Your guide to one of the Great Ocean Road’s coastal wonders

Sitting at the tail end of the Great Ocean Road, Warrnambool is a city of diverse attractions, from heart-stealing ocean beauty to ancient culture and urban excitement.

Flanked on one side by the deep hues of the Southern Ocean and by rolling meadows on the other, this Warrnambool guide shows a place where history is embedded in the cliffs and life plays out with a lively, coastal tempo. This south-west Victorian gem is a must-stay for Great Ocean Road adventures, captivating visitors with its stunning beaches, First Nations heritage and vibrant, modern heart.

The coastal beauty of Warrnambool is heard to beat.

Warrnambool restaurants and cafes

Warrnambool might be a smaller town, but it packs a huge punch in the dining scene. From classic fish and chips by the ocean to elevated dining options, or after-dark bars; the only problem is finding time to try them all.

1. Pavilion Cafe & Bar

Be seated at Pavilion Cafe & Bar for unrivalled views of shimmering Lady Bay, the Southern Ocean and Middle Island beyond. Set in a bright, light and architecturally designed building, come any day of the week for breakfast, lunch or cocktails and to sink into the mesmerising blue horizon. The menu of café-style classics features a collection of regional producers and has a paddock-to-plate ethos.

Be seated at Pavilion Cafe & Bar.

2. Cheeseworld

Any weekday, cheese lovers can settle in at Cheeseworld for an all-day brunch to warm winter chills with bites such as the popular three-cheese toastie or the pecorino and raclette omelette. You can also build your own cheeseboard or book a high-cheese gourmet lunch experience. Of course, there’s plenty of cheese to take home with you, too.

3. Proudfoots by the River

The elegant Proudfoots by the River is a heritage restaurant housed in a former boathouse, See it mirrored in the beautifully calm waters of the Hopkins River. Built in 1885 by Thomas Proudfoot, the picturesque dining room is filled with charm and is a delightful spot for lunch or dinner. Enjoy a seafood-heavy menu curated with seasonal ingredients that may include freshly caught fish, bouillabaisse or other classic dishes such as beef brisket and steak.

Dine by the calm waters of the Hopkins River.

4. Frolic Lane

When aperitivo hour comes around, head to city establishment, Frolic Lane, for well-tended libations. Sidle up to the beautiful polished timber bar in this character-filled watering hole with speakeasy vibes and order a cocktail from the extensive list, or enjoy a cold beer or glass of vino. Should you feel like settling in for a longer frolic, there’s pizza, charcuterie and other provisions to keep you on an even keel.

Head to Frolic Lane for aperitivo hour.

Exploring nature

As you would expect, this Great Ocean Road town does not disappoint in its natural offerings.

1. Winter whale watching

Winter in Warrnambool means one thing, whales. From May to October, these majestic marine mammals embark upon their annual migration from the Antarctic to give birth and raise their calves in warmer waters.

While there are many vantage points along the Great Ocean Road to spot the playful antics of mother and child, the gentle waters of Logan’s Beach serve as the perfect nursery for the Southern Right whales to tend their young. Download the Whale Trail map and grab your binoculars to begin your watch.

Spot Southern Right whales as they tend their young.

2. Tower Hill

Nestled within the 11-kilometre crater rim of a long-dormant volcano, accessible by car and just ten minutes from Warrnambool, Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve is a tranquil and beautiful pocket of the Australian bush, where visitors can spot native animals such as emus, koalas, kangaroos and echidnas in their natural habitat.

Take the 90-minute guided interactive walk at Indigenous-operated Worn Gundidj and learn about the history, flora and fauna of this spectacular caldera.

Take the 90-minute guided interactive walk at Tower Hill.

3. Moyjil/Point Ritchie

The Peek Whurrong people of the Eastern Maar Nation have always known and respected the beauty and abundance of this breathtakingly beautiful headland at the mouth of the Hopkins River. A site of great cultural significance, Peek Whurrong’s ongoing connection here can be traced back as far as a staggering 60,000 years, as evidenced by ancient shell middens.

Today, it’s easy to see why this spot has always drawn people to the water’s edge, with shimmering waves, sandy-coloured sculptural rocks and coastal grasses catching the breeze. Splash about in the rockpools and take the coastal walk to absorb this enchanting place.

4. Deep Blue Hot Springs

Enjoy a bit of geothermal relaxation and slip into the mineral-rich water at Deep Blue Hot Springs. An antidote to winter’s icy grip, a visit here is a truly immersive way to unwind and offers a soothing finale to a day of windswept beach-walking.

Gathered from 850 metres below ground, the water temperature sits between a delightful 35 to 42 degrees. There are a handful of therapeutic pools to relax in, with sessions open both day and night.

Enjoy a bit of geothermal relaxation.

5. Middle Island

Middle Island, which sits just adrift from the Warrnambool foreshore, is home to an adorable colony of Little Penguins. Sadly by 2006, due to the island’s close proximity to the mainland, foxes had begun to make their way over to the island at low tide and very few penguins remained.

Happily, a clever idea led to the installation of famously protective Maremma guard dogs on the island. Today, the penguin population has soared. Each summer, visitors can meet these pawed penguin pals on a ‘Meet the Maremma Tour’ and learn about the Penguin Protection Project.

See the famously protective Maremma guard dogs.

Warrnambool’s local culture

Modern and ancient culture abounds in Warrnambool – from fascinating tales of shipwrecks to UNESCO World Heritage-listed cultural landscapes.

1. Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum

Built around the 1858 heritage Warrnambool Lighthouse, the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village is a must-visit on any Great Ocean Road itinerary.

Here you’ll discover the fascinating stories of The Shipwreck Coast, which stretched from Moonlight Head to Port Fairy and claimed around 400 vessels. Today, the village holds a large collection of maritime memorabilia and entertains by day with tours and by night with a sound and light show ‘Tales of the Shipwreck Coast’.

2. Budj Bim Cultural Landscape

Warrnambool is the gateway to the richly layered UNESCO World Heritage-listed Budj Bim Cultural Landscape, which encompasses the serene beauty of Tae Rak and Tyrendarra.

A place of deep, universal heritage, it’s within Budj Bim that the Gunditjmara people have lived for more than 30,000 years, developing one of the world’s most extensive and oldest aquaculture systems to trap the kooyang (eel). Learn all about this vast history at the Tae Rak Aquaculture Centre, where you can taste eel at the Bush Tucker Cafe set in the architecturally designed state-of-the-art facility.

Unravel the ancient importance of Budj Bim on a guided walk through the landscape as part of the Indigenous Cultural Trail to hear about customs, culture and the land.

Take a guided walk through Budj Bim.

3. Live music and entertainment

Warrnambool is proliferated with entertainment offerings, from the fabulous Warrnambool Art Gallery (AKA The Wag) to street art, theatre and a toe-tapping live music scene. Discover the latter at one of the many venues around town that champion local artists and live jams. You’ll find musicians plugging in and strumming on at venues, such as The Cally, The Hotel Warrnambool and The Whalers Hotel, among many others.

Listen to live music at The Hotel Warrnambool.

Warrnambool accommodation

From seaside luxury to heritage lodgings, Warrnambool has something for everyone.

1. Deep Blue Hotel

If you can’t get enough of those restorative thermal waters, book yourself a stay at the Deep Blue Hotel, where you can enjoy not only the hot springs, but onsite spa and bathhouse.

Book a stay at Deep Blue Hotel.

2. Lady Bay Resort

Set yourself up directly across from the beach and just 1.5 kilometres from the centre of town at Lady Bay Resort – a self-contained, apartment-style hotel.

3. Flagstaff Hill Lighthouse Lodge

The original Warrnambool harbour masters house, this sweet, three-bedroom heritage cottage has a full kitchen and outdoor entertainment area. It’s complete with a fire pit for those chilly evenings. Flagstaff Hill Lighthouse Lodge is also conveniently right behind Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, which is ideal for the nighttime sound and light show.

Stay in the heritage Flagstaff Hill Lighthouse Lodge.

Day trips from Warrnambool

Whether you’re on the hunt for whales, good food, history or Instagrammable scenery, you’ll find it all within reach of Warrnambool. Base yourself in town then plump up your itinerary with a day trip or two to uncover the many gems of the Great Ocean Road region.

Food fiends will relish the 12 Apostles Gourmet Food Artisans Trail Tour; hit the Great Ocean Road for those large-format seascapes; follow the Whale Trail to glimpse those tell-tale tails; and choose an Indigenous cultural tour to deep-dive into the history of Gunditjmara Country.

Hit the Great Ocean Road. (Image: Visit Victoria)

There’s much more to discover at visitwarrnambool.com.au.