Phillip Island's favourite festival returns

It’s Island Whale Festival time again.

From July 3–5, the award-winning festival will celebrate its 10th year, bringing together locals and visitors to celebrate the annual migration of whales as they pass Phillip Island on their journey to warmer northern waters.

At the heart of the celebrations is the Festival Experience Hub at Berninneit Cultural Centre and now in a second location across the road at St Philip's Church Grounds in Cowes with the Little Whale Explorers Marquee.

The Hub is open daily from 10am to 4pm, and offers a mix of science, creativity, culture, curiosity and family fun.

A Festival Experience Pass (a daily or weekend pass) allows guests to explore the Festival Hub, home to interactive marine and conservation exhibits, hands-on displays and a series of large-scale installations created by acclaimed artist Zev Landes.

The Berninneit Theatre day-program will host screenings, expert presentations and family programing, while the Little Whale Explorers Marquee in St Philip's Church grounds will keep young festival-goers entertained with creative art, craft, face painting and discovery activities.

Zev’s new Killer Whale immersive room will transport visitors beneath the waves, offering a powerful encounter with the killer whales that regularly visit local waters.

“I’m bringing to life some of the killer whales that visit our waters so come and meet them,” Zev said.

Kids will also receive a treasure map that encourages exploration and curiosity, collecting stamps as they move through, with a prize at the end.

A new feature of the festival precinct is the Clay & Co Pop Up art space in the St Philip’s Church hall run by Karen Morton.

There will be a range of activities to choose from to get those creative juices flowing.

Visitors can also enjoy live local music on the Wildlife Coast Cruises stage, whale puppets, circus performances, lawn games, free activities at the Phillip Island Library and intimate workshops led by scientists, educators and conservation experts.

At the Woolamai Beach Surf Life Saving Club, visitors can meet researchers from the Dolphin Research Institute and Two Bays Whale Project, learn about whale conservation, participate in guided whale spotting and discover what a career in marine science might look like.

One of the festival's headline events is Killer Whales: The Wolves of the Sea, a special documentary screening and panel discussion hosted by ABC science journalist Belinda Smith. Audiences will hear from award-winning filmmaker David Parer and leading killer whale researchers, sharing stories from decades spent studying these remarkable apex predators.

The much-loved Whale Blessing Ceremony, led by Uncle Steve Ulula Parker on the Cowes foreshore, will once again provide a moment of reflection and connection, wishing the whales safe passage on their migration.

Whether spotting whales from Cape Woolamai, Pyramid Rock or The Nobbies, joining a Wildlife Coast Cruises whale-watching tour, or immersing in the festival's creative and educational experiences, there is something for everyone at the Island Whale Festival.

Island Whale Festival Experience Hub - Weekend Pass: $45 (Family – 2 adults + up to 4 children 15 & under) - $25 (single weekend pass); Day Pass: $25 (Family – 2 adults + up to 4 children 15 & under) - $10 (single entry) (+ booking fee)
Details: islandwhales.com.au