Come along & join in a fun hands-on activity painting an ocean-themed plaster or ceramic creation!
When: Open daily 10am - 4pm
Where: Clay & Co Studio, 4 Shorland Way, Cowes
Cost: Plaster - from $5 (depending on chosen size)
Drop in
Soak up the festival vibes and enjoy a weekend of live local music!
Proudly supported by Wildlife Coast Cruises
When: 10am - 4pm
Drop in
Be swept away by the sights and sounds of Millowl’s marine life in this breathtaking immersive experience.
When: 10am - 4pm
Cost: Included in your Festival Experience Pass
Location: Festival Hub
Snorkel the Great Southern Reef without getting wet in this unforgettable virtual reality adventure!
When: 10am - 4pm
Cost: Included in your Festival Experience Pass
Location: Festival Hub
Meet the team of DRI researchers and volunteers and ask questions about their work, getting involved and careers in marine science.
When: 10am-4pm
Where: Festival Hub
Included in your Festival Experience Pass
Step into the heart of the Island Whale Festival! It’s your go-to spot for immersive hands-on activities, live entertainment, creative workshops, and family-friendly fun all weekend long!
Grab your Festival Experience Hub Pass and dive into the action. There’s something magical waiting for every age and stage!
When: 10am - 4pm
Friday 11, Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 July
Weekend Pass 11-13 July: $30 (Family – 2 adults + up to 4 children 15 & under) - $12 (single weekend pass)
Day Pass: $15 (Family – 2 adults + up to 4 children 15 & under) - $5 (single entry)
Where: Festival Hub
Discover coastal-inspired creations, featuring the work of talented local artists.
When: Open daily 10am - 4pm
Cost: FREE - drop in
Where: Clay & Co, 4 Shoreland Way, Cowes
Your little ones will love our super cute face painting - choose from a whale, dolphin, seal or penguin.
When: 10am - 4pm
Where: Festival Hub
Cost: $10 each
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)
Tap into your creativity by designing your own unique whale on wooden cutouts. Every child will receive a whale and have access to a variety of paint pens to bring their creation to life in the vibrant atmosphere of the Whale Festival.
Open Daily: 10am - 4pm
Cost: Included in your Festival Experience Pass
When: Friday 11, Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 July
Location: Festival Hub
Join us for a fun crafty hands on session making your very own Whale Inspired jewellery. Brooches, Necklaces, key chains or bracelets to treasure. There is the option to make your very own paper beads too!
Where: Festival Hub - Activities Room
When: 10am - 4pm
Cost: $25pp
Drop-in
Connect with other parents in a baby-focussed session of gentle marine themed songs, stories and rhymes designed to support early language and literacy. Perfect for babies under 12 months.
Presented by: Myli Libraries
When: Friday 11 July - 10.30am - 11.30am
Cost: Free - Bookings open 23 June
Where: Phillip Island Library
Love reading? To celebrate the Whale Festival come along and share your favourite ocean themed books with like-minded bibliophiles.
Presented by: Myli Libraries
When: Friday 11 July - 11.00am - 12.00pm
Cost: Free - Bookings open 23 June
Where: Phillip Island Library
Come and see some of the most beautiful, innovative and affordable art and craft works by the local people of the Bass Coast. Show a printed or digital copy of the Phillip Island Gallery whale logo and choose a FREE unique handmade keyring. All keyrings have been handmade by members of the Phillip Island Gallery.
Cost: FREE
Open Daily: 11am - 3pm
When: Friday 11, Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 July
Location: Phillip Island Gallery, 119 Settlement Road, Cowes
Come and learn how the Conservation Regulator are using education and enforcement to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our beautiful marine mammals.
When: 11.00am-11.45am
Where: Festival Hub - Theatre
Cost: Included in Festival Experience Pass
Explore how vessel noise and marine debris affect seal health, stress and behaviour. Using drones, behavioural monitoring and health indicators, this research aims to reduce disturbance and entanglements in a population facing an uncertain future.
When: 12.00pm-12.45pm
Cost: Included in Festival Experience Pass
Location: Festival Hub - Theatre
Join marine ecologist Cara Hull for a fun (and slightly gross!) dive into the world of whale digestion.
When: 1pm - 1.45pm
Where: Berninneit - Stringybark Room (upstairs)
Cost: $7 (+ booking fee)
Bookings required
Exploring ocean kinship, cultural knowledge, and Indigenous science in caring for Country and sea. Presented by Dr. Jodi Marshall and Dr. Chels Marshall
When: 2.00pm-3.45pm
Where: Festival Hub - Theatre
Cost: Included in Festival Experience Pass
Immerse yourself in an origami session creating beautiful whales for the Whale Festival.
Presented by: Myli Libraries
When: Friday 11 July - 2.30pm - 3.30pm
Cost: Free - Bookings open June 23
Where: Phillip Island Library
Come along and view arty whales, all different made by local artists. Engage with the creators of the mosaic and ceramic creatures.
Cost: FREE - drop in
When: Friday 11 July 5pm - 7pm, Saturday 12 July 10am - 4pm, Sunday 13 July 10am - 4pm
Location: Creative Arts Station, 119-133 Settlement Road, Cowes
Be guided by Clay & Co Studio in house artists to create your very own ocean inspired canvas while sipping on bubbles!
When: 6pm - 8pm
Where: Clay & Co Studio, 4 Shorland Way Cowes
Cost: $65pp inc all materials and glass of bubbles
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
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
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
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
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
