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
Dr Wally Franklin has studied eastern Australian humpback whales in Hervey Bay for thirty-years. He summarises what has been learnt about the incredible annual humpback whale migration
When: 3:00pm - 3.45pm
Where: Festival Hub - Theatre
Cost: Included in Festival Experience Pass
Discover the incredible whale and dolphin species that can be seen around Milowl | Phillip Island—whether from clifftops or onboard a local ecotourism cruise.
When: 2.00pm - 2.45pm
Where: Festival Hub - Theatre
Cost: Included in Festival Experience Pass
Dive into the world of Australia’s orcas - our most powerful and mysterious ocean mammals. Discover what we know, what we don’t, and how science, fisheries, and citizen sightings are helping uncover the secrets of these apex predators.
When: 1.30pm - 1.45pm
Where: Festival Hub - Theatre
Cost: Included in Festival Experience Pass
Samuel McLennan has hand built a sailing vessel entirely out of debris found in the marine environment in southern Tasmania.
He has put his life on the line and is currently on the journey from Hobart to Sydney (via Melbourne) to clean-up, raise awareness and inspire people to change.
When: 1:30pm-2:15 & 2:30pm-3:15
Cost: Free - booking required
Location: Festival Hub - 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
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: 11.30am-1:30pm; 2:30pm - 4:30pm
Where: Woolamai Beach Surf Life Saving Club
Cost: $15 per adult, $10 per child (under 15)
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.
When: 11am - 11.45am
Where: Berninneit - Stringybark Room (upstairs)
Cost: $15 (+ booking fee)
Discover the fossil secrets of Megalodon and Livyatan—Victoria’s ancient ocean giants. Join palaeontologist Ben Francischelli as he reveals epic prehistoric predators and the citizen science discoveries rewriting our state’s ancient marine story. Suitable for all ages.
When: 11.00am - 11.45am
Where: Festival Hub - Theatre
Cost: Included in Festival Experience Pass
Join the team in the Phillip Island library to celebrate the Whale Festival with art and craft activities for all the family.
Presented by: Myli Libraries
When: Sunday 13 July - 11am - 12pm
Cost: Free - Bookings open 23 June
Where: Phillip Island Library
Explore Australia’s strangest ancient whales with palaeontologist Ruairidh Duncan. Discover the bizarre, toothed ancestors of today’s baleen whales and why they vanished—leaving behind clues in the fossil record as to how modern whales evolved and just how weird things got in Australia. Suitable for all ages.
When: 10.00am - 10.45am
Where: Festival Hub - Theatre
Cost: Included in Festival Experience Pass
Join us for a fun crafty hands on session making your very own Whale Inspired Hat or headband. The scissors, paints, glue and gems are all on hand for this fun activity.
Where: Festival Hub - Activities Room
When: 10am - 4pm
Cost: $20pp
Drop-in
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: Sunday 13 July 2025, 9.30 - 10.30am
Where: Woolamai Beach Surf Life Saving Club
Cost: Free - Bookings Recommended
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: Sunday 13th July - 8am, 9:30am, 11am & 12:30pm
Where: Cleeland Bight Beach, Cape Woolamai
Cost: $45 per person. Adults only
Join ReefWatch to search for slugs under the bridge at San Remo! This event takes rockpooling to the next level. You’ll also see other amazing animals, like hermit crabs, brittle stars and sea spiders.
Where: San Remo - (meet at carpark near bridge)
When: 7.30-8.30
Cost: Free - bookings required
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
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
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
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
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
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
Soak up the festival vibes and enjoy a weekend of live local music!
Proudly supported by Wildlife Coast Cruises
When: 10am - 4pm
Drop in
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
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 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
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
