SPOTTED: A limited-time deal swimming your way! 🐋
Book your stay with code WHALES20 and enjoy 20% off.
Must book by 1 July | Travel anytime until 30 Sept!
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
Screening Thursday 10th, Friday 11th & Sunday 13th July
When: 7:00pm-9:40pm.
Cost: Adult 16+ $25, Concession $20
Where: Berninneit Cultural Centre - Theatre
Bookings Required
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
Bookings Required
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
Bookings Required
Join in the fun and learn some acrylic painting techniques. Laugh, drink and leave with your own whale masterpiece!
When: 6pm - 9pm
Where: Mello San Remo, Shop 6, 157-159 Marine Parade, San Remo
Cost: $70 pp (inc glass of bubbles & appertisers)
Dr Barry McGovern from the Pacific Whale Foundation talks about insights into the research conducted in Hervey Bay over the last 40 years and where future research might take us
When: 2.30pm - 3.30pm
Where: Festival Hub
Cost: Included in Festival Experience Pass
Learn more about the whale and dolphin species that can be observed, from both land and ecotourism vessels around the Island.
When: 12.30pm - 1.15pm
Where: Festival Hub
Cost: Included in Festival Experience Pass
Killer Sperm Whales were some of the biggest prehistoric predators that ever existed. Come along and hear how Ben is on the hunt to find their 5 million-year-old remains underwater.
When: 11.30am-12.15pm
Where: Festival Hub
Cost: Included in Festival Experience Pass
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 2pm - 4pm
Where: Woolamai Beach Surf Life Saving Club
Cost: $15 per adult, $10 per child (under 15)
Let the roaming constellation whale and captivating critters transport you from the vibrant rock pools at our doorstep to the vast expanse of the universe.
When: Sunday 7th July
11.00am - 11.30am and 12.00pm - 12.30pm
Where: Festival Hub - grounds
Cost: Free
Join Ruairidh to hear about the evolution of the Baleen whales & the weird shapes and sizes they came in.
When: 10.30am - 11.15am
Where: Festival Hub - Theatre
Cost: Included in Festival Experience Pass
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
Cost: $15 A - $10 C
Join local artist Karen Morton for crafty hands-on fun! Create your very own snow globe.
Where: Festival Hub - Activities Room
When: 10am - 12:15pm
Cost: $25pp
Drop-in
Letina Russell will guide participants in quantum meditation with sound activation and healing.
When: Sunday 7 July - 10.01am - 11.30am
Where: Presented by - Phillip Island Library, 91-97 Thompson Ave, Cowes
Cost: Free - bookings required
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
Where: Woolamai Beach Surf Life Saving Club
Cost: Free - Bookings Recommended
Hear from our panel of whale scientist as they share their stories and ideas for a live recording of ABC Radio Big Ideas with Natasha Mitchell followed by the docu-film The Big Blue with introduction and Q&A with Dr Pete Gill who features in the film.
When: 6.30 - 9.45pm
Where: Berninneit Cultural Centre - Theatre
Cost: Adults $45, Concession $40 (includes light supper and single entry Festival Hub Pass)
Be guided by the amazing artist Jenny Cook from Clay & Co Studio to create your very own ocean inspired canvas while sipping on bubbles!
When: 5pm - 7pm
Where: Clay & Co Studio, 4 Shorland Way Cowes
Cost: $75pp inc all materials and glass of bubbles
Dr Pete Gill will talk about his and others’ research into the ecology of pygmy blue whales in the Great Southern Australian Upwelling System since 1998, and will look at the history of human impacts to these whales, up to the present.
When: 3.30pm - 4.30pm
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 & wildlife managers.
When: 2.30pm - 3.15pm
Where: Festival Hub - Theatre
Cost: Included in Festival Experience Pass
Ngargee Dance Group is a collective of First Nations young women living on Boonwurrung Country.
When: 1.30pm - 2.15pm
Where: Festival Hub - Theatre
Cost: Included in Festival Experience Pass
Hear about how Nature Parks scientists use drones & citizen science to understand the fur seals in the Bass Strait ecosystem.
When: 12.30pm-1.15pm
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: 11.30am - 12.15pm
Where: Festival Hub - Theatre
Cost: Included in Festival Experience Pass
Join us at Phillip Island Library this Whale Festival for some folding fun making your own pod of whales.
When: 11am - 1pm
Where: Phillip Island Library
Free - 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: 11am, 11.30am, 12pm, 1pm, 1.30pm and 2pm
Where: Cowes Foreshore Beach
Cost: $15 A - $10 C
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: 5 sessions - Saturday and Sunday
Where: 493 Berry’s Beach Road, Ventnor
Cost: $35 per person (adults only)
Bookings essential
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: 10.30am - 11.15am
Where: Festival Hub - Theatre
Cost: Included in Festival Experience Pass
View ocean inspired works from some of Millowl’s (Phillip Islands) talented local artists.
When: 10am-3pm
Where: The Nobbies Centre
Drop in
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
Children from 7-14 will engage in Whale tales to connect with the gentle energy of these majestic, loving beings guided by Letina Russell
When: 10am - 11am
Where: Phillip Island Library
Cost: Free - Bookings required
Join local artist Karen Morton for crafty hands-on fun with timber whales & tails painting. Paint your very own timber whale tail!
Where: Festival Hub - Activities Room
When: 10am - 12:15pm
Cost: $20pp
Drop-in
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)
🌱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!
When: 9.30am - 12.30pm
Where: 662 Back Beach Road, Ventnor
Free to attend - includes complimentary lunch
Join in a Listening Circle with YAWA - an Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander think tank.
When: 6.30pm - 8pm
Where: Phillip Island Boardriders Club, 76 Veterans Drive, Newhaven
Drop in - no bookings required
Be guided by the amazing artist Jenny Cook from Clay & Co Studio to create your very own ocean inspired canvas while sipping on bubbles!
When: 5pm - 7pm
Where: Clay & Co Studio, 4 Shorland Way Cowes
Cost: $75pp inc all materials and glass of bubbles
