2024 Program
The Winter Whale Fest is a month-long Festival celebrating the arrival of the Southern Right Whales on the Fleurieu Peninsula, and an opportunity to share the passion the Victor Harbor and Fleurieu community has for the protection and preservation of our coastal landscapes and marine environment.
With more than 25 events thoughtfully curated, the Festival is a rare opportunity to hear and learn from marine conservation thought leaders, immerse yourself in the magic of the marine world firsthand, and participate in a range of educational and cultural experiences.
Full program coming soon!
Self guided tour: Explore Victor Harbor's unique and sometimes dark whaling history
Take a step back in time and discover the stories of Victor Harbor's unique and sometimes dark Whaling History. The first export industry in the new colony of South Australia. Exhibits and interactive displays, self guided or if available a volunteer may be able to talk to you about this chapter in Victor Harbor's story.
Self guided tour: Whale Art Trail
Free activity: Take a self-guided tour of eight whale art pieces located in Victor Harbor. Trail maps available for download online or printed versions are available from the Victor Harbor Information Centre or Coral Street Art Space.
Leafy Seadragon guided scuba dives with bed & breakfast
Join PADI Instructor and PADI & Seiko Watches Sea Hero Carl Charter for a guided photography tour to celebrate Winter Whale Fest. Explore the Bluff, Second Valley and/or Rapid Bay in Encounter Marine Park for your chance to see and photograph the elusive leafy seadragon. Whale song is often heard during these dives and very lucky divers have had whales swim past while diving at the Bluff dive site.
Victor Harbor Artisan Market
Free event: The Victor Harbor Artisan Market is a great place to gather with friends and family – in support of 50 plus local and South Australian artisans, creative small businesses, food & beverage vendors and musicians. Held in the heart of Victor Harbor at Railway Plaza, under Moreton Bay fig trees and amongst the towns cherished heritage buildings.
VR Experience - Marine Life of the Great Southern Reef
Join Experiencing Marine Sanctuaries for a totally immersive experience.... Put on a pair of VR goggles and immerse yourself in the marine life of the ‘Great Southern Reef’. Experience the colourful giant Australian cuttlefish, friendly sea lions, seadragons, and what it is like to dive under the Rapid Bay jetty surrounded by other divers and large schools of reef fish.
Junior Whale Spotter Training
Free, bookings essential: Our Junior Whale Spotter Program aims to teach kids, and adults, about the different types of whales we see here on South Coast, and how to identify them. Suitable for kids aged 8 years to adults. 30 minute sessions with two session times available to choose from, 11:30am 12:30pm and 1:30pm.
Welcoming of the Whales and Smoking Ceremony
Join us at 9:00am on Sunday, 9 June 2024, with a traditional Ramindjeri Welcoming of the Whales and Smoking Ceremony at the amphitheater situated on Solders Memorial Gardens, Flinders Parade.
Winter Solstice with the Whales Sound Bath
Join us again this season to once again welcome and celebrate the majestic whales visiting our Encounter Bay waters.
We will tune into the ebb ’n’ flow of the tides connecting to our deeper inner emotions as Jo offers bowl frequencies along with hang and medicine drums. The unique sounds of the didgeridoo will also be included to honour and celebrate Kondoli.
Ocean Film Festival
The Ocean Film Festival World Tour showcases a 3 hour celebration of our oceans comprised of sublime footage taken above and below the water’s surface. This unique collection of short films from around the globe document the beauty and power of the ocean.
Ngarrindjeri Language Workshop
Free event (bookings essential): Join us for Ngarrindjeri Language workshops with Kyla McHughes. Kyla McHughes is a proud local Ngarrindjeri woman, artist, and Ngarrindjeri Language teacher.
In celebration of the Winter Whale Fest, Kyla will teach us some local Ngarrindjeri marine life names, place names, their origins and simple greetings. Kyla will provide a safe and fun space to practice speaking some Ngarrindjeri words.
Beachy Wire and Beading for all ages
Free event (bookings essential): Connecting with nature has many positive effects on our personal emotions and wellbeing. Use our local natural elements to influence a piece of art to take home and enjoy.
Talented volunteers will be available to offer creative support during the session as you work on your masterpiece.
All materials provided – you are encouraged to bring a piece of nature to integrate into your work, some great examples are shells, sea glass, gumnuts or driftwood.
Snorkel Granite Island
Experiencing Marine Sanctuaries professional snorkel leaders and marine biologists will help you explore Screwpile Jetty and surrounding reef on Granite Island, home to the blue devilfish, eagle rays, elusive leafy and weedy sea dragons and other fish and plant life. Rescheduled to 18 June due to unfavourable weather conditions.
Ngarrindjeri/Ramindjeri basket weaving and culture with Cedric Varcoe
Join us for a day of learning traditional weaving with local Ramindjeri/Ngarrindjeri contemporary artist Cedric Varcoe. During the class Cedric will share story of culture and country.
“Your Dunes My Dunes” Presentation by Richard House, Victor Harbor Coastcare.
Free Event (bookings essential): Learn about the dune system along our stunning coastline and how it is being cared for. This presentation will show the remarkable results of the work that has been done over 22 years by this award-winning group of volunteers, Victor Harbor Coastcare. It will show the diverse range of activities performed by a small group of volunteers to restore and protect a narrow strip of coastline between the Bluff and Hayborough.
Winter Whale Fest Expo
Free event: A family friendly day in Railway Plaza filled with maritime talks, workshops, music, local artists, and kids’ activities.
Speak to local conservation groups, browse ocean themed local artisan stalls. Join in the beachcombing activities, take a Junior whale spotter training session, wander the SA Whale Centre and experience the Sea Shepherd exhibit guided tour. Get inside Kondoli the inflatable whale, play lawn games and have a great family fun filled day!
Beach Combing Activity
Free event, bookings essential: Hosted by Fleurieu Marine Education, this Beach Combing Activity will take kids on a 45-60 minute walk on the beach on the foreshore in Victor Harbor.
Suitable for kids aged 4 years an up, through to adults. 45-60 minute sessions with two session times available to choose from.
Paint and Sip Art Workshops
Uncork your creativity with Studio Vino, relax and unwind while painting the feature whale-themed painting, 'Whale of a Time'.
Canvas, paint and brushes are provided as well as an experienced instructor who leads you step-by-step through the process for an unforgettable afternoon/evening of painting, sipping and socialising!
Meet the Author, Dr Mike Bossley
Free event (bookings essential): Meet and hear environmentalist, scientist and advocate Dr. Mike Bossley talk about his book Dolphins, Whales & Me at the Victor Harbor Library.
Guided Tour: Kondoli - The whale journey to Granite Island
Ngarrindjeri have a strong connection with the whale. Come for a walk across the waters from Pultang- Victor Harbor to Kaiki-Granite Island with Ngarrindjeri as we explain our connection to Kondoli the whale. 9am each Sunday in June. Duration 45 minutes (approx). Bookings essential.
Ocean Themed Yoga Sessions
Free events (bookings essential): Join instructor Tania Murphy for three free ocean themed yoga sessions.
Kids (7-14 years), Adults & Family (kids 7 y/o under + parent/carer)
Relieve physical, mental and emotional stress and tension. Yoga and mindfulness can also increase your feeling of joy and can benefit everybody regardless of age, ability or experience.
Playing with Sharks: The Valerie Taylor Story
The extraordinary life story of pioneering scuba diver, Valerie Taylor, a fearless marine maverick whose passion for sharks knows no bounds – even when there should be.
Hear from Valerie Taylor AM and Dirk Holeman, Director of Sea Lion Recovery Fund and Manager Marine Parks Eyre Peninsula, orior to the film. Signed copies of Valerie Taylor AM biography An Adventurous Life available for sale.
Granite Island Run
Join us to run one of South Australia’s most iconic landmarks – Granite Island at Victor Harbor. The Granite Island Run courses will challenge runners of all levels with the new causeway, tram lines, gravel trails and some short sharp climbs to negotiate, but you will be rewarded with million dollar views across our spectacular south coast.
Guided tour of the SA Whale Centre
Join a passionate guide from Fleurieu Marine Education, as they provide anecdotes and additional educational descriptions of the exhibits, history, and artefacts in the Whale Centre.
Be guided through the museum's cellar and learn more about whales, their anatomy and feeding habits.
Walking Tour of Granite Island
Join Fleurieu Marine Education for a 1.5hr walk around Granite Island, Nulcoowarra, off the coast of Victor Harbor. Learn about the importance and history of Granite Island as you take in the breath-taking scenery of Encounter Bay.
Gain insight into why Granite Island’s little penguins call Granite Island home. Watch as seabirds such as petrels, shearwaters, and cormorants come and go from the island. Enjoy the coastal scenery and explore the island's interesting history. Be awed by the spectacular Waitpinga Cliffs and ocean views as you keep watch for dolphins and seals playing in the shallow waters around Granite Island.
Q&A Morning Tea with Valerie Taylor
Join us for Morning Tea and hear about Valerie Taylor's AM Adventurous Life and Creative Muse. Q&A interview led by MC Diego Garcia-Bellido (Associate Professor Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide) will take guests deep into the Queen of the Ocean, Valerie Taylor's life's work as an ocean activist, published author and artist.
Free Willy - Friday Flashback
To celebrate the Winter Whale Fest, Victa Cinema is bringing the 1993 hit Free Willy to the big screen! Jesse, a street kid, befriends Willy, a killer whale, and goes to great lengths to free it from the exploitative owners who want to kill it.
Water People Art Exhibition
Free entry: Water People is a group exhibition with Fleurieu-based established, mid-emerging and emerging artists. We are honoured to be hosting the work of Interstate special guest artists and ocean activists Timothy Johnston and Valerie Taylor. Immerse yourselves and dive deep into the waters of our abundant coastlines reflected through multi-medium creativity.
Water People Exhibition Opening with Queen of the Ocean Valerie Taylor
Free event (bookings essential): Immerse yourself among the Water People of our region through visual art, sculpture, audio visual, written art and connection to the Ramindjeri/Ngarrindjeri story of river and sea.
Hear from The Queen of the Ocean herself, Valerie Taylor (recently on Australian Story) in collaboration with Sydney based artist Timothy Johnston about their recent work in supporting the protection of sea lions on KI and Hopkins Island.
Water People Exhibition with Valerie Taylor AM - VIP Opening
The inaugural Water People Exhibition offers a VIP private opening event. The private exhibition opening is a unique event with limited seats catered to art collectors, water enthusiasts and protectors of sea. Hear from The Queen of the Ocean herself, Valerie Taylor AM (recently on Australian Story) in collaboration with Sydney based artist Timothy Johnston about their work + meet the artists in an intimate setting with catering provided by Billy Dohnt and local wines by Charlotte Dalton and Cooke Brothers.