What a Whaley big success!
Initial indications are this year’s Island Whale Festival visitor numbers are significantly up on last year’s program.
Initial indications are this year’s Island Whale Festival visitor numbers are significantly up on last year’s program with visitors participating in presentations and activities across Phillip Island from Friday to Sunday.
The festival puts together a range of free to low-cost activities for visitors to the region in the Winter School Holidays.
This year’s program was delivered at various locations including St Philip’s Church Cowes, Masonic Hall Cowes, Woolamai Beach Life Saving Club and The Nobbies Centre.
Satellite events were hosted at the Phillip Island Visitor Information Centre, Penguin Parade Theatre, North Wind Studio, Studio 3922, St John’s Church and San Remo and Waterline libraries and Maru Koala & Animal Park.
Destination Phillip Island (DPI ) said with the whole program delivering information and hands on activities it was great to see the festival back on track and becoming a key event on the calendar for the region.
There were many new additions to the program include BoxWars with over 500 whales being created, the Millowl Dreaming presentation, SipnPaint Whales sessions, and how to draw cartoon whales workshops with Zev Landes, just to name a few.
The scientific program continues to grow with presentations on whales, dolphins, killer sperm whales, careers, photography and more.
Whale cruises with Wildlife Coast Cruises were popular with no cancellations this year, and continue to be a key experience for visitors.
Kim Storey, General Manager Destination Phillip Island said volunteers across the weekend were an essential component of the festival.
“We applaud the dedication from all those involved.”
Kim also thanked the Hub activity supporters – Bunurong Land Council, Victorian Fisheries Authority, Turn the Page, Boomerang Bags, Totally Renewable Phillip Island, Myli and the Conservation Regulator Victoria.
“We look forward to the next edition of the festival in the all new Cowes Cultural Centre when we will be able to consolidate and deliver an extensive program in the new space,” Kim said.
“A full wrap will be published shortly, for now, thanks to everyone who contributed and visited the 2022 Island Whale Festival.”
The festival is in its sixth year and is a collaboration between Two Bays Whale Project, Dolphin Research Institute, Wildlife Coast Cruises, Phillip Island Nature Parks, Bass Coast Shire Council and managed and led by Destination Phillip Island.
It is financially supported by Destination Phillip Island, the State Government of Victoria Regional Events Fund, Bass Coast Shire Council and Westernport Water.
