Almost 2,000 spectators gathered on 7 June 2025 to witness the debut of Tallo Billa, a groundbreaking light and sound show that launched the Sunshine Coast whale season.
Held at Mooloolaba Beach, the event combined humpback whale songs recorded off the coast with stunning digital projections and Indigenous storytelling.
The name Tallo Billa means ‘humpback whale’ in the local Kabi Kabi language. Conceived by Kabi Kabi artist Lyndon Davis, the project was created in collaboration with sound artist Dr Leah Barclay and photographer Dr Tricia King from the University of the Sunshine Coast. It fused traditional knowledge with cutting-edge technology to translate whale song into visual art projected onto the beach sands.
Indigenous culture meets scientific innovation
The night opened with a First Nations performance by Davis, whose didgeridoo playing and storytelling created a powerful cultural experience. The whale calls used in the show were captured by Dr Barclay from migrating humpback whales aboard Sunreef’s Whale One vessel.
The Sunshine Coast is a key waypoint in the whales’ annual migration, with up to 40,000 humpbacks expected to travel past between May and November. Many stop in the region to rest, socialise and give birth.
Dr Barclay, a globally recognised sound artist, is known for immersive audio-visual works and augmented reality installations presented at landmarks such as Times Square and the Eiffel Tower.
New whale experiences announced for 2025
Tourism operators on the Sunshine Coast are launching several new experiences to coincide with the 2025 whale season:
- Tallo Billa: Deep Listening at Dusk – Operated by Sunreef on 24 August, and 21 and 28 September, these small-group cruises depart from The Wharf Mooloolaba. They feature live-mixed whale song through hydrophones by Dr Barclay, accompanied by storytelling and didgeridoo from Davis.
- Tallo Billa at Mudjimba Island – On 13 September, guests aboard Whale One will enjoy whale watching at dusk before heading to Mudjimba Island for a unique performance of whale songs, First Nations stories and cymatic projections onto the island’s rock face.
- Whale Weeks by The Pressure Project – These immersive, week-long retreats include guided daily swims with whales, breathwork, meditation, ocean education, photography talks and even ice baths – designed for a full-body, mind and spirit connection to the ocean.
In addition to these signature events, a range of whale watching and swim-with-whale tours are running throughout the season until October. Operators include Sunreef, Epic Ocean Adventures, Cavalier Cruises, Adventure Rafting Mooloolaba and Noosa Thriller Ocean Adventures.
