Every year, in the winter months of June to October, whales – in particular, Humpback whales –migrate 10,000km from Antarctica to Tropical North Queensland and back. The Whitsundays is a birthing ground for the whales due to the warm and protected waters at the hub of the Great Barrier Reef.
Following the tremendous success of the inaugural event in 2023, and to stamp the beginning of whale season, The Whitsunday Regional Council and Yooribaya Cultural Experiences are hosting another NAIDOC whale welcome evening.
The event is sacred to Indigenous people, who hold a deep and cultural connection to the whales and are the Traditional Owners of The Whitsundays. The Traditional Owners kindly allow The Whitsundays community to participate in their formal welcoming of the whales and traditional practices.
The jam-packed evening will be full of cultural celebrations and community spirit. The evening will begin with a heartfelt welcome to Country, followed by a powerful Smoking Ceremony and mesmerising traditional dance and songs.
The event includes Ochre painting, the opportunity to taste authentic damper and also the chance to engage in a variety of free workshops and community artwork projects. There will also be a vibrant array of market stalls and food and drink vans to browse.
Later in the evening, there will be a movie screening of “Whale Nation”, followed by the beloved musical comedy-drama film “The Sapphires”.
Event organisers encourage all to join them in the traditional celebration. Head on down and welcome the whales with the community. The event has no entry fee’s.
What: Whales Welcome Night
When: 5th July 2024, 17:00pm
Where: Airlie Beach Foreshore
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