Leading Australian contemporary artist Patricia Piccinini’s hyperreal hot air-balloon sculptures Skywhale and Skywhalepapa take flight at Bega Showground.

Skywhales Across Australia offers a unique 90-minute experience to witness the magic of the skywhales at sunrise.

Pack a picnic, grab a coffee or breakfast from a food vendor and feel the anticipation build as the balloons inflate and take flight before your eyes.

A soundscape sets the mood, followed by a special introduction from the visionary artist Patricia Piccinini herself. As the first light of day breaks over the Bega Valley, the skywhales ascend and lift your spirits.

The project centres around care, family and community. The slow inflation of the balloons, with cold air, then hot, allows the sculptures to rise from the ground and come to life. When fully inflated, and with weather permitting, they take to the skies together.

-

Saturday 17 October 2026, sunrise event.

-

Bega Showground

4.30am: Site open to public to view balloon inflation

5.40am: Welcome and Patricia Piccinini address*

6.10am: Skywhale and Skywhalepapa launch (sunrise) - weather permitting

6.30am: Event concludes

This is a free community event.

Registrations are essential for updates and any weather-related changes.

PLEASE NOTE:

Entry is FREE.
On-street parking available.
The skywhales gradually inflate over 90 minutes, reaching their full height and taking off (weather permitting) at sunrise.
The event will conclude by 6.30am.
It may be cold at sunrise, so dress warmly.
Bring a torch as it will be dark early, and a rug and breakfast picnic to enjoy during the pre-launch action.
Food and drink vendors will be onsite selling food and hot drinks.
Although tempting, please do not bring pets to the launch.
A professional photographer and a videographer will be documenting the event. You may appear in some of the images, which may be used by SECCA for marketing and promotional purposes.
No unauthorised drone photography permitted at the event.
Limited accessible parking available. Please ask attendants at entry gate for directions.
Inclement weather may prevent the Skywhales from taking flight, however a tethered launch may be possible. Please check your email for updates on the launch. It’s important to register so you receive these notifications.

_

*Please note: Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, artist Patricia Piccinini's visit to Bega has been rescheduled to 10 October, when she will present the artist talk and children's storytime programs associated with the Skywhales Across Australia tour.

The Skywhales Across Australia launch event will proceed as planned at the Bega Showgrounds on 17 October 2026. While Patricia will no longer be attending the launch event, we look forward to sharing the wonder of Skywhales Across Australia with our community this October. Thank you for your understanding.

_

Associated Public Programs

The Skywhale festivities continue at SECCA and the Bega Library with an artist talk with this internationally acclaimed artist, Patricia Piccinini, and live book reading by the artist for children and their families. Find out more:

Artist talk with Patricia Piccinini at SECCA

Children’s Storytime with Patricia Piccinini at Bega Library

Image: Patricia Piccinini, Skywhalepapa, 2020 and Skywhale, 2013, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, © Patricia Piccinini.

Skywhales Across Australia is a National Gallery Touring Event hosted by the South East Centre for Contemporary Art (SECCA).

Skywhales is the third instalment of The Balnaves Contemporary Series and is a Know My Name project.

Contact the host of Skywhales Across Australia - Bega