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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.
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This hidden region in Victoria is home to a peaceful lake trail

    Craig TansleyBy Craig Tansley
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    Video credit: Tourism Australia

    From pink salt landscapes to oases fringed by forests of red gums, the lakes of this rural region are astounding. 

    You’re going to find peace and quiet when you take a road trip through the lakes of the Wimmera Mallee region. Whether it’s mirror-like pink salt lakes that look like an inland sea, or lakes fringed by forests of red gums that showcase Victoria’s arid beauty, there’s a lake for you out here somewhere.  

    1. Lake Tyrrell  

    Lake Tyrrell
    The colours of Lake Tyrrell blend into the sky. (Image: Visit Victoria/Anne Morely)

    Located in the dead heart of the Mallee, Victoria’s largest salt lake, Lake Tyrrell , is a landscape photographer’s dream – especially at sunrise and sunset when the pink salt flats look like a gigantic mirror. It’s easy to camp or park a caravan nearby, too, though the tiny town of Sea Lake is just south (with accommodation). In winter, shallow water covers the salt, creating surreal reflections of the sky.  

    2. Nhill Lake  

    There’s a permanent water source here, so there’s always plenty of water for water skiing, swimming and fishing (the trout and redfin fishing here is legendary). Located beside the pretty heritage town of Nhill with its main street of historic buildings, there’s options for eating and drinking right next door. There’s also a barbecue area with plenty of shady picnic spots and a boardwalk for walking around the lake.  

    3. Lake Bringalbert  

    Lake Bringalert
    Lake Bringalert is a great spot for aquatic adventures.

    Located south-west of the pretty Mallee town of Kaniva, Lake Bringalbert epitomises the best of ‘outback’ Victoria. It’s ringed by red gums and red mallee and feels completely hidden from the world – you’ll barely ever see another person. There’s basic camping on its foreshore and Kaniva offers more accommodation options. It’s the perfect lake for swimming, kayaking and skiing, and the stars at night come without even a hint of city glow.  

    4. Lake Hindmarsh 

    If you’re a bird fan, you’ll love Lake Hindmarsh . Located north of Dimboola, Victoria’s largest natural freshwater lake is like an inland sea full of pelicans, swans and numerous species of ducks – but it also teems with everything from spoonbills to parrots. Sunsets here will blow your mind – the lake is a mirror for the pinks and golds you’ll see on the horizon. There’s free camping spots along the foreshore if you’d like to really contemplate the magic of the lake.  

    5. Pink Lake 

    pink lake
    The Pink Lake is most vivid after rain. (Image: Visit Victoria/Anne Morely)

    Also known as Loch Lel , the summer months offer up some seriously vivid pink water colour at this lake north of Dimboola. The pink varies throughout the year, but is best after rain (hence why summer is the time to visit).

    pink lake
    Pink Lake, also known as Loch Lel, is located near Dimboola in the Grampians. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    There’s plenty of birds, including wedge-tailed eagles, but you’re as likely to spot big lace monitors, kangaroos and echidnas. Nearby, check out the uber-cute heritage town of Dimboola and its eclectic shops, and Little Desert National Park, full of walking trails through mallee heathland. 

    6. Lake Lascelles 

    Lake Lascelles
    You can camp at Lake Lascelles.

    On a hot summer’s day, there’s nowhere better for a cooling dip, kayak or boat ride. You can camp by the lake , or at powered caravan sites – or the pretty town of Hopetoun offers numerous accommodation options a short walk away. At night you’ll see the lights of Hopetoun reflect off the lake. Fish for yellow belly, redfin or catfish, or try water-skiing. There’s also a great walking trail around the lake, where there’s more birds than you can count.