Warrnambool is a captivating coastal town on the Great Ocean Road, blessed with an enticing promenade overlooking the Southern Ocean. Ancient maritime history abounds in Warrnambool, where you’ll also discover spectacular surf beaches, renowned restaurants and breweries and one of Victoria’s best spots for whale watching.

Things to do

Nature lovers have a wealth of reserves and sanctuaries to choose from, such as Thunder Point Coastal Reserve, where rugged rocky outcrops meet crashing waves. The nearby Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve offers self-guided walks that reveal rich Aboriginal heritage, along with wallabies, kangaroos, echidnas and turtles. Head to Merri Marine Sanctuary to witness a deep canyon filled with marine creatures, including sharks, parrotfish and giant cuttlefish.

Discover local culture and artists at Warrnambool Art Gallery in the centre of town. It’s home to over 2,000 pieces of art, including Indigenous artefacts and Australian and European paintings. You can learn more about the fascinating history of the Shipwreck Coast at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, where a 19th-century shipwreck and historic lighthouses transport you back in time.

If you’re visiting Warrnambool between June and October, head to Logans Beach for stunning views of whales passing the coastline only 100 metres away. Granny’s Grave beach is a popular spot for families, thanks to its playground and scenic lookouts, while the Breakwater Rock Pier offers waterfront dining at Pavilion Cafe & Bar and uninterrupted Warrnambool Bay vistas.

Are you visiting with your family? Stop by Lake Pertobe Adventure Park, which has a maze, flying foxes and large playgrounds. Just down the road is Mini Golf by The Sea, where you can take on 18 challenging mini-golf holes.

Getting around

Warrnambool is a popular stop on the Great Ocean Road and is a three-hour drive straight from Melbourne. You can also fly there from Essendon Airport or catch the train to Warrnambool station. Local buses and taxis service Warrnambool’s town centre and suburbs.