10 Best Restaurants Warrnambool Has To Offer

If you get towards the end of the Great Ocean Road and are looking for restaurants, Warrnambool has plenty to choose from.

When you hit the end of the Great Ocean Road, the fun doesn’t stop. A regional city on the rise, Warrnambool has plenty of excellent eateries to discover. Have fun finding Malaysian hawker-style food down an alley, seafood feasts on the waterfront, cocktail bars serving top-notch pizza, fine dining restaurants bringing a hint of France to regional Victoria and more. When it comes to restaurants, Warrnambool has plenty to offer. Here are a few to bookmark before your visit:

1. Proudfoots by the River

Toast the conclusion of your Great Ocean Road journey by booking a table at this historic Warrnambool establishment.

the Proudfoots by the River restaurant in Warrnambool — Proudfoots by the River is idyllically set over the Hopkins River. (Image: Visit Victoria)

A heritage boathouse originally built back in 1900, Proudfoots is now a restaurant known for serving steak and seafood as well as dishes featuring native Australian ingredients like kangaroo bolognese and crocodile and prawn enchiladas.

plates of food on the table at Proudfoots by the River Warrnambool — Feast on a delicious modern menu with fresh local produce. (Image: Visit Victoria)

The incredible location overlooking the Hopkins River is the icing on the cake.

friends dining at Proudfoots by the River, Warrnambool — Elevate your dining by the river. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Address: 2 Simpson St, Warrnambool

2. Hairy Goat Tapas & Cocktails

Cocktails and tapas go hand-in-hand with good times at the Hairy Goat .

red leather couches at the vintage restaurant interior of Hairy Goat Tapas & Cocktails, Warrnambool — The red leather couches give off a vintage feel.

Martini fans will rejoice when they see the cocktail list, with 13 different martinis on offer running the gamut from a classic dry gin martini to an appletini made with apple vodka, schnapps, Midori and apple juice.

drinks on display at Hairy Goat Tapas & Cocktails, Warrnambool — Take your pick from the extensive drinks list.

Can’t decide what to order? Ask for the Tapas Board and you’ll receive a selection of tapas from the menu.

a spread of food on the table at Hairy Goat Tapas & Cocktails, Warrnambool — Any day at Hairy Goat Tapas & Cocktails is a guaranteed good time.

Address: 69 Liebig St, Warrnambool

3. Myrtle Bar & Kitchen

If you want to splash out on a special dinner, Myrtle Bar & Kitchen is a real treat. Meat lovers are well taken care of here with high-quality beef cuts taking pride of place on the menu, including 100% grass-fed eye fillet by Cape Grim and Ebony Black Angus scotch fillet from New South Wales. Not into steak? There’s also pork belly, regionally sourced market fish, free-range chicken and vegetarian options to choose from too. For a top-flight dining experience matched by elevated service, make a booking for dinner at Myrtle Bar & Kitchen.

the black and white exterior of Myrtle Bar & Kitchen, Warrnambool — You’re in for a special treat the moment you step into Myrtle Bar & Kitchen.

Address: 163 Timor St, Warrnambool

4. Salt

If you’re looking for a fine dining experience to cap off your Great Ocean Road trip, make a booking at Salt . And with just 40 seats, you’ll definitely need to make a booking if you’re visiting on the weekend or other busy periods.

a close-up of food on a plate at Salt, Warrnambool — French influences run through the food and wine menu at Salt.

From light and airy souffle to lobster thermidor and crème brulee, you’ll find a rich vein of French influences running through the food and wine menu here. If you prefer cocktails and beer, you won’t be disappointed here either.

a candle-lit dinner table setup at Salt, Warrnambool — Salt is a classic candle-lit speakeasy in Warrnambool.

Address: 73A Liebig St, Warrnambool

5. Frolic Lane

This fun cocktail bar also serves pizzas and bar food, making it a top spot for dinner and drinks. During winter, keep toasty by the fireplace. In summer, the cocktail garden is where you’ll want to be.

getting tap beer at at Frolic Lane - Warrnambool — Sip the night away with beers on tap at Frolic Lane. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Regardless of when you visit, you’ll need to sample at least one cocktail here whether it be a jalapeno-infused margarita or a left-of-centre fairy floss martini.

a bartender mixing up drinks at at Frolic Lane - Warrnambool — The bar staff can whip up your heart’s desire. (Image: Visit Victoria)

This venue also keeps things interesting with a rotating list of events like drag bingo and burlesque nights – check the website to book a ticket before you arrive.

a bartender preparing cocktails at at Frolic Lane - Warrnambool — Frolic Lane serves traditional cocktails with a twist. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Address: 95 Kepler St, Warrnambool

6. Clovelly Restaurant & Bar

You don’t need to be staying at the Best Western to dine at this welcoming hotel bistro and bar that serves draught beer as well as a huge range of international and local bottled beers and wines. On the menu, you’ll find simple, uncomplicated fare like seared scallops and grilled lamb backstrap as well as tried-and-true desserts like sticky date pudding and house-made tiramisu. If you’re travelling with kids, this family-friendly eatery has a solid menu just for kids too.

Address: 116 Merri St, Warrnambool

7. Madala 134

Offering eat-in, takeaway and delivery, this unassuming Thai restaurant is a local favourite. All the greats of Thai cuisine are on the menu, from spicy clear soups like Tom Yum, to fragrant coconut dishes like Massaman Curry and rice noodle dishes like Pad Thai and Pad See Ew. If you’re craving something spicy but can’t be bothered leaving your accommodation, take the easy way out and order online from Madala 134.

Address: 134 Liebig St, Warrnambool

8. The Dart & Marlin

The home of stone-baked pizza and natural wine in Warrnambool this moody place is a top spot for a boozy dinner.

the restaurant exterior of The Dart & Marlin, Warrnambool — Make a pitstop at The Dart & Marlin.

There are nine or so hand-stretched thin crust pizzas to choose from (gluten-free pizza bases and vegan cheese are both available) as well as a strong drinks list covering everything from classic cocktails to inventive mocktails.

When it comes to ales, independent Victorian breweries are well-represented here, as are smaller, unheralded winemakers creating genuinely interesting drops.

a close-up of a dish at The Dart & Marlin, Warrnambool — The Dart & Marlin reels you in with its excellent fare.

Address: 216 Timor St, Warrnambool

9. Simon’s Waterfront

A coastal break calls for seafood and wine with waterfront views. If this sounds like your idea of heaven, book a table for lunch or dinner at Simon’s Waterfront . From Lakes Entrance fried calamari to prawn tacos, seafood features strongly on the menu. The signature dish here is the seafood chowder served in a locally made Cobb loaf – a retro classic that’s become a real crowd-pleaser. Try and book a table by the window to enjoy one of the best views in town.

Address: 1/80 Pertobe Rd, Warrnambool

10. Penang Alley

Penang Alley is proof that some of the best eats can be found in unlikely places. Found down an alleyway, this hole-in-the-wall eatery serves hawker-style Malaysian fare. Pick up some takeaway or sit on the patio in the sunshine to feast on spicy, coconutty Nasi Lemak or a sour, tangy Penang Asam Laksa. Don’t forget to leave room for some Kopi Peng (chilled Malaysian coffee made with condensed milk) or Kuih Ketayap (pandan and coconut pancakes) too.

Address: Liebig St, Warrnambool

Discover the best things to do in Warrnambool

Video credit: Tourism Australia

From coast to mountains, hiking in Gippsland offers a stunning array of landscapes, with trails that take you deep into the region’s heritage.

I step out onto the sand and it cries out underfoot. Kweek! I take another step and there’s another little yelp. Screet! Picking up the pace, the sounds follow me like my shadow, all the way down to the water. It’s obvious how this spot got its name – Squeaky Beach – from the rounded grains of quartz that make the distinctive sounds under pressure.

For many, Wilsons Promontory National Park is the gateway to Gippsland , and the best way to explore it is by walking its network of hiking trails, from coastal gems such as Squeaky Beach through to the bushland, among the wildlife. But it’s still just a taste of what you’ll find on foot in the region.

Venture a bit further into Gippsland and you’ll discover the lakes, the rainforest, and the alpine peaks, each changing with the season and offering summer strolls or winter walks. Just like that squeaky sand, each step along these trails has something to tell you: perhaps a story about an ancient spirit or a pioneering search for fortune.

The best coastal hikes in Gippsland

sunset at Wilsons Promontory National Park — Wilsons Promontory National Park is a sprawling wilderness with many coastal bushland trails. (Image: Mark Watson)

Wilsons Promontory National Park (or ‘The Prom’, as you’ll end up calling it) is an easy three-hour drive from Melbourne, but you might ditch the car when you arrive, with much of the park’s 50,000 hectares accessible only by foot. From the inky water of Tidal River (dyed dark purple by abundant tea trees), I like the easy walks along the coast, among lichen-laden granite boulders, to golden beaches and bays.

a couple on Mount Oberon — Panoramic views from the summit of Mount Oberon. (Image: Everyday Nicky)

The trail to the panoramic views at the summit of Mount Oberon is a bit harder, up steep timber and granite steps, but it’s a popular 6.8-kilometre return. The more remote hikes are found through the open banksia and stringybark woodland of the park’s north, or along the multi-day Southern Circuit , which ranges from about 35 to 52 kilometres, with sunrises and sunsets, kangaroos and cockatoos, and maybe even whales.

a golden sand beach at Wilsons Promontory National Park — Walk ‘The Prom’s’ golden sand beaches. (Image: Tourism Australia/Time Out Australia)

You might also see whales on the George Bass Coastal Walk , even closer to Melbourne on the western edge of Gippsland. This dramatic seven-kilometre trail along the clifftops takes in sweeping views of the wild ocean, occasionally dipping down from grassy green hills to coastal gullies and a secluded beach. It also now links into the Bass Coast Rail Trail for an extra 14 kilometres.

Over at the eastern edge of Gippsland, in Croajingolong National Park, you can wander along the lakeshores beneath koalas and around goannas (I keep my distance since one chased me here!). For those who are even more adventurous, the park is also the starting point for the 100-kilometre Wilderness Coast Walk , usually done over seven days.

the Croajingolong National Park, Gippsland — Wander along the lakeshores in Croajingolong National Park. (Image: Tourism Australia)

The best bush hikes in Gippsland

the Baw Baw National Park — The alpine heath of Baw Baw National Park. (Image: Everyday Nicky)

Deep in the Long Tunnel Extended Gold Mine at Walhalla, mining guide Richard tells me how this small town in the mountains east of Melbourne boomed when prospectors found gold here in 1862. These days, you’ll find most of the town’s treasure – its heritage – above ground, with the Walhalla Tramline Walk a wonderful way to explore it.

Just seven kilometres long, the walk takes you through decades of Gold Rush history, following the original rail trail from lush bushland to the mining sites, and through the charming village of just 20 residents with its wooden cottages and old shopfronts adorned with turn-of-the-century advertising posters. Blazing a trail where trailblazers once opened up the region, this is also the starting point for the 650-kilometre Australian Alps Walking Track.

Nearby, Baw Baw National Park has walks through gnarled snow gums and alpine heaths that show off the colourful wildflowers in summer and the pristine carpet of white in winter. Several trails are perfect for snowshoes, including a 45-minute route from St Gwinear up to vast views across the Latrobe Valley.

Further up into the mountains, the Toorongo and Amphitheatre Falls Loop Walk is an easy 2.2-kilometre path that serenades you with the sound of flowing water as you pass mossy rocks and tree ferns en route to two sets of waterfalls cascading over boulders in the remote wilderness.

The best cultural hikes in Gippsland

the Mitchell River National Park, Gippsland — Hike the Mitchell River National Park. (Image: Parks Victoria/Grace Lewis)

Across a pool in a natural sandstone amphitheatre, deep within a cave behind a waterfall, it’s said the Nargun has its lair. A fierce creature, half human and half stone, that abducts children and can’t be harmed by boomerangs or spears, the story of the Nargun has been told around the campfires of the local Gunaikurnai people for generations.

As a culturally significant place for women, hikers are asked not to go into the Den of Nargun, but a 3.4-kilometre loop walk leads you through a rainforest gully to the entrance where you can feel the powerful atmosphere here in Mitchell River National Park , along Victoria’s largest remaining wild and free-flowing waterway.

the bee-eaters at Mitchell River National Park — Bee-eaters at Mitchell River National Park. (Image: Parks Victoria/Grace Lewis)

The Den of Nargun is part of the Bataluk Cultural Trail , a series of important traditional Gunaikurnai sites through central Gippsland. Another location is Victoria’s largest cave system, Buchan Caves Reserve, with trails to important archaeological sites of human artefacts up to 18,000 years old. The FJ Wilson Interpreted Walk includes the naturally sculpted white limestone steps of the 400-metre-long Federal Cave, while the Granite Pools Walk goes among tall timber and moss-covered gullies.

the ancient rainforest of Tarra-Bulga National Park — The ancient rainforest of Tarra-Bulga National Park. (Image: Josie Withers)

Also important to the Gunaikurnai people is Tarra-Bulga National Park , known for its ancient myrtle beeches and enormous mountain ash trees. Just 40 minutes return, the Tarra Valley Rainforest Walk offers a taste of this verdant landscape, while the Grand Strzelecki Track takes you deep into the lost world of forest giants on an epic 100-kilometre trail rich with tradition.

A traveller’s checklist

Staying there

the WildernessRetreats in The Prom — Wilderness Retreats in The Prom. (Image: Christian Pearson)

Wilderness Retreats in Wilsons Promontory offers glamping-style tents with luxurious queen beds. Star Hotel is a reconstruction of a Gold Rush-era hotel from 1863 in the heart of heritage Walhalla. Caves House is a historic three-bedroom house with views over the Buchan River.

Eating there

the Carrajung Estate, Gippsland — Enjoy a post-hike lunch at Carrajung Estate. (Image: Everyday Nicky)

Kilcunda General Store serves great coffee and meals of local produce at the George Bass Coastal Walk. Alpine Trout Farm is located near Toorongo Falls in Noojee. Fish for your own lunch and barbecue it with the provided cookware.

Carrajung Estate is a short drive from Tarra-Bulga National Park. The winery’s restaurant offers a seasonal menu of regional ingredients and you can stay at The Lodge.

a seafood feast at Carrajung Estate, Gippsland — The table is set for a seafood feast at the estate.