2017 FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
Bring back memoriesThe Ningaloo Whale Shark Festival celebrates this annual visit of the large and increasing numbers of whale sharks (rhincodon typus). It highlights the community’s relationship with these ‘gentle giants’ of the ocean.
Now recognised nationally and internationally as a ‘premier marine environment’, the Ningaloo Reef delights a growing number of visitors from all over the world.
FRIDAY 25 MAY
*NEW LOOK* FESTIVAL OPENING GALA NIGHTSATURDAY 26 MAY
Fancy Dress Fun Run For All Ages All corporate displays, market and food stalls ALL AGES EVENT - BAND NIGHT! Venue: Talanjee OvalSUNDAY 27 MAY
BIG DAY OUT ON NINGALOO REEF & FESTIVAL SUNDOWNER Venue: Exmouth Yacht Club
A BRIEF HISTORY
Exmouth held a small annual festival in September for years - catering mainly for the local community as well as any holidaymakers. ‘Aquafest’, a one-day event, held on the waterfront at the Exmouth Marina, celebrated Exmouth’s close relationship with the beautiful, pristine waters of the Ningaloo Reef and the Exmouth Gulf.In 2002, when the marina site was no longer available, the Whale Shark Festival was born as a one-day event held in May each year on the town oval.
In 2006, due to popular demand, the event was extended
to three days and now the Ningaloo Whale Shark Festival is
the most successful annual event on the region’s calendar.
A local committee, of interested residents, including
business and family people, has created the program.
EVENT SCHEDULE
7:00pm to 10:00pm
Festival Gala Opening
Venue: Mantarays Poolside . 18+ event ~ Tickets: $110 per adult.
Our NEW LOOK FESTIVAL this year will see Mantarays poolside transformed into a very cool wonderland with creative lighting and LED palm trees.
Includes 5 beverages, an array of delicious food, and world-class entertainment.
This is a plastic free and non smoking event.
7:00pm
Festival Gala Opening
DJ Swami
7:50pm
Festival Gala Opening
Opening Speech
8:00pm
Festival Gala Opening
Gascoyne in May Performance
8:20 to 10:00pm
Festival Gala Opening
DJ Swami
10:00am – 4.30pm FREE EVENT
Talanjee Oval Opens
Food stalls, Corporate stalls, All day activities, Festivities and entertainment in the WHALE SHARK MARQUEE.
THIS IS A SMOKE FREE AND PLASTIC FREE EVENT. THERE WILL BE WATER STATIONS BASED AT THE OVAL SO PLEASE BYO DRINKING CONTAINER.
Seafood Cooking Demos with Special Guest Celebrity Chef ANNA GARE.
Educational talks at the Ningaloo Centre.
Ningaloo Swimwear parade.
Local community displays and performances.
Special Guest Performances by ; The Gascoyne In May troupe featuring Abigail Rose, Katie McKay , James Abberly , Miss Max, Family Shoveller Band, Mama Kin, Eloise Green, Taiko On!, Raymond Edney , HipHop stars Lord Dazastah and Layla Rose Hanbury , Formidable Vegetable Sound System.
12:00pm to 4:00pm
Festival Bar is Open
7:00pm – Midnight
Whale Shark Marquee (Talanjee Oval)
THIS IS AN ALL AGES EVENT.
$55 per ticket for adults, $20 for 13yrs up, Free for under 12 years. Family tickets available.
ALL UNDER 18’S MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT.
7:00pm - 11:30pm
Festival Bar is Open
7:00pm
Whale Shark Marquee
Sweet Orange DJ - mixing the old with the new!
7:45pm
Whale Shark Marquee
Performance By: Ben Catley - Solo performer from Fremantle.
9:00pm
Whale Shark Marquee
Performance By: TommyHawks - One of Perth's best all female indie grunge bands.
10:15pm
Whale Shark Marquee
Performance By: BLUE SHADDY!
7:00am - 4.00pm
BIG DAY OUT on the Ningaloo Reef
Book your Whale Shark Tour with a local operator.
3:00pm to 10:00pm
Exmouth Yatch Club
Gates open for the Festival Sundowner. Supported by Woodside.
Tickets = $20 per adult, kids free and must be accompanied by an adult.
Plastic Free and Non Smoking Event
8.30pm - 10:00pm
Exmouth Yatch Club
ASH GRUNWALD AND BAND
Thank you to these amazing sponsors for supporting our festival.
Interested in becoming a sponsor? Get in touch
BUY A TICKET
$110
Mantaray’s Ningaloo Beach Resort
*NEW LOOK FESTIVAL - SEE THE POOLSIDE TRANSFORMED!*
7.00pm to 10.00pm
Entertainment, an array of delicious finger-food & drinks.
DJ Swami' will play dance tunes for every genre imaginable along with a special performance by Gascoyne in May.
$55
$55 Adults
$110 Family (2A 2C)
$20 Kids under 18
Talanjee Oval
7.00pm to 12.00pm
Entertainment, Bar Available
$20
$20 per Adult (18+)
Kids under 15 - Free with a parent / guardian