The Best Warrnambool Accommodation | Australian Traveller

From a bayside resort to an ultra-modern beach house and quaint pub accommodation, Warrnambool has plenty of incredible places to stay.

Travellers are often surprised by this city at the end of the Great Ocean Road. Home to a population of just over 35,000 people, Warrnambool has all the ingredients for a relaxing break by the sea, minus the hefty price tags that come with some of the hyped holiday hotspots on the coast. When it comes to accommodation, Warrnambool has options ranging from beachside caravan parks to comfy pub stays and beyond. Read our guide to Warrnambool’s best accommodation to find the perfect place to bed down next time you’re in town.

Hotels

1. Deep Blue Hotel & Hot Springs

Desperate for a truly relaxing break? The answer is booking into this hotel that boasts a hot springs sanctuary, indoor bathhouse, swimming pool, day spa and infrared sauna.

a room with a balcony at Deep Blue Hotel and Hot Springs, Warrnambool — Retreat to your ocean-view room with a balcony.

Check in to an ocean view room to wake up each morning to sea vistas or splash out on a deluxe spa suite to slide into your own private spa bath each evening.

the pool at Deep Blue Hotel and Hot Springs, Warrnambool — This hotel boasts a hot springs sanctuary for a truly relaxing break.

A weekend soaking up some geothermal goodness is just what the doctor ordered!

an aerial view of Deep Blue Hotel and Hot Springs, Warrnambool — Sweeping coastal vistas abound.

Best for: Spa breaks and wellness weekends

Address: Worm Bay Rd, Warrnambool

2. Best Western Olde Maritime

This welcoming, centrally located hotel has rooms ranging from compact budget twin rooms to spacious split-level family rooms. With a restaurant, bar and gym, this hotel has everything you need on site if you prefer to stay close to your room.

a look inside one of the rooms at Best Western Olde Maritime, Warrnambool — Best Western Olde Maritime is a welcoming retreat in Warrnambool.

Alternatively, Warrnambool’s restaurants and attractions are just a stroll away, with the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village just across the road.

a bedroom with a window and a fireplace at Best Western Olde Maritime, Warrnambool — Each room is minimal and elegant.

Best for: A great all-rounder for families, groups, couples and business travellers.

Address: 110-116 Merri St, Warrnambool

3. Quest Warrnambool

A great all-purpose accommodation option located opposite the Warrnambool Art Gallery and around the corner from some cracking pubs and restaurants, Quest Warrnambool ticks the boxes for all types of travellers. These spacious, open-plan serviced apartments have kitchens or kitchenettes if you like preparing your own meals.

a room with a balcony at Quest Warrnambool — The apartments are modern and spacious.

There’s an outdoor pool to enjoy in warmer weather too. Corporate facilities like meeting rooms make this hotel a good choice for business travellers, while wheelchair-friendly rooms make travelling easy for people with accessibility requirements.

the living area at Quest Warrnambool — Quest Warrnambool is a prime destination for business travellers.

Best for: Solo travellers, business travellers, families and people who require accessible rooms.

Address: 15-19 Liebig St, Warrnambool

4. Warrnambool Gallery Apartments

Stay at these boutique apartments and you’ll be right in the heart of the action. Choose from a studio, one or two-bedroom apartment, or a deluxe spa suite to finish the day soaking in your own spa. You’re just a short walk from some great pubs, restaurants and cafes here. Prefer making your own meals? Each apartment has a fully equipped kitchen so you can stock up on provisions and enjoy a self-catered break.

Best for: Couples and solo travellers

Address: 206 Lava St, Warrnambool

5. The Cally

Many people visit this Fairy Street stalwart for a pub meal and a beer, but you can book a basic room upstairs too. If you’re on a budget and want to stay somewhere in the middle of the city, these neat and simple rooms will do the trick. Bonus points for being able to wander downstairs for a meal and an ale.

Best for: Groups and families on a budget break

Phone number: (03) 5561 3932

Address: 112-114 Fairy St, Warrnambool

Resorts

6. Lady Bay Resort

If want to experience a relaxing slice of cruisy resort life, this large property located just outside of the Warrnambool city centre is a top pick.

the exterior of Lady Bay Resort with water views — Lady Bay Resort treats guests to picturesque water views.

From spacious rooms to a swimming pool, spa and restaurant, lounge and bar, everything you need for a chilled-out break is here in one place.

the living space interior of Lady Bay Resort Warrnambool — The coastal resort offers plenty of areas to relax.

If you fancy waking up to magnificent coastal views, followed by a leisurely wander along the beach promenade, then spending the afternoon by the pool, this resort delivers all you need for a slow-paced getaway by the sea.

the blue-painted Lady Bay Resort Warrnambool — The blue painted exterior echos the coastal surrounds.

Best for: Couples and groups longing for a quiet break with water views

Phone number: (03) 5562 1662

Address: 2 Pertobe Rd, Warrnambool

Airbnbs and holiday homes

7. Warrnambool Retreat

These stylish, self-contained retreats named Henna and Merri are like walking right into a designer home magazine spread. A sympathetic renovation has enhanced the beauty of these units without betraying its heritage, with many original features retained.

a room with a bathtub at Warrnambool Retreat — These design-led units have modern furnishings.

Luxuriate in the freestanding bathtub, curl up by the fireplace with a glass of wine and kick back in the courtyard with a good book – Warrnambool Retreat truly is a home away from home.

the fireplace at Warrnambool Retreat — Keep warm by the fireplace.

Best for: Couples and groups keen for a private getaway.

Address: 1 Henna Street, Warrnambool, VIC

8. 1 Beach House

If you want to spoil yourself with a luxurious beach break, go no further than this blockbuster beach house. A chic, four-bedroom smart home with all the bells and whistles (chef-grade kitchen, European appliances, ultra-wide smart televisions) you’ll be all set up for a memorable getaway here.

garden views from the window at 1 Beach House, Warrnambool — This deluxe abode is all about recharging.

If you can tear yourself away from this deluxe abode, wander (or use the complimentary bikes) to the Logans Beach Whale Viewing Platform to try and spot migrating whales that visit the area between May and September each year. Driving an electric car? A free Tesla destination charger is available here too.

the outdoor seating area at 1 Beach House, Warrnambool — The landscaped garden is the perfect spot to relax.

Best for: A very special break to remember with friends and loved ones.

Address: Logans Beach Coastal Village, Warrnambool.

Caravan Parks & Campgrounds

9. NRMA Warrnambool Riverside Holiday Park

This peaceful holiday park right on the Hopkins River has facilities and amenities galore, making it a top spot for families and people who love staying active while on holiday. Have fun in the lagoon-style outdoor pool, swim some laps in the heated indoor pool, putt your way around the mini-golf course or visit the book exchange to borrow a page-turner to read at the beach. There are campsites, powered caravan sites, cabins and villas at different price points here. If you’re travelling with your pooch, you’ll be pleased to know this park welcomes four-legged guests too.

the NRMA Warrnambool Riverside Holiday Park — Kids can run around the outdoor playground.

Best for: Families and people travelling with pets.

Address: 125 Jubilee Park Rd, Warrnambool

10. Surfside Holiday Park

As the name suggests, this large, council-run holiday park is just a short stroll from the beach. The location is so convenient, that you could easily forget about your car for days and get around on foot or bike instead. Choose from basic cottages, brand-new beach chalets and powered or unpowered sites if you’re a camper or have embraced van life.

the Surfside Holiday Park, Warrnambool — Surfside Holiday Park boasts a convenient beachside location.

Best for: Beach lovers

Address: 120 Pertobe Rd, Warrnambool

11. Shipwreck Bay Holiday Park

This beach-facing holiday park is also run by the local council and mostly operates during peak holiday periods. A top location to pitch a tent or set up your caravan, this holiday park’s coveted beachside location makes it a popular place during summer – book your spot early.

Best for: Campers and caravanners who love to surf and swim

Address: 42 Pertobe Rd, Warrnambool

12. Warrnambool Holiday Park and Motel

This holiday park that’s just off the Princes Highway has everything from basic studio apartments suited to solo travellers or couples, to premium apartments for groups and families. Travelling with your boat in tow? This holiday park is the ideal place to stay since there’s free boat storage and bait and ice available for sale at reception.

Best for: Anglers and people travelling with boats

Address: 83 Simpson St, Warrnambool

13. Discovery Parks – Warrnambool

This dog-friendly park has stacks of amenities to keep everyone happy. There’s a pool, playground, movie room, pedal karts and fun activities like scavenger hunts and art workshops for the little ones. Choose from cosy cabins, powered sites for your van or unpowered sites for your tent or swag – there’s accommodation to suit different preferences and price points here.

Best for: Families and people travelling with pets

Address: 25 Pertobe Rd, Warrnambool

14. BIG4 Tasman Holiday Parks – Warrnambool

This pet-friendly holiday park is just a 10-minute walk to the city centre. Book a cabin, unit or suite, set your tent up on a grassy site or roll into a powered site if you’re in a van or motorhome.

the outdoor deck with barbecue grill at BIG4 Tasman Holiday Parks Warrnambool — Whip up a delicious barbecue feast on the spacious outdoor deck.

While there is plenty to do in Warrnambool, you’d be mad not to make use of the swimming pool, infrared sauna, tennis court, basketball court, games room and playground here.

the indoor pool at BIG4 Tasman Holiday Parks Warrnambool — Make a splash in the indoor pool.

Best for: Families with kids of all ages and people travelling with pets.

Address: 33 Lava St, Warrnambool

15. Warrnambool Holiday Village

This village’s location right near several supermarkets makes it a top location for people who enjoy self-catered, budget breaks. Each cabin has a kitchen, so you’ll be set to whip up your own breakfast, lunch and dinner here. There’s also air conditioning, free wi-fi and a barbecue area for preparing al fresco feasts.

Best for: Travellers who value a convenient, central location

Address: 81 Henna St, Warrnambool

Discover the best things to do in Warrnambool.

A world away from the hustle, bustle and chaos of the big smoke – yet with a distinct sense of familiarity – Victoria’s Wimmera Mallee region is an incomparable place.

Victoria’s Grampians are a visual feast, a seemingly endless vista of craggy cliffs, rolling valleys and untamed bushland. But they’re also much more than a scenic mountain landscape. Diverse and storied, each region within the range has its own rhythm. The Wimmera Mallee – a pocket in the state’s north-west, stretching from Horsham to near Mildura – is one of the most captivating.

Once known as Victoria’s agricultural heartland, the Wimmera Mallee has evolved in recent years into a dynamic, slightly offbeat hub. It buzzes with a creative hum and welcoming energy, and harbours an eclectic mix of long-time locals and tree-changers. Once you encounter its unmistakable charm, feel its warm country hospitality and taste its nationally celebrated vanilla slice, you may find yourself lingering longer than planned.

Eager to explore? These must-visit spots let you experience the inimitable spirit of this special part of the world.

Wimmera Mallee’s quirky attractions

The Dimboola Imaginarium, Wimmera Mallee victoria — Step into the whacky Dimboola Imaginarium. (Image: Denis Bin)

If you’re after something a little more unconventional, the Wimmera Mallee delivers in droves.

The Dimboola Imaginarium – located in a historic bank building in its namesake town – is a gift shop and boutique accommodation in one. Shop for unique and whimsical keepsakes, stay overnight in an elegant themed room, and lose yourself in one of the Imaginarium’s interactive experiences.

Also in Dimboola, just a short drive from the Imaginarium, is a menagerie of utter delight. Tiny Goats and Co. is home to a herd of miniature goats, with the farm offering group visits and special events like goat yoga and cuddle sessions.

Arcade aficionados should visit the Australian Pinball Museum in nearby Nhill. Here, you’ll find the biggest selection of playable pinball machines in the country, featuring modern models and classics dating all the way back to 1931.

Arts and culture in Wimmera Mallee

Step into the Wimmera Mallee’s storied history at the Stick Shed — Step into history at the Stick Shed. (Image: Visit Vic)

As a thoroughly creative community, it’s no wonder the Wimmera Mallee has a host of venues focused on its rich arts and culture scene.

Wander Trickbots Metal Art & Sculpture Garden in Nullawil, a winding trail filled with unique and quirky creations fashioned from metal odds, ends and scrap. A walk through the garden is inspiring enough, but consider buying a piece to take home and treasure.

The town of Nhill also has a significant Karen-Burmese refugee community, who make up 10 per cent of the local population. Discover the artistry of this vibrant culture at Paw Po , where you can purchase traditional hand-woven and textile products. Choose from a selection of beautifully crafted homewares, fashion and dolls.

Step into the Wimmera Mallee’s storied history at the Stick Shed , the only WWII emergency grain store still standing today. This National Heritage-listed structure takes you on a journey through the region’s agricultural past and is a dramatic sight with its towering and eerily striking timber poles.

Nature escapes around Wimmera Mallee

pink Lake Tyrrel, Wimmera Mallee, Victoria Australia — Take in the pink hues of Lake Tyrrell. (Image: Visit Vic)

Much like the majestic beauty of the wider Grampians, the Wimmera Mallee is a mélange of serene and spellbinding nature escapes.

Victoria’s pink lakes are famed nationwide, and two of them are found right here. See the flamingo-pink hues of Loch Iel, particularly vivid after a heavy downpour, or the vast and ancient Lake Tyrrell , which turns pink during wet and warm conditions.

The Snowdrift dunes in Wyperfeld National Park are ideal for adventurers. Set amid the area’s semi-arid landscape, the dunes are expansive mounds of sand deposited around 40,000 years ago. Hike or sandboard them and make sure to visit at sunset, when the sand glows golden.

And while some travellers chase the highest peaks, you can see the most modest in the Wimmera Mallee. Standing a mere 43 metres above the surrounding terrain, Mount Wycheproof is considered the smallest registered mountain in the world. Courtesy of its relatively gentle inclines, it’s a lovely spot for a walk and a picnic.

Culinary adventures in Wimmera Mallee

border inn in the Wimmera Mallee — Meet the locals at Border Inn.

As a region rich in agricultural bounty, it’s little surprise the Wimmera Mallee has such a robust and vibrant food scene. The community is fiercely proud of its local produce, showcasing the flavours and heritage of the area.

The Border Inn in the village of Apsley is a quaint country pub and meeting spot for the local community, featuring a classic country menu and warm hospitality.

The Horsham Golf Club is a popular spot for golf buffs with an adjoining bistro and bar. Try a modern twist on hearty favourites while taking in views of the green. For a taste of the area’s vintages, head to Norton Estate Wines – a boutique wine producer and cellar door open weekends.

A Wimmera Mallee jaunt wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the famed Sharp’s Bakery in Birchip. Here, you’ll find a velvety vanilla slice that’s been crowned as Australia’s best seven times.

Wimmera Mallee accommodation

Fulham Homestead in wimmera mallee — Escape to Fulham Homestead.

If you’re enjoying an extended trip, you’ll need somewhere to rest. After a day tackling Wyperfeld’s epic dunes, visit Pine Plains Lodge , also in the national park. Built from reclaimed timber planks and logs, and anchored by rugged stone fireplaces, the lodge is a rustic and cosy hideaway.

For a refined yet relaxing escape, head to Fulham Homestead – a gorgeously restored guesthouse on an idyllic working farm, complete with farm animals and scenic vistas. Built in the 1840s, it has all the elegance and charm of its heritage, plus contemporary comforts like a modern kitchen, wi-fi and air-conditioning.

The Hermitage Hotel is Victoria’s oldest inland pub and an equally delightful blend of old and new. The restored rooms are perfectly appointed and adorned with period furnishings and high-quality linens. The pub itself is a favoured food and wine spot among locals and travellers alike.

If camping is more your style, the Lake Lascelles Cabins and Camping (formerly Mallee Bush Retreat) is a sprawling oasis with powered and unpowered sites and snug cabins. The setting is stunning too, the pristine Lake Lascelles sitting right in its centre.

Annual events

Wimmera Mallee Nhill Aviation Museum — Time your visit to Nhill Aviation Museum for the annual air show.

You may not need an excuse to revisit the Wimmera Mallee, but these annual and bi-annual events will almost certainly have you returning again and again.

Each year, the Lake Chalegrark Country Music Marathon takes over the town for a spectacular line-up of musicians from around Australia. The event is easygoing, family-friendly, and set in scenic surrounds on the shores of Lake Charlegrark.

Every two years, the region holds colourful events like the Wimmera Steampunk Festival , a raucous celebration of 19th-century steampunk culture with a different theme each time; the Nhill Air Show , which features jaw-dropping aerial stunts, aircraft displays, music, activities and more; and the Nati Frinj , a festival of art, culture and performance showcasing the many talents of the Natimuk community.

From the quirky to the tasty, start planning at visitwimmeramallee.com.au

15 of the best places to stay in Warrnambool