Warrnambool

Travel Guide

Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village showing a lighthouse, signage and a bay or harbor
Warrnambool which includes rocky coastline
Warrnambool featuring rocky coastline
Warrnambool which includes a bay or harbor, a sunset and rocky coastline
Warrnambool which includes signage, heritage architecture and street scenes

Discover the captivating coastline that fronts this historic town, where the pretty shores of the Southern Ocean shelter a whale nursery and old shipwrecks.

Warrnambool is a city with plenty of heritage charm on Victoria’s southwest coast. Stroll around the historic city center or make your way down to the main beach for a swim. Check out the platform that presents sweeping views of the coast and spot whales during the calving season. Learn about the city’s rich maritime heritage at a recreated 19th-century port and relax amid the greenery of the city’s parks and gardens.

A short walking tour around Warrnambool’s city center will reveal the city’s collection of preserved 19th-century buildings. Check out the Post Office and the Courthouse or stroll along the grand promenade beneath the shade of tall Norfolk pines.

If the sun is shining, make your way to the patrolled waters of Bathing Beach at the top of Lady Bay. Play in the shallows or relax on the sands. Behind the beach is the Lake Pertobe Adventure Park, which has plenty of activities for a day of fun, with playgrounds, gym equipment and a lake crisscrossed by footbridges. Take out a paddleboat or grill some lunch at the park’s barbecues. The western side of Lady Bay is popular for fishing and the breakwater beside the mouth of the Merri River provides more sheltered swimming areas.

Nearby Logans Beach is situated at the mouth of the Hopkins River and a whale-watching hot spot. Visit the observation deck between June and November for the best chance of seeing southern right whales and their calves. Pack a picnic and head to the pretty Botanic Gardens, featuring a large lily pond, a fernery and a heritage rotunda.

Find out about the vessels that met their fate on the famed Shipwreck Coast when you visit Flagstaff Hill Maritime VillageOpens in a new window. Ask staff at the village about viewing times for the Shipwrecked! sound and laser show that tells of the Loch Ard shipwreck of 1878.

Venture out to Tower Hill to see kangaroos, emus and koalas, as well as learn about the local indigenous cultural heritage of the region.

Warrnambool is a 3-hour drive west from MelbourneOpens in a new window. The city is also accessible via the city’s regional train network. Summer beach fun and winter wildlife spotting make Warrnambool a year-round attraction.

Deep Blue Hotel & Hot Springs

Deep Blue Hotel & Hot Springs

4.5 out of 5
Worm Bay Road, Warrnambool, VIC
The price is ¥15,801 per night from Oct 19 to Oct 20
¥15,801
¥17,482 total
Oct 19 - Oct 20
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Warrnambool. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and hot springs on site. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,010 reviews)
Good position for walking and swimming
"We have stayed here a few times, hotel is a short walk for swimming at the beach and a number of walking tracks, which is what we go there to do. We find it is probably only 20 min walk up to main part of town for a choice of eating places as well. Hotel clean tidy and comfortable with excellent ..."

Reviewed on Oct 11, 2025

Deep Blue Hotel & Hot Springs
Innova Motel Warrnambool

Innova Motel Warrnambool

3 out of 5
620 Raglan Parade, Warrnambool, VIC
The price is ¥10,882 per night from Oct 19 to Oct 20
¥10,882
¥12,021 total
Oct 19 - Oct 20
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star motel in Warrnambool. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Warrnambool Shopping Centre and Warrnambool ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (133 reviews)
"Nice and tidy Easy access to city, can walk most places Definitely stay again Staff excellent"

Reviewed on Oct 7, 2025

Innova Motel Warrnambool
Mid City Warrnambool

Mid City Warrnambool

4 out of 5
525 Raglan Parade, Warrnambool, VIC
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ¥10,008 per night from Oct 31 to Nov 1
¥10,008
¥11,061 total
Oct 31 - Nov 1
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star motel in Warrnambool. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,004 reviews)
"Check-in instructions unusual to the usual hotels we travelled in. Otherwise, nothing to complain about. They offer Netflix in the room, which is just amazing! Saves the trouble of having to link and setup my own account to watch on screen. The bed is great too. Soft but firm. Overall pleasant ..."

Reviewed on Oct 11, 2025

Mid City Warrnambool
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Quest Warrnambool

Quest Warrnambool

4.5 out of 5
15-19 Liebig Street, Warrnambool, VIC
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Warrnambool. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (782 reviews)
"An easy walk to the RSL which have great meals and staff"

Reviewed on Oct 7, 2025

Quest Warrnambool
Apartments 521

Apartments 521

3 out of 5
521 Raglan Parade, Warrnambool, VIC
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Warrnambool. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Warrnambool Shopping Centre and Warrnambool ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (162 reviews)
"Centre of city walkable distance to shops . The ground floor is a small living space with small set up of kitchen also a small toilet .. The upstair room is spacious with attached main bathroom facility. The atmosphere is good and you can communicate with the staff via phone anytime."

Reviewed on Oct 14, 2025

Apartments 521
Surfside Holiday Park

Surfside Holiday Park

4 out of 5
120 Pertobe Road, Warrnambool, VIC
Stay at this 4-star beach campground in Warrnambool. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Lake Pertobe Adventure Playground and Warrnambool ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (239 reviews)
"Convenient and close to where we wanted to go. Definitely will be staying here in the future."

Reviewed on Sep 28, 2025

Surfside Holiday Park
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Warrnambool

4.1
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
5
5 - Excellent 36%
4 - Good
6
4 - Good 43%
3 - Okay
3
3 - Okay 21%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

This town is very nice over all.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Lots to do, beautiful beaches.

5/5 - Excellent

Tamara

2nd visit to Warrnambool and looking forward to our next. Gorgeous place to visit. Lake Pertobe adventure park is great for kids - playgrounds, maze, boat rides, BBQ/picnic areas and a flying fox!