Warrnambool is located at the end (or beginning) of the Great Ocean Road, Victoria. But it is also located on one of Australia’s wildest coastlines, the Shipwreck Coast which is found along the Great Ocean Road. It runs from the section of the coastline from Cape Otway to Port Fairy, some 130 Km (80 miles). It is aptly named for the 700 or so shipwrecks that occurred along this coastline. And the coastline here can be as wild as the weather. With cliff faces and bays carved from wild wind and waves from the Southern Ocean. 

The biggest draw cards to the Shipwreck Coast are the natural wonders of the Twelve Apostles and Loch Are Gorge. But there is so much more than natural wonders along the Shipwreck Coast to discover. There are many towns and even a city. Yep, Warrnambool is the largest city along this stretch of coast.

If you are planning a trip along the Shipwreck Coast on the Great Ocean Road as part of your big lap of Australia, as a road trip on its own while discovering Victoria, definitely budget a couple of days (or more) to spend in Warrnambool. There is plenty to see and do in Warrnambool for young and old. From museums, an adventure playground, spectacular beaches, whale watching, street art plus, learning more about the shipwrecks that occurred along the coastline. Are you ready to discover the best Warrnambool attractions? Let’s start!

A Little History of Warrnambool First

To understand why Warrnambool is a wild place to visit you need to know a little of Warrnambool’s history.

The Warrnambool area was originally inhabited for tens of thousands of years by the Peek Whurrong people. European exploration began in the early 19th century, followed by pastoral settlement and the establishment of the town in 1847.

Warrnambool was primarily founded around its natural harbour, Lady Bay. The harbour became a crucial port where agricultural products like wool, wheat and potatoes from the surrounding hinterland were exported to Melbourne and beyond. The town’s development was spurred on because of its strategic location for not only transporting products but also passenger traffic on ships. This saw Warrnambool become a hub for seafaring vessels particularly with the Victorian Gold Rush in the 1850s in Bendigo and Ballarat spurring on its growth. 

Unfortunately, as ships headed to and from and past Warrnambool, they sometimes encountered the wild Southern Ocean causing many of them to sink. Hence the name Shipwreck Coast. Wild! Right! Today, Warrnambool has grown to be a vibrant town definitely worth a visit.

Best Things See and Do in Warrnambool

If wondering what to see and do in Warrnambool, well, there are a number of must visit places, with most starting their visit at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum.

1. Flagstaff Maritime Museum

Probably the biggest tourist attraction to Warrnambool is Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum. If you have just driven the Great Ocean Road, you would have discovered Loch Ard Gorge and heard about a ‘peacock’. Well you can see the peacock here in the museum. If like me, you will spend a while gazing at the sunning Loch Ard Peacock. This statue is a highlight of the museum and is valued at around AUD4 million. It is Australia’s most valuable shipwreck artefact.

Also in the museum hear the stories of the crewmen and passengers whose lives were claimed by the Shipwreck Coast. Particularly the shipwreck of the Loch Ard and its two survivors 19 year old Tom Pearce and Eva Carmichael. And as well as the peacock there is a fascinating collection of salvaged artefacts to see. 

After discovering the shipwrecks in the museum head outside and walk around the village. It is a recreated fishing village complete with cobbled streets and some 40 restored period buildings to discover. Including a school, blacksmith’s workshop, a dressmakers, a bar and even a couple of lighthouses. My kids loved visiting the different shops. The village reminded me a lot of Sovereign Hill, the recreated gold mining town in Ballarat.

If wondering why it is called Flagstaff Hill well, this is where the first flagstaff was erected  in the 1840s to signal the arrival of ships to the port. 

You can find the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum at 89 Merri Street, Warrnambool. It is open 7 days from 10am – 5pm.

shops in Maritime Museum Village with lighthouse and view over Southern Ocean

2. Cannon Hill Lookout

Not far from Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum, I mean, an easy walk is the Cannon Hill Lookout. Named for the military hardware installed there in the mid-1800s in preparation for a Russian invasion, today you can visit the cannons from the First and Second World Wars on display. You can also walk over to see Warrnambool’s infamous ‘Dirty Angel’ statue, named due to its unfortunate silhouette when viewed from the side.  Cover the kids eye’s here! You could even pop into the Warrnambool RSL for a meal if feeling hungry. But it is the panoramic views across Lake Pertobe, Warrnambool Beach and the Southern Ocean that you visit Cannon Hill Lookout for. And, the view did not disappoint.

3. Walk the Warrnambool Heritage Trail + Warrnambool Street Art Trail

From Cannon Hill Lookout you can easily walk down Liebig Street, the main street of Warrnambool into the city centre. The best way to discover this part of Warrnambool and its history is to walk the 3km Warrnambool Heritage Trail. See Warrnambool’s most famous and attractive old buildings. Like the Commercial Hotel, dating from 1856 and now called the Whalers Hotel. 

As well as checking out the buildings, go into the streets off Leibig Street and see some of Warrnambool’s Street Art. You can pick up a map of both these trails at the information centre at Flagstaff Hill. I really enjoyed seeing the street. I thought it was better than the Melbourne Street Art and wet my appetite to see the silo art trail – which I did.

Street Art

buildings on Heritage Trail

4. Get wild at Lake Pertobe Adventure Park

This 8ha adventure park has been designed as a recreation precinct and offers a variety of activities for all ages. The park features three lakes and you can hire a paddleboat and cruise around them. There are multiple playgrounds with giant slides, flying foxes, mini golf, an impressive maze and all linked by lakeside walking tracks. And there are plenty of well-resourced picnic areas and sheltered barbecue facilities to enjoy. If visiting Warrnambool with kids with energy to burn, they will love visiting Lake Pertobe Adventure Park.

Find Lake Pertobe at 47-107 Pertobe Road. It is free to enter though you will need to pay to do some of the activities like the paddleboat.

Lake Pertobe 

5. See Whales at Logans Beach Whale Watching Platform

After visiting Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum the second best thing, or some would say the best thing to see and do in Warrnambool is to visit Logans Beach Whale Watching Platform. Yep, Warrnambool is a great place to see whales up close. Very similar to seeing the Humpback Whales on the Humpback Highway in Sydney and Hervey Bay. The best time to see whales in Warrnambool is during the winter months, from June to September. This is when the Southern Right whales return to the area to calve. And mothers and calves specifically come close to the shore at Logans Beach, as close as 100m. It is such a popular place to see whales that a specific whale watching platform has been built so you can see the whales in the wild ocean. And if you don’t see whales, there are usually plenty of surfers you can watch surfing the waves. This part of the coastline is wild and you can sit at the platform for ages.

great views at Logan’s Beach Whale Watching Platform

6. Stroll the Foreshore Promenade

The long, shining curve of Lady Bay defines Warrnambool’s waterfront. The bay was an important trading port as you will have learnt at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum. And there were about a dozen ships wrecked while trying to enter the harbour adding to the number of ships wrecked on this stretch of the Shipwreck Coast. Today, Lady Bay is devoted to recreational activities such as swimming, surfing, diving, snorkelling and fishing. A well-surfaced 6km promenade hugs the shoreline and is perfect for a scenic stroll. Or an energetic stroll if you prefer and is a great way for kids visiting Warrnambool to run off some energy.

Stretching from Logans Beach to the Warrnambool Breakwater to Thunder Point, there are plenty of places to stop along the foreshore. Perhaps a swim at the beach is on the cards. Maybe catch dinner while fishing at the breakwater. If the weather is good, enjoy a sunset by the water. 

There are a number of scenic lookouts for great views along the coastline and over the Southern Ocean. Great views taking in the small islands of Merri Island and Middle Island, home to the Little Penguins can be had from Thunder Point. From here you can wander down to where Stingray Bay meets the mouth of the Merri River. Have you heard the story of the Moremmas? Well, two Maremma dogs sit upright in the long grass protecting the penguins from foxes on Middle Island. Meeting them on a tour is one of the popular things to do in Warrnambool. The film Oddball was based on the true tale of the Maremma Penguin Project on this tiny island off the coast of Warrnambool. 

looking to Middle Island from the Breakwater

7. Other Things to See and Do in Warrnambool

Other things you might like to see and do in Warrnambool include:

• Art lovers might want to visit the Warrnambool Art Gallery (WAG) to see some of its artworks. It was established in 1886 and said to be one of the oldest in the country. There is a diverse collection of artworks, highlights include both historical and modern depictions of nearby landmarks such as Loch Ard Gorge and Tower Hill. Warrnambool Art Gallery is located at 26 Liebig Street and is open Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm and Saturday and Sunday 10am to 3pm. Entry is free.
• You could turn up a treasure at the Fletcher Jones Market. Once upon a time, Warrnambool was home to one of Australia’s largest clothing manufacturers – Fletcher Jones. Its factory was a major employer in Warrnambool but sadly this iconic Australian clothing brand closed its factory in 2005. But, has since been reimagined as an antiques market where you can trawl through the complex of shops and stalls and maybe pick up a bargain. Find Fletcher Jones Market at 61-77 Flaxman Street. It’s open 7 days from 10am to 5pm with free entry.
• Stroll around Warrnambool Botanic Gardens amongst the English park-like lush grass and trees. See the Lilly pond with its resident ducks, stone bridge and classic garden features. Find the gardens at Cnr Queens Road and Botanic Road. Entry is free.
• View Wollaston Bridge over the Merri River in Warrnambool to check out its white and red pillars. One of the many free Warrnambool attractions.
• Indulge in a visit to Cheese World located in Allansford, a ten minute drive away. Run by the Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory, sample the wares at the cellar-door before stocking up on your favourites. Perhaps enjoy a cheese platter or plowman’s lunch or one of their famous milkshakes. See a collection of farm machinery, household items and mementos at the Cheese World Museum reflecting life from the early 1900s. Allansford Cheese World is found at 5330 Great Ocean Road, Allansford. It’s only open weekdays (not weekends) 10am to 3pm and is another free thing to do when visiting Warrnambool.
• Go on a day trip to Port Fairy. A mere 20 minutes further along the Princes Highway you will reach this charming town. See plenty of lovely stone cottages dating from the 1800s, browse boutiques and enjoy some fresh seafood at this old fishing village after watching fishing boatsuhload their catches. Look out for passing whales during the winter months. Or if visiting Port Fairy in March don’t miss the four-day Port Fairy Folk Festival. If like bike riding, hire a bike and ride the Warrnambool to Port Fairy Rail Trail.

enjoy a milkshake at the Cheese Factory

Warrnambool Itineraries

Here’s some itineraries of Warrnambool to help you discover Warrnambool as you discover Victoria now.

1 Day Warrnambool Itinerary

Here’s a suggestion how to spend 1 day in Warrnambool

Morning – tour the Flagstaff Maritime Museum and Village
Lunch – at the Flagstaff Museum Coffee Shop
Afternoon – walk off lunch via Cannon Hill Lookout and along Liebig Street on the Heritage and Street Art Trails and continue to the Warrnambool Botanic Gardens
Evening – end the day at one of the pubs or restaurants along Liebig Street

2 Day Warrnambool Itinerary

If you have 2 days to spend in Warrnambool, follow my 1 day Warrnambool itinerary suggestion and on day 2:

Morning – head to Logan Beach for some whale watching
Afternoon – walk along the foreshore, swim at Warrnambool Beach if the weather is nice and walk to the Breakwater for great views over Middle and Merri Islands, the Southern Ocean and back to Logan Beach. If you have your fishing rod with you, the Breakwater is a popular spot for fishing.
Late Afternoon and Evening – enjoy Lake Pertobe with a walk on the walking track. Let the kids run off their energy in the adventure playground and maybe end the day with BBQ dinner.

3 Day Warrnambool Itinerary

If you have 3 days to spend in Warrnambool or more, follow my 2 day Warrnambool itinerary suggestion and on day 3 go on a day trip. Options include:

• Port Fairy
• The Cheese Factory in Allansford
• Tower Hill an inactive volcano near Koroit a small charming town with a rich Irish heritage
• Hopkins Falls, a waterfall in Cudgee

Plan Your Visit to Warrnambool

Now you know what to see and do in Warrnambool, it is time to plan your visit.

Where is Warrnambool and How to Get there?

Warrnambool is 257km south-west of Melbourne and takes around 3-5 hours or so to reach by car but this depends on the route chosen to get there. Travelling inland along the Princes Highway will take some 3 hours to drive. If you decide to get there via the Great Ocean Road, this can take 5 or so hours without any stops. If coming from the other direction it can take about 6.5 hours to drive from Adelaide and a couple of hours from The Grampians.

You can also get to Warrnambool via V/Line train taking around 3 hours.  Check out the V/Line website for tickets and timetables. And there is a bus service three times a week from Geelong.

When is the Best Time to Visit Warrnambool?

Anytime is a good time to visit Warrnambool. However, if you would like to see the whales migrating, the winter months of July to September are you best option. But it is up to you when you visit. Warrnambool isn’t going anywhere.

How long should you Visit Warrnambool for?

Definitely visit Warrnambool for 1-2 days which will give you enough time to see the major things Warrnambool is known for. There is still plenty to do if you stay longer, but you will need a car as you will be travelling to the local towns to really appreciate what the Warrnambool area has to offer.

Where to Stay in Warrnambool?

Warrnambool has a variety of accommodation available, with plenty of places in the CBD and surrounds. From camping grounds and caravan parks with one right next to Lake Pertobe. To budge hotels/motels to five star resorts. So whether you are a solo traveller, with friends or in a couple or travelling with family to Warrnambool with kids towing a caravan, there is a place to stay in Warrnambool for you. The closer you are to the centre of town, the easier it is to walk to the major sights. For accommodation options check out Booking.com – it’s my go to site where I book all my accommodation.

Are You Ready to Visit Warrnambool?

I hope you are ready to visit Warrnambool as you explore Victoria. If you have any questions about your visit or have visited already, i would love to hear in the comments following.

Other Places to Discover Victoria Now as you Discover Australia Now

Drive the Great Southern Touring Route
Visit the Grampians
Visit the Goldfields – Bendigo and Ballarat