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
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
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
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
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 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
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)
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!
When: 9.30am - 12.30pm
Where: Phillip Island Rec Reserve, corner of Ventnor and Phillip Island Roads
Cost: Free to attend - includes complimentary lunch
Have you ever wanted a career in marine science? Ever wondered what it's like to work in the field? Come along to hear from & ask questions of local marine scientists, project officers, educators, and wildlife managers.
When: 10.00am - 10.45am
Cost: Free - booking recommended
Location: Festival Hub - Stringybark Room (upstairs)
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
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
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
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)
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
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
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.
When: 1:00pm - 1:30pm
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)
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
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.
When: 3.00pm - 3.45pm
Where: Festival Hub - Theatre
Cost: Included in Festival Experience Pass
Settle into the warm, rustic charm of the Churchill Islands Shearing Shed and experience an enchanting candlelit performance by The Cedar Collective. Their captivating repertoire blends classical elegance with contemporary favourites, creating a truly immersive musical escape.
When: 5:30pm & 8pm (Approximate show duration: 60 minutes)
Cost: $60 per person includes a complimentary drink on arrival.
Where: Churchill Island
Be guided by the in house artists at Clay & Co Studio to create your very own ocean inspired creation while sipping on bubbles!
When: 6pm - 8pm
Where: Clay & Co Studio, 4 Shorland Way Cowes
Cost: $85pp inc all materials and glass of bubbles
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
