whale and tail painting! Each participant will have fun time painting their very own timber whale Tail, each tail will have a hanger on it, ready for hanging once you get home and is a great fun activity for the whole family to mark your special time at the Festival.
Where: Festival Hub - Activities Room
When: 10am - 4pm
Cost: $25pp
Drop-in
Dive into Victoria's prehistoric oceans to discover the deepest diving whales of all time. Suitable for all ages.
When: 10.00am-10.45am
Where: Festival Hub - Theatre
Cost: Included in Festival Experience Pass
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, and wildlife managers.
When: 10.00am - 10.45am
Cost: Free - booking recommended
Location: Festival Hub - Stringybark Room (upstairs)
Traditional Custodian, Ceremony Maker and Artist Uncle Steve Ulula Parker will facilitate a Ceremony to bless the whales and wish them safe passage on their migration past Millowl (Philip Island) to the warmer northern waters.
When: 10-10.45am
Location: Cowes Foreshore Beach (left of the jetty)
Cost: Free - Drop in
