Ningaloo festival celebrates world's biggest fish

Western Australia's extraordinary Ningaloo Reef will play host to three days of discovery, adventure and family fun at the Ningaloo Whale Shark Festival this weekend.

  • About 2,000 people expected to attend festival
  • Supported by Eventscorp's Regional Events Scheme, jointly funded through Royalties for Regions

Western Australia's extraordinary Ningaloo Reef will play host to three days of discovery, adventure and family fun at the Ningaloo Whale Shark Festival this weekend.


Tourism Minister Kim Hames said the world heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef was one of the few places in the world where people could swim with whale sharks.


"Each year between April and June these gentle giants gather around the reef, after the annual coral spawn, to feed," Dr Hames said.


"The Ningaloo Whale Shark Festival celebrates this extraordinary experience we share with the world's largest fish and is Australia's only event in honour of these gentle giants.


"The festival will have exhibitions, market stalls and live music, and also raises awareness of whale shark conservation by showcasing important research and educating our students through school-based activities."


Dr Hames said events like the Ningaloo Whale Shark Festival were a key part of community life for people living in, and visiting, regional WA.


"The State Government is a proud sponsor of the Ningaloo Whale Shark Festival through the Regional Events Scheme, which is jointly funded by Royalties for Regions," he said.


Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls said the State Government was proud of its significant $40million over four years commitment to regional events.


"With this funding boost from Royalties for Regions, a huge variety of events that are engaging and exciting local communities are happening all across this great State," Mr Grylls said.


"This event is particularly exciting as it allows the Gascoyne community to celebrate something that is unique to them and provides an opportunity to showcase the region to visitors.


"Local businesses are bolstered by having more visitors, new vibrancy is brought to towns and the community has a reason to come together thanks to these sorts of events."


      Fact File

Tourism Minister's office - 6552 5300