The majesty of whales has long been lauded far and wide, but for us city dwellers, these giants of the sea are fairly elusive. But whether you're a whale fanatic or have always wanted to see one in the flesh, Phillip Island's whale festival is the place to be on the first weekend of July.
With fascinating talks presented by experts, virtual reality and immersive experiences, doco screenings, aquatic-themed activities and craft workshops and of course, guided whale watching sessions – you'll feel like a whale expert yourself after spending the day or the weekend at Island Whale Festival.
Phillip Island's coastal waters play host to humpback whales, southern right whales and occasionally killer whales, typically from May to September. Wander along the Whale Discovery Trail for the best vantage points, or if you're a super keen whale watcher, you can even head out on a boat cruise.
There's a tonne of whale-themed fun happening across the three days, so head to the event's website to dive into the full program. A festival pass is $10 which allows access to most of the talks and activities, other events have tickets available for purchase.