hero media

Our guide to the best Warrnambool caravan parks and camping spots

Jo StewartBy Jo Stewart
If you’re searching for an affordable place to enjoy a carefree beach break, there’s a Warrnambool caravan park or campground to suit your needs.

Looking to enjoy a beach break on a budget? Don’t overlook Warrnambool. This thriving city at the end of the Great Ocean Road has plenty of caravan and holiday parks to check into. From beach frontage to a peaceful haven by the river and a central spot near all the shops, cafes and restaurants, here are our picks of the best Warrnambool caravan parks and camping spots.

1. Surfside Holiday Park

an aerial view of Surfside Holiday Park, Warrnambool
Surfside Holiday Park offers direct beach access.

You can’t beat the location of this large, council-run holiday park . Just a short walk to the beach, Lake Pertobe and Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, you can easily get around on foot or bike after you’ve arrived and settled in.

Book a basic cottage or brand-new beach chalet or check in to a powered or unpowered site if you’re a happy camper or caravanner.  All the basic amenities you need for a top beach break are here (barbecues, laundries and camp kitchen) and with the beach pretty much on your doorstep, fun in the sun is just a short stroll away.

Address: 120 Pertobe Rd, Warrnambool

2. Shipwreck Bay Holiday Park

the Shipwreck Bay Holiday Park in Warrnambool
The Shipwreck Bay Holiday Park is renowned for its prized waterside location. (Image: Road Tripping Faucetts)

Also run by the local council, this beach-facing holiday park is mostly only open during peak times like summer, Easter and the Labour Day long weekend. The perfect place to pitch a tent or set up your caravan, this holiday park has plenty of powered and unpowered sites, plus barbecues, bathrooms, laundries, picnic tables and open grassy areas to enjoy. With a prized beachside location, this park is popular so be sure to book your spot early.

Address: 42 Pertobe Rd, Warrnambool 

3. Warrnambool Holiday Park and Motel

a superior ensuite cabin at Warrnambool Holiday Park & Motel
The superior ensuite cabin can fit up to six guests.

Whether you’re travelling solo or with a big group of family and friends, there are plenty of accommodation options at this holiday park  that’s just off the Princes Highway. From a simple studio apartment to an economy ensuite cabin for four guests, and a premium apartment sleeping up to eight people, there’s plenty of room for everyone here.

A solar-heated swimming pool and indoor games room equipped with a TV, video games and billiards table means you’re covered for things to do during cooler weather too. If you’re into fishing (tuna season is big in these parts) this holiday park is a boat-friendly place to set up base camp since there’s free boat storage and bait and ice available for sale at reception.

Address: 83 Simpson St, Warrnambool

4. Discovery Parks – Warrnambool

You’ll be nice and close to the beach at this dog-friendly park . A great option if you’re travelling with kids and pets, this park has a pool, playground, movie room, pedal karts and a rotating line-up of fun activities like scavenger hunts and art workshops to keep the little ones entertained throughout your stay. Stay in a cosy cabin, book a powered site for your van or an unpowered site for your tent or swag – there are options to suit different budgets and holiday styles here.

Address: 25 Pertobe Rd, Warrnambool

5. BIG4 Tasman Holiday Parks – Warrnambool

the outdoor deck at BIG4 Tasman Holiday Parks Warrnambool
Fire up the grill for some barbecue on the expansive outdoor deck.

Just a 10-minute stroll from the city centre, this pet-friendly holiday park  puts you in prime position to enjoy Warrnambool’s restaurants, bars, pubs and cafes. Stay in the comfort of a cabin, unit or suite, pitch a tent on a grassy site or set your caravan up on a shady, powered site.

No matter which accommodation you choose, you’ll enjoy access to the park’s facilities including a swimming pool, infrared sauna, tennis court, basketball court, games room and playground.

Address: 33 Lava St, Warrnambool 

6. Warrnambool Holiday Village

Conveniently located right near a few supermarkets, you’ll be all set to enjoy a self-catered, budget break at this neat and tidy holiday village . Each cabin includes a full kitchen, air conditioning and free Wi-Fi, while the shared kitchen and barbecue area are perfect for visitors booked into the powered caravan sites. If you love the convenience of staying in the centre of town, be sure to bookmark this holiday village.

Address: 81 Henna St, Warrnambool

7. NRMA Warrnambool Riverside Holiday Park

the outdoor pool at NRMA Warrnambool Riverside Holiday Park
Cool down in the outdoor pool.

Occupying a lovely spot on the Hopkins River, this peaceful holiday park  has all the ingredients for a restorative break. An impressive range of facilities means you’ll never run out of things to do here.

Make a splash at the lagoon-style outdoor pool with a waterslide, swim some laps in the heated indoor pool, challenge yourself on the mini-golf course or find a summer read at the book exchange.

With accommodation options ranging from campsites to powered caravan sites, and cabins and villas to suit everyone from solo travellers to large families, you’ll be able to bed down here at a price point that suits your budget. Travelling with your pet? This park welcomes four-legged guests too.

Address: 125 Jubilee Park Rd, Warrnambool

Feed the family at the best restaurants in Warrnambool 

Jo Stewart
Jo Stewart is a freelance features writer who pens stories about nature, pop culture, music, art, design and more from her home in the Macedon Ranges of Victoria. When not writing, you can find her trawling through vinyl records and vintage fashion at op shops, antique stores and garage sales.
See all articles
Deep Blue Hotel & Hot Springs Warrnambool.
Warrnambool

15 of the best places to stay in Warrnambool

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

Read more
hero media

The Gold Rush town that’s become Victoria’s best country escape for foodies

    Jocelyn PrideBy Jocelyn Pride
    Continue
    The well-preserved Gold Rush town where an idyllic country vibe meets the best of city living.

    Cafe culture

    ‘Slow down’ is the mantra of Tortoise Espresso , and it’s apt for anyone visiting town. This local coffee hangout was the brainchild of Lloyd Meadows, who at 16 started it as a hole in the wall of an old pub. Five years on, it graces a fine shopfront with a menu of around 60 different coffees. Other one-off centrally located daytime cafes, such as Saffs, Togs, Saint Florian and Lazy Bones, are tucked into historic buildings and serve creative menus featuring local produce. A personal favourite is Origini, where chef Luca Sartori brings a taste of northern Italy to his rustic restaurant. For the best banh mi outside Vietnam head to Super Hero, and the pastries at Johnny Baker are legendary.

    the Saint Florian Cafe, Castlemaine
    Saint Florian is one of many businesses tucked away in a historic building. (Image: Griffin Simm)

    On the town’s fringe you’ll find some treasured cafes: Blackbird. Grist, Doveton Corner Store, and the cosy Aitken’s Corner. The Mill precinct also brings another dimension to Castlemaine. Located directly opposite the beautiful Botanical Gardens, this once-derelict woollen mill is a hive of creativity and collaboration. Retaining an industrial feel, it is home to a myriad of 44 unique businesses, galleries and studios that stretch over the three-hectare site.

    Brilliant brews, bars and food

    diners at The Mill, Castlemaine
    The Mill is home to many local businesses. (Image: Visit Victoria/Michelle Jarni)

    The Mill is also home to one of Castlemaine’s bespoke breweries, Shedshaker Brewing Company and Taproom. Within the sensitively restored walls of the oldest part of the building (circa 1875), small-batch, handcrafted beer features alongside fine wholesome food and live music.

    A more recent newcomer to the brewing scene is Love Shack . Starting small as a laneway pop-up in 2021, visionaries Conna Mallett and Harry Cox were armed with a Melbourne beer culture pedigree, which helped them create a great new ‘pub’ that feels as though it’s been there since the 1850s. Other atmospheric bars and restaurants are dotted around town – Grafting Cellars for local wines by the pour; buzzy Mostyn Street Cellars; Table Records plays vinyl on weekends; and the quirky Maurocco bar is not to be missed.

    food and drinks at Love Shack Public Bar & Bistro, Castlemaine
    The nostalgic Love Shack Public Bar & Bistro serves comfort food. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    For food you’ll write home about, the hatted Bar Midland serves exquisite dishes from Victorian-only produce. The freshly renovated Wild is located in the original firestation, Voor Ouker specialises in Indonesian/Dutch fusion, and the Railway Hotel oozes English pub charm.

    the Theatre Royal, Castlemaine
    Theatre Royal is the longest continually operating theatre on the mainland. (Image: Chloe Smith Photography)

    Much-loved Teatro Regio, found in the magnificent Theatre Royal , is the go-to for pizzas with a twist. As mainland Australia’s longest continually running theatre, this grand dame is also one of more than a dozen performance spaces that add to a rich and diverse entertainment and festival scene.

    pizza at Theatre Royal
    Dine before a show at Theatre Royal. (Image: Tourism Australia/Visit Victoria)

    Quirky country stays

    Quirky, authentic and perfectly located, the Midland Hotel is a private hotel that dates back to 1879. Each of the nine rooms at the Northern Arts Hotel is different and named in honour of an Australian artist. Castlemaine Boutique Accommodation also has a range of properties to suit all types of travellers.