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
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
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
