There are plenty of places to stay in Warrnambool, from resorts and B&Bs, to hotels, apartments and holiday houses. At the higher end of the spectrum is Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village Lighthouse Lodge, which gives you the option of playing lighthouse keeper as you overlook Lady Bay. Located at the base of the State Heritage Registered Lady Bay Lighthouses, this high quality accommodation experience is walking distance to many Warrnambool restaurants and attractions. Prices start at about $175.

But if your budget doesn’t allow for much extravagance, why not try the Warrnambool Holiday Park? Rated four stars, it’s close to several attractions, has wi-fi access and has many accommodation options for various needs.

At the top of the must-see list is the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, where you can see one of Australia’s richest shipwreck collections, as well as cannons and obstacles built in 1887 to withstand the threat of the Russian invasion. There you can also step back in time and see an 1870's village still operating Lady Bay Lighthouse precinct, providing a glimpse of Australia's maritime heritage. In the evening rug up and watch ‘Shipwrecked’, an amazing sound and laser show from the Wharf Theatre. But for those who would rather spend their break being a beach bum, there are plenty of untouched local beaches to do just that. Lady Bay is the main beach in Warrnambool and is popular with visitors and locals alike. The best beach for surfing is Logans Beach but there are still great breaks at Levy’s Beach and Second Bay. If you’d rather not get your hair wet, take advantage of the scenery and take a stroll along Thunder Point. The walk offers spectacular coastal views with lookouts of the Great Ocean Road along the way. 

If you visit between July and September, you might be lucky enough to see Southern Right Whales as they occupy surrounding waters during this time to mate and nurse their babies. Before you leave, take a 50-minute drive east of the town to the heritage listed 12 Apostles, a must-see along the Great Ocean Road.

 

The best time to visit Warrnambool is between July and September, for the best chance to view Southern Right Whales.  During whale season there are charters giving you the chance to get as close to the giants as possible, so remember to bring a pair of binoculars with you.

 

Located 270km west of Melbourne, Warrnambool is best travelled to by car.  As the journey is along the Great Ocean Road, you won’t regret it. There are train and bus services available, as are rental cars from Melbourne.