Victor Harbor’s Winter WhaleFest 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 their coastal landscapes and marine environment.
The Victor Harbor Winter WhaleFest program features thoughtfully curated events for the whole family. The festival is a rare opportunity to hear and learn from marine conservation leaders and to immerse yourself in the magic of the marine world firsthand. Kids of all ages can also participate in a range of educational and cultural experiences.
2024 Winter Whale Fest Program
Self Guided Tour – Whaling History | 1-30 June 2024
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 | 1-30 June 2024
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 | 2-23 June 2024
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.
“Your Dunes My Dunes” Presentation by Richard House, Victor Harbor Coastcare | 5 June 2024
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.
Victor Harbor Artisan Market | 8 June 2024
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 | 8 June 2024
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 | 8 June 2024
Free, bookings essential: The 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.
Walking Tour: Stories of whaling and their shipwrecks around Encounter Bay | 8-15 June 2024
On this tour, you will hear about the local early and successful whaling industry around the Bluff and Granite Island. Also hear some stories of the whalers in the Bay.
Welcoming of the Whales and Smoking Ceremony | 9 June 2024
A traditional Ramindjeri Welcoming of the Whales and Smoking Ceremony at the amphitheater situated on Solders Memorial Gardens, Flinders Parade.
Guided Tour: Kondoli – The whale journey to Granite Island | 9 June 2024
Ngarrindjeri have a strong connection with the whale. Go for a walk across the waters from Pultang- Victor Harbor to Kaiki-Granite Island with Ngarrindjeri as they explain their connection to Kondoli the whale. 9am each Sunday in June. Duration 45 minutes (approx). Bookings essential.
Woven Wall Hanging Workshop | 16 June 2024
Join in for an afternoon of weaving, creating a beautiful wall hanging with emu feathers, raffia, quandong seeds and shells. Weaving workshop will be led by Ngarrindjeri artist Amanda Westley. Tickets $80 pp. All materials provided.
Winter Solstice with the Whales Sound Bath | 20 June 2024
Welcome and celebrate the majestic whales visiting the Encounter Bay waters. Tune into the ebb ’n’ flow of the tides connecting to your 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 | 22 June 2024
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.
Granite Island Run | 23 June 2024
Join in and 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.
Victor Harbor Science Fair | 30 June 2024
Three hours of science fun – see science shows from SciFiBri and Animals Anonymous, visit the inflatable planetarium, experience the exhibits from the Marine Discovery Centre, Fleurieu Marine Education and Roboroos with lots of hands on activities. READ MORE HERE
CLICK HERE FOR 2024 EVENT INFO AND BOOKINGS
Whale Watching Season | Victor Harbor | May – October
Winter Whale Fest is an initiative of the City of Victor Harbor.
For more information and all enquiries please visit the Winter Whale Fest website or follow the Winter Whale Fest Facebook page.
What: Victor Harbor Winter Whale Fest
When: June 2024
Where: Victor Harbor, South Australia
Who: Everyone
At Play & Go Adelaide we make every effort to provide accurate information to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. We recommend confirming times, dates and details directly before making any plans as details may be subject to change.
Image Source: Victor Harbor Winter Whale Fest
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