STARS of all kinds will head to Exmouth next month for the Ningaloo Whale Shark Festival.
Celebrity chefs and music legends will mix it with the event’s main attraction, the whale sharks, from May 25-27.
Junior Masterchef judge Anna Gare, musician Ash Grunwald and local band Blue Shaddy will attend the three-day event in and around Exmouth, which highlights the community’s relationship with the annual return of these gentle giants.
The festivities kick off with a gala opening at Mantarays Ningaloo Reef, which will take on a tropical look on the Friday night. The cocktail event, with DJ and live entertainment, is $110 per adult.
On Saturday, the action takes place around the huge whale shark marquee at Talanjee Oval from 10am, with live entertainment, a market and food stalls.
As well as food demonstrations, you can see the energetic Gascoyne In May troupe.
In the evening, Blue Shaddy will have young and old stomping their feet to the group’s high-energy powerhouse blues.
Sunday’s Big Day Out on Ningaloo Reef is where the stars of the show shine.
Whale shark tours will be discounted and there will be free entry to Cape Range National Park.
Bluesman Ash Grunwald will hit Town Beach at Sunday’s festival sundowner, starting at 3pm.
In the afternoon, beach activities will include Dig For Cash and a tug of war. Evening entertainment from female foursome The Tommyhawks and Gascoyne In May will see out the festival.
Getting there...
Exmouth is just over 1245 km north of Perth. Qantas flies Perth to Exmouth twice a day.
If you have a little longer to spare, why not drive and make a holiday out of it? There are plenty of places to camp and things to see along the way.