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 stag!
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
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
Discover coastal-inspired creations, featuring the work of talented local artists.
When: 10am - 4pm - Friday 11th, Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th July
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
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)
Dive into Victoria's prehistoric oceans to discover the deepest diving whales of all time.
When: 10.00am-10.45am
Where: Festival Hub - Theatre
Cost: Included in Festival Experience Pass
From small-hoofed creatures to today’s ocean giants—join palaeontologist 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.
When: 11.00am - 11.45am
Where: Festival Hub - Theatre
Cost: Included in Festival Experience Pass
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
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
Dive deep into the world beneath the waves, where up-close encounters with curious marine creatures come to life on the big screen
When: 7:00pm-8:30pm
Where: Berninneit Cultural Centre - Theatre
