Bondi Whale Festival Sunday 27th June from 10.00am to 4.00pm – Bondi Pavilion forecourt in front of the Marine Discovery Centre.
One of the best things about winter in Sydney is that the whales start to go past our shores – and mid June is the peak time to see them!
Come and celebrate the annual migration of the whales at
the Bondi Whale Festival - fun for the whole family with great
prizes including two family whale watching boat tour vouchers, whale DVD’s,
books and family passes to the Underwater Bondi Experience!
Visitors can meet “Venus”, IFAW’s life-size 15metre inflatable Humpback whale and calf; follow the clues on the ‘Whale Trail’ and then decorate & plant your own ‘Whale Tail’ (download the PDF) in the sands of Bondi to say to the world ‘hands off our whales’ – surrounded by a large African drumming group to make the point really loud!
(click HERE to download whale tail)
There will be craft activities and story readings for the kids, as well as inspirational speakers and info-stalls of conservation & marine related organisations on the Pavilion forecourt. You can even make an origami whale with Greenpeace – and send it to the Japanese government!
The highlight of the day is a free guided whale-watching walk to Marks Park Headland from 2pm (1-1.5hrs duration). Bookings are essential bookings@marinediscovery.org.au or call 9300 0242. Bring warm clothes and binoculars. Your friendly marine mammal expert guide (Dr Michelle Blewitt) will endeavour to answer all of your most burning questions, and as it is during the peak of the whale migration past Bondi we are likely to see these wondrous creatures first-hand; however, unfortunately sightings are not guaranteed (we will definitely see an Aboriginal rock engraving of one mind you!)
Our whales need your support - sadly it looks like this festival may well end up being the first opportunity for Australians to publicly show how disgusted they are that our whales are going to be legally allowed to be hunted (yes, even some of our beloved east coast humpbacks). At the IWC (International Whaling Commission) meeting that is on at the moment member countries are likely to vote to end the 20 year moratorium on whaling. For up to date news from the IWC meeting see local Tamarama resident, Director of Whales Alive, Mick McIntyre’s daily blog from Agadir, Morocco at http://whalesalive.blogspot.com. Scarily, we could easily see the end of the moratorium on whaling – so, please print out the ‘Whale Tail’ and bring it decorated to create a huge Whale Tail on the sands of Bondi AND please Click here to sign the petition against commercial whaling!
It's not all bad news - a special 2 for 1 discount for entry into the Underwater Bondi Experience at the Marine Discovery Centre is available on the day, so please bring your friends * conditions apply.
Hope to see you here!
Best, will & MDC Team
This event is made possible by sponsorship from Waverley Council’s Environmental Services Sustainability Education Program – and is part of the Bondi Winter Magic Festival: www.bondiwintermagic.com.au
MORE INFO:
Whale Tails
Take part in creating the ‘Sea of Whale Tails’, as part of the educational program with Marine Mammal Research.com - so, please print out a ‘Whale Tail’ and bring it along decorated to create a huge Whale Tail on the sands of Bondi – the best decorated tail will win:
First prize a family gift-voucher for a whale-watching adventure eco-tour kindly donated by Pro-Dive Sydney (valued at $249). Second prize a wonderful whale book donated by Zabriskie’s Bookshop, Hall St, Bondi. Third to Seventh prizes – 5 family passes to the Underwater Bondi Experience valued at $25 each)
Whale Trail*
Join us as we follow the ‘Whale Trail’, a fun-filled activity for kids and adults alike! Visit the 6 different ‘stations’ set up on the day to answer the questions, uncovering amazing facts about whales as you go (one station is the ‘Whale Tails’, so complete the entire Whale Trail and for 2 chances to win!).
Whale Tales*
We want to hear your most magical whale encounter. Dolphins, humpbacks, we want to hear about them all! Prepare an entry prior to, or on the day and hand in to one of our friendly MDC staff. Some of these will go on display. (Entries can involve text, photos, illustrations - be creative! However please limit to one A4 page, and attach name, age (for children), phone and email address).
*Participation in either the Whale Tales or Whale Trail activity will guarantee your entry into the Overall Prize Draw:
First prize a family gift-voucher for a whale-watching adventure eco-tour kindly donated by True Blue Cruises (valued at $189). Third prize a DVD on Humpback Whales donated by the ABC shop, Bondi Junction. Third to Seventh prizes – 5 family passes to the Underwater Bondi Experience valued at $25 each)
To get up to date information on the northern migration of Humpback Whales up the east coast this season, go to DECCW’s great new website http://www.wildaboutwhales.com.au – you can even become part of the Whale Tweeting club and give everyone an alert as to where you have just seen whales http://twitter.com/wildaboutwhales.
The Oceania Research Project, which has been studying and photographing Humpback Whales in Hervey Bay for many years. Details of Humpback migration “The Never Ending Journey”
http://www.oceania.org.au/education/migration/title.html
They also have a book and DVDs (please mention that you heard about them from the MDC) and you can apply to take part in their 2010 research expedition - 5 nights living aboard a boat in Hervey Bay and helping with the research.