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
Join us at Phillip Island Library this Whale Festival for some folding fun making your own pod of whales.
When: 2pm - 4pm
Where: Phillip Island Library
Cost: Free - Drop in
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: 1.00pm - 1:45pm
Where: Festival Hub - Activities Room
Cost: $10 per child (must be accompanied by an adult - no charge for parents attending with child)
Bookings Required
Hear how the Conservation Regulators are working tirelessly to safeguard our beloved Hooded Plovers and the crucial role we all play in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our beautiful marine mammals.
When: 12.30pm - 1.15pm
Where: Festival Hub - Theatre
Cost: Included in Festival Experience Pass
Hear the tale of how a small, hooved animal in what are today's himalayas gave rise to the most spectacular lineage there is & what weird & wacky forms it's descendants took along the way to becoming the whales we know & love today.
When: 11.30am - 12.15pm
Where: Festival Hub - Theatre
Cost: Included in Festival Experience Pass
Wildlife Coast Cruises proudly presents our free live music stage with some of our talented local artists!
When: Friday, Saturday & Sunday - 10am - 4pm
Where: Festival Hub
Cost: Free
Join the team at the Phillip Island Library to celebrate the whale festival with a fun whale hat to construct.
When: 11.00am - 1.00pm
Where: Phillip Island Library
Cost: Free - bookings recommended
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
Cost: $15 A - $10 C
Come on a journey to uncover the largest sharks that ever existed!
When: 10.30 - 11.15am
Where: Festival Hub - Theatre
Cost: Included in Festival Experience Pass
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
Your little ones will love our super cute face painting - choose from a whale, dolphin, seal or penguin.
When: 10am - 4pm
Cost: $10 each
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
Join local artist Karen Morton for crafty hands-on fun! Create your very own whale themed calico bag with ocean themed block printing.
Where: Festival Hub - Activities Room
When: When: 10am - 12:15pm
Cost: $20pp
Drop-in
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 Hub - Grounds
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+)
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)
Join in the fun and learn some acrylic painting techniques. Laugh, drink and leave with your own whale masterpiece!
When: 6.30pm - 9pm
Where: Penguin Parade
Bookings Essential
Experience the silent disco magic through ocean themed music and an immersive dance journey of movement, fun & connection for the whole family. The crew will show you some guided, simple & fun movements - no dance experience necessary!
When: 4pm, 5pm & 6pm
Where: Festival Hub
Bookings Recommended
Learn how to spot a whale with local researchers while enjoying the magnificent views of Cape Woolamai. This is the perfect location to learn the tell-tale signs of a whale presence in our coastal waters.
When: 3pm-4pm
Where: Woolamai Beach Surf Life Saving Club
Bookings Recommended
Meet the team of DRI researchers and volunteers and ask questions about their work, getting involved and careers in marine science.
When: 12pm-4pm
Where: Woolamai Beach Surf Life Saving Club
Drop in
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: 12pm-4pm
Cost: Free - Drop in
Wildlife Victoria’s CEO shares knowledge from her decade-long experience in wildlife rescue and rehabilitation and Wildlife Victoria’s important role in caring and advocating for Victoria’s Wildlife.
When: 12pm-12.45pm
Where: Festival Hub
Bookings Recommended
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: 12pm & 2.30pm
Where: Masonic Hall
Bookings Recommended
Join Brooke from the Island Cookie Box to create your own whale cookie masterpiece! Yum!
When: 11:30am & 12pm
Where: Festival Hub
Bookings Recommended
Your little ones will love our super cute face painting - choose from a whale, dolphin, seal or penguin.
When: 11am - 4pm
Where: Festival Hub marquee
Free Winter Whale Fun for Kids! Make your very own cute whale out of pom poms. Learn about these huge, majestic animals that live in our oceans at the Phillip Island Visitor Information Centre.
When: 11am-1pm
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: 11am-11.45am
Where: Festival Hub
SOLD OUT (check on the day for cancellations)
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
Find a range of stalls, activities, talks, presentations, live music, VR experience, Whale Festival information and more at the Festival Hub in Cowes.
When: 10.00am-4pm
Where: Festival Hub
St Philip’s Church Hall, 102 Thompson Avenue, Cowes
