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.
1pm - 4pm
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.
Book Tickets
Departs San Remo Jetty
8:30am - 12:30pm
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.
Book Tickets
Departs Rhyll Jetty
Open Daily 12-8.30pm
Dine at Pino’s Trattoria around Island Whale Festival and admire a pop-up art installation in their dining spaces featuring limited edition ocean inspired pieces.
3, 5, 10, 17 & 24 July
10am - 1pm
Go behind the scenes at Maru Koala and Animal Park with a hands-on wildlife experience where you’ll create enrichment activities alongside keepers and see animals interact with them. This intimate small-group experience also includes a close-up koala encounter, winter lunch, and time to explore the park.
Where: Maru Koala & Animal Park, 1650 Bass Highway, Grantville
Cost: $95 adults, $89 children
7:00pm-9:40pm
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 2nd, Friday 3rd & Sunday 5th July 2026
Cost: Adult 16+ $28, Concession $23
6pm - 8pm
Be guided by the in house artists at Clay & Co Studio to create your very own ocean inspired creation while sipping on bubbles!
Where: Clay & Co Studio, 4 Shorland Way Cowes
Cost: $85pp inc all materials and glass of bubbles - bookings required
2pm - 2.45pm
A short film & panel conversation exploring kelp ecosystems & sustainable seaweed farming within the UNESCO-listed Western Port Biosphere Reserve.
Where: Festival Hub - Theatre
Cost: Included in Festival Experience Pass - Drop in
1pm - 1.45pm
The sea cliffs of the surf coast of Victoria tell the story of the oldest whales in all of Australia; among them, the tiny ancestors of the largest animals of all time.
Where: Festival Hub - Theatre - drop in
Cost: Included in Festival Experience Pass
12pm - 12.45pm
Orca populations across the Indo-Pacific have highly variable characteristics but remain largely unknown, collaboration can help us shed light on these apex predators.
Where: Festival Hub - Theatre - drop in
Cost: Included in Festival Experience Pass
11.30am - 1.30pm; 2.30pm -4.30pm
Hear about the whales of Victoria and how to spot them from local researchers followed by a guided whale-spotting experience, kids' activities featuring real whale bones, sounds, and games, and an opportunity to talk all things marine with our team.
Where: Woolamai Beach Surf Life Saving Club
Cost: $17 per adult, $12 per child (under 15)
Bookings Required (opening soon)
11am - 2pm
Come and join us for range of whale crafts to celebrate the Whale Festival.
Presented by: Myli Libraries
Cost: Free - drop in
Where: Phillip Island Library, Berninneit
11.00am - 11.30am ; 12.00pm - 12.30pm
Let the roaming constellation whale & beautiful music composed by Timothy Coghill transport you from the vibrant rock pools at our doorstep to the vast expanse of the universe.
Where: Festival Hub - grounds
Cost: Free
9am - 10am
Rug up and join us on the intertidal platform at San Remo as we search for and photograph Sea Slugs.
Where: San Remo -(meet at carpark near bridge)
Cost: Free - bookings required
10am - 11.30am
This is David Attenborough’s greatest message of hope - revealing 100 years of incredible ocean discovery and why there’s nowhere more important for a life on Earth than the ocean.
Run time: 1 hour 25 mins - Rating: PG
Included in Festival Hub Pass - first come first seated
Where: Berninneit Cultural Centre - Theatre
9.30am - 10.30am
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!
Where: Woolamai Beach Surf Life Saving Club
Cost: Free - Bookings Recommended
7pm - 9.30pm
Experience a special screening of Wolves of the Sea - a breath-taking documentary revealing the hidden world of marine apex predators. Hear from a live panel with acclaimed filmmaker David Parer and researcher David Donnelly, hosted by ABC’s Belinda Smith, featuring behind-the-scenes stories, field insights and audience Q&A.
Where: Berninneit - Theatre
Cost: Adults $20 (16+), Concession $15
6pm - 8pm
Be guided by the in house artists at Clay & Co Studio to create your very own ocean inspired creation while sipping on bubbles!
Where: Clay & Co Studio, 4 Shorland Way Cowes
Cost: $85pp inc all materials and glass of bubbles - bookings required
5pm - 7pm
Settle into the warm, rustic charm of the Churchill Island Shearing Shed and experience an enchanting candlelit performance by The Cedar Collective.
When: 5pm - 7pm
Cost: $75 per person (18+ event) - tickets required
Where: Churchill Island
3.00pm - 3.45pm
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.
Where: Festival Hub - Co working space
Cost: $15 (*booking free) - bookings required
3pm - 3.45pm
Hear about the dolphins and whales that visit Millowl | Phillip Island — where to spot them, how scientists study them, and how you can watch them safely and respectfully.
Where: Festival Hub - Theatre - drop in
Cost: Included in Festival Experience Pass
2pm - 2.45pm
Dive beneath the surface to discover the hidden wonders of our blue backyard, from hidden reefs and living fossils to fairytale-like fish and extraordinary marine life few people ever see.
Where: Festival Hub - Theatre
Cost: Included in Festival Experience Pass - Drop in
1pm - 1.30pm
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.
Where: Festival Hub - Theatre
Cost: Included in Festival Experience Pass - drop in
1pm - 1.45pm
Join marine ecologist Cara Hull for a fun (and slightly gross!) dive into the world of whale digestion.
Where: Berninneit - Co working space (upstairs)
Cost: $15 (+ booking fee)
1pm - 3pm
Be wowed by performers from Phillip Islands local circus school. In this interactive workshop you can watch the performance or join in and learn some circus skills yourself!
Where: Festival Hub - Little Whale Explorers kids activities marquee
Cost: Free
11am - 2pm
Come and create a fun Whale hat to Celebrate whales and wear during the Festival!
Presented by: Myli Libraries
Cost: Free - drop in
Where: Phillip Island Library, Berninneit
11am - 11.45am
The Megalodon & the prehistoric Killer Sperm whale were the biggest predators that ever existed – & they’re found right here, in Victoria.
Where: Festival Hub - Theatre
Cost: Included in Festival Experience Pass - Drop in
10am - 10.45am
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.
Location: Cowes Foreshore Beach (left of the jetty)
Cost: Free - Drop in
10am - 3pm
Local artist studio with handcrafted whales available for viewing and purchase or book a mosaics workshop.
Sat 4 & Sun 5 July
Location: 8 Mountainview Avenue, Ventnor
Saturday 10am - 10.45am
Sunday 11am - 11.45am
Join a wildlife photographer & author to discover how your photos can help researchers track endangered Southern Right Whales, while enjoying spectacular imagery of these remarkable whales
Where: Berninneit - Co working space (upstairs)
Cost: $10 (+ booking fee) - donated to Southern Right Whale research
10am - 1pm
Join in with some fun making origami whales, colouring in, story time (Jonah and the Whale), whale cookies and more!
Location: St Philip’s Church Hall (Emmaus Room behind hall), 102 Thompson Ave, Cowes
Free - drop in
9.30am - 11.30am; 12.30pm - 2.30pm; 3.00pm - 5.00pm
Hear about the whales of Victoria and how to spot them from local researchers followed by a guided whale-spotting experience, kids' activities featuring real whale bones, sounds, and games, and an opportunity to talk all things marine with our team.
Where: Woolamai Beach Surf Life Saving Club
Cost: $17 per adult, $12 per child (under 15)
9.30am - 12.30pm
Want to get your hands dirty and give back to our beautiful island? Join the dedicated team at Phillip Island Landcare for a tree planting session!
Where: Phillip Island Rec Reserve, corner of Ventnor and Phillip Island Roads
Cost: Free to attend - includes complimentary lunchB
7:00pm-9:40pm
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 2nd, Friday 3rd & Sunday 5th July 2026
Cost: Adult 16+ $28, Concession $23
6pm - 8pm
Be guided by Clay & Co Studio in house artists to create your very own ocean inspired canvas while sipping on bubbles!
Where: Clay & Co Studio, 4 Shorland Way Cowes
Cost: $65pp inc all materials and glass of bubbles - booking required
