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.
Wed 1 - Sun 5 July
Sip on four taster sized beers [150ml], each paired with the story behind the brew.
10am - 4pm
Fun hands-on ceramic, plaster and paper clay painting at the Clay & Co Studio
Where: Clay & Co Studio, 4 Shorland Way, Cowes
Cost: From $10 - drop in
10am - 4pm
There is so much fun for the whole family at the Festival Experience Hub this year at the Berninneit cultural centre in Cowes PLUS our new Little Whales Explorer Tent packed with kids activities! Grab your Festival Experience Hub Pass & enjoy the fun!
Daily Pass: $25 (Family – 2 adults + up to 4 children 15 & under) - $10 (single entry 16+)
Weekend Pass: $45 (Family - 2 adults + up to 4 children 15 & under) - $25 (16+)
10am - 4pm
Your little ones will love our super cute face painting - choose from whale designs and Phillip Island animals.
Where: Little Whale Explorers, Festival Hub
Cost: $10 - $15 each
10am - 4pm
Paint plaster sea creatures, create whale sculptures & make paper crafts.
Where: Little Whale Explorers, Festival Hub
Cost: from $10 - drop in
Friday 10.45-11am - 12.45-1.45pm - 3.30 - 4pm
Saturday 10.45-11am - 11.45am-12.45pm - 3.45 - 4pm
Sunday 11.30am-12pm - 1.45-2pm - 2.45-3pm
Be swept away by the sights and sounds of Millowl’s marine life.
Cost: Included in your Festival Experience Pass
Location: Festival Hub - Theatre - drop in
Friday 11am - 11.45am - 2pm - 2.45pm
Saturday 2pm - 2.45pm
Sunday 10am - 10.45am
Learn from palaeontologists in a fun, hands-on drawing workshop to bring back to life Victoria’s ancient whales and sharks. Ages: 7+
Where: Berninneit - Co working space (upstairs)
Cost: $15 (+ booking fee)
11am - 3pm
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 with any purchase. All keyrings have been handmade by members of the Phillip Island Gallery.
Cost: FREE - drop in
Location: Phillip Island Gallery, 119 Settlement Road, Cowes
Friday 12pm-12.45pm
Saturday 10am-10.45am
Sunday 3pm-3.45pm
Drop in and see some of your favourite ABC Kids programs on the big screen!
Cost: Included in your Festival Experience Pass
Location: Festival Hub - Theatre - drop in
Friday 3pm - 3.45pm
Saturday 11am - 11.45am
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.
Where: Berninneit - Co working space (upstairs)
Cost: $15 (+ booking fee)
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
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)
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 - 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
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
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
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
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 - 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
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
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
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
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
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
6.30pm - 10.30pm
An unforgettable black tie dinner to mark the Winter Solstice with a menu built around the season will showcase local produce, with truffles featured throughout and wines paired to match. Live music carries through the evening, with telescopes set across the lawn for stargazing between courses.
Where: Phillip Island Winery, 414 Berrys Beach Road, Ventnor
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
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
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)
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Soak up the festival vibes and enjoy a weekend of live local music!
Proudly supported by Wildlife Coast Cruises
When: 10am - 4pm
Drop in
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
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
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
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)
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
Your little ones will love our super cute face painting - choose from a whale, dolphin, seal or penguin.
When: 10am - 4pm
Cost: $10 each
With powerful vocals, mixed with storytelling this will be a memorable evening not to be missed.
When: 5pm - 7pm
Where: Dimples Lounge Bar, 5 Thompson Ave, Cowes
Free
Join local Community Artists to create your own whale crown incorporating natural materials & recycled cardboard. The crown will celebrate whales & recognises the importance of caring for the living world.
When: 3-4pm
Where: Festival Hub
SOLD OUT (check for cancellations on the day)
Trek up along the high Cape Track that provides one of the best lookout spots for local wildlife, migrating whales & learn fundamental principles of wildlife photography.
When: 2pm - 5pm
Where: Woolamai Beach SLSC
Bookings Required
Where do whales come from & where do they go? Have you seen whales today? Join this discussion & presentation on the whales we see in our water each year. Learn about how you spot & report sightings.
When: 2pm - 2:45pm
Where: Woolamai Beach Surf Life Saving Club
Bookings Recommended
Uncle Steve will facilitate a Deep Listening Circle in which he will share stories, songs and dances of the Whale Dreaming, the Great Whale Migration and the importance of being in right relationship with the Living World.
When: 1-1.45pm
Where: Festival Hub
SOLD OUT
Join Brooke from the Island Cookie Box to create your own whale cookie masterpiece! Yum!
When: 1pm & 1.30pm
Where: Festival Hub
Bookings Recommended
