Welcome to Winter Whale Fest 2025!
This June, Victor Harbor once again bursts to life with Winter Whale Fest – a month-long celebration honouring our wild coastal environment, remarkable marine life, vibrant culture, intriguing science and boundless creativity.
At the heart of this year’s festivities is the story of Kondoli – the whale from Ngarrindjeri Dreaming who gave fire to the people. This powerful story, beautifully shared by Ngarrindjeri Elders, resonates deeply, highlighting the profound and enduring connections between land, waters and culture, and inspiring every aspect of the 2025 program.
The festival promises unforgettable experiences, with highlights including the enchanting Kondoli Lantern Workshops and Parade, and the captivating Water People exhibition. Immerse yourself further with cultural experiences, hands-on community workshops, art-filled afternoons, science talks and guided coastal explorations.
With over 25 events unfolding across the month – from the Welcoming of the Whales ceremony to native tree planting at the Bluff, and even an exhilarating live metal gig at the Victor Harbor Town Hall – there’s truly something for everyone.
We can’t wait to welcome you to the coast this winter.
— Mark Koolmatrie and Stacey Richardson, Festival Directors
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.
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 SA Whale Centre.
Be guided through the museum's cellar and learn more about whales, their anatomy and feeding habits.
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 Victa Cinemas. Please note venue change due to forecast rain Sunday.
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.
Winter Whale Fest Expo
Free event: A family friendly day in Railway Plaza filled with talks, workshops, music, local artists, and kids’ activities.
Speak to local conservation groups, browse ocean themed local artisan stalls. Join in the junior whale spotter training session, wander the SA Whale Centre and Sea Shepherd exhibit.
Play lawn games and have a great family fun filled day!
Winter Whale Fest Ocean Creatures Drawing Workshop For Children
Join us to celebrate the Winter Whale Fest, learn to draw and design Ocean Creature characters, for ages of 6 -14 yrs.
Paul Rutter demonstrates how to draw the magic dolphin, Granny shark and Hugo the humpback whale. Participants receive a free activity book to work with, as part of their drawing session.
Winter Whale Fest Ocean Creatures Drawing Workshop For Adults
Join us to celebrate the Winter Whale Fest! Learn to draw species of Australian migratory whales, for ages of 14 years - adult.
Paul Rutter will demonstrate how to draw the a Southern right whale, an Orca, a mysterious Bryde’s whale and a majestic Humpback whale.
Walking 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. 11:30am and.1:00pm Saturday 7 June. Duration 45 minutes (approx). Bookings essential.
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.
Bluff Community Planting Festival
Join us for a community planting event at the Bluff Reserve, Encounter Bay on the 21st of June, a funded project by the Bupa Healthy Cities Landcare Program. We will be planting 2,500 native plants to enhance our local environment. This event is a great opportunity to get your hands dirty, connect with the community and contribute to a greener future.
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.
The Revenge of Captain Hellfire & the Wretched Brethren, Storm the Crown and Sudden Age
A raucous musical experience with pirate punks Captain Hellfire and the Wretched Brethren, ably assisted by locals Sudden Age and hardcore/metal from Storm the Crown.
Victor Harbor Science Fair
Victor Harbor Science Fair features captivating science shows, robotics, astronomy, and engaging hands-on activities for primary school aged children.
Walking Tour: Stories of whaling and their shipwrecks around Encounter Bay
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!
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.
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.
Talk: Why do whales strand and what should we do about it! with Dr M Bossley
Free event (bookings essential): Meet and hear environmentalist, scientist and advocate Dr. Mike Bossley as he delves into the mysteries of whale strandings, offering insights and actionable solutions.
Woven Wall Hanging Workshop
Come and 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, just bring your drink bottle .
2024 CLLMM Science Forum
Free event (bookings essential): Join the CLLMM Research team for a day of science at the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth (CLLMM) Research Centre.
With four sessions throughout the day there will be activities for all ages.
Water People Exhibition Opening
Free event (bookings essential): Opening event for the 2024 Water People Exhibition. Curator Lauren Weir brings works together by Australian multi-disciplinary artists who will explore our relationship with the future of water. Complimentary light nibbles and wine.
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.
Water People Art Exhibition
Free entry: Curator Lauren Weir brings works together by Australian multi-disciplinary artists who will explore our relationship with the future of water.
Beach Clean Up
Join the Big Duck Boat Tour crew for a beach clean-up at Victor Harbor! Convene at Kent Reserve, Encounter Bay, 2pm sharp. Let's safeguard our beautiful beaches together. Remember to bring your own gloves and rubbish bags to make a real impact. See you there for a day of community and environmental action!
Encounter Clay: Learn Wheel Thrown Pottery, Hand Building & Sculpture
Join our friendly volunteers for a creative morning at our community-based small group pottery workshop. Whether you're interested in making pots, plaques, sculptures, or learning to use the pottery wheel, our experienced team is here to guide you through the process.
Talk: “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.
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.
Southern Ocean Adventure - Big Duck Boat Tour
Breathtaking 90-minute tour departing from the iconic Granite Island Causeway, Victor Harbor. Board our specially designed ocean craft ‘Kondoli’ – 12.5m NAIAD Rigid-Hulled Inflatable Boat & cruise between the mainland and the northern side of Granite Island, affording spectacular views of both the Victor Harbor shoreline and boulder stacked Granite Island.
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.
Walking Tour: Whale Walk and Talk
Join Fleurieu Marine Education for an immersive stroll along Victor Harbor's stunning foreshore, where the echoes of its whaling history come alive. As you wander, guided by our expert, tales of the bustling whaling industry unfold, painting vivid pictures of days gone by. You'll spot remnants of the old whaling station, now weathered but still resonant with stories.
Includes admission to the Natural Trust Museum and the South Australian Whale Centre.
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.
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.
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!