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Warrnambool

Few places can boast such a beautiful location as Warrnambool. Nestled into the rising contour of the coast amid green dairying countryside, the city overlooks the deep blue of the powerful Southern Ocean.

As the only city on the rugged Shipwreck Coast, it is not surprising that Warrnambool has had a long and colourful history. Today it showcases that past in many exciting ways, enjoying a reputation as an excellent holiday spot.

It is also in the spotlight as Victoria's Southern Right Whale Nursery - the whales make a return appearance to nearby Logan's Beach every May to October. Fairy penguins can also be seen on Middle Island, a short walk from the port breakwater.

The city has a thriving arts and events scene, excellent restaurants serving the best of the freshest local produce and a relaxed cafZ?ã¬á culture, most evident at the 'bottom end' of Liebig Street.

Located on the wide sweep of Lady Bay, the city also has marvellous beaches on its doorstep and these attract the crowds during warmer months.

Even in the cooler parts of the year, the beach is a great place to stroll with interesting coastal features around the mouths of the Merri and Hopkins rivers - Pickering Point, Thunder Point and Point Ritchie - to explore. There are also numerous coastal reserves and walking tracks with secluded beaches and rocky points, penguin colonies, and some good places for fishing and bird watching. A few kilometres west of town is Tower Hill State Game Reserve, an ancient volcanic crater complete with lake and lava tongue. On the walking tracks here you'll discover a unique microcosm of botany and wildlife.

In the Directory

• Accommodation [1]

Photos

Flagstaff - Photo courtesy of Tourism VIC

Underwater Recommendations

Excellent dive sites with kelp beds, ledges, swim-throughs and gutters are easily accessible from shore at Warrnambool. There is also a shallow, but very interesting pier dive at Breakwater Pier. Marine life at the different dive sites includes cephalopods, boxfish, pipefish, Wobbegongs and Port Jackson sharks. Helen’s Rock is a great boat dive where pelagics, such as trevally, snapper and kingfish, are regularly seen.

Getting There

Warrnambool is located 270km west of Melbourne. Travel by car via the Princes Highway or Great Ocean Road.
Daily rail or coach services are available from Melbourne.