7 Warrnambool Pubs to Try On Your Next Visit

Cap off your Great Ocean Road getaway by raising a glass at one of these Warrnambool pubs.

From timeless country boozers full of character to renovated heritage hotels serving elevated fare, there’s nothing like finishing your day with a meal and a pint while you’re on the road. When you inch towards the end of the Great Ocean Road, you’ll be rewarded with plenty of places that fit the bill. Instead of scrambling to find the best pub to suit your mood when you arrive, bookmark these Warrnambool pubs before you go.

1. The Cally Hotel

the Cally bar in Warrnambool — Settle into the Cally bar for hearty pub-style meals. (Image: Canterbury Creative)

This centrally located beauty located a five-minute stroll away from the train station offers pub meals, craft beer, cocktails on tap, barista coffee and accommodation all week long. The menu features meals ranging from old faithful pub standards like beer battered fish and chicken schnitzel, as well as veggie-packed side salads, pizzas and vegan burgers. Travelling with your best (furry) friend? Pooches are welcome to join you for a meal on the heated streetside seating.

Address: 112-114 Fairy St, Warrnambool

2. The Whalers Hotel

a calamari dish at The Whalers Hotel — The Whalers Hotel serves up much-loved pub grub such as fried calamari.

There’s always plenty happening at this longstanding historic pub with stained-glass windows. With a sports bar, dining room and stage, this pub attracts a diverse range of locals and visitors from near and far. You’ll see everyone from tradies having a feed while watching a game of AFL to couples settling in for dinner and groups of friends gathering to see one of the many live music acts that populate the gig calendar each year. Apart from all the usual pub fare, this hotel also serves local, sustainably farmed abalone. With a seniors and kids menu, this is a top spot to take all the family.

Address: 53 Liebig St, Warrnambool

3. The Flying Horse

Rump Surf ‘n’ Turf lunch and dinner special at The Flying Horse, Warrnambool — Order the Rump Surf ‘n’ Turf lunch and dinner special.

Located just off the Princes Highway, the Flying Horse is a solid dinner or lunch pitstop option while you’re on the road. With a restaurant, bar, kid’s playroom, drive-thru bottle shop and coffee shop (yes, drive-thru coffee) a visit to the Flying Horse can be as long or as short as you need. You can also order online and pick up meals from your car if you’re short on time and want to eat while on the road. Genius!

Address: 10691 Princes Hwy, Warrnambool

4. Rafferty’s Tavern

This family-friendly tavern with outdoor seating and a kid’s play area is a top place for families to enjoy a stress-free meal. Getting kids to sit through dinner can be tough, but dining somewhere with big-screen televisions, pool tables and a play area just for kids makes things a whole lot easier. Depending on when you visit, there might be prizes and games for kids too if you’re lucky. There are lots of plant-based meals on the bistro menu here, so vegans and vegetarians will be happy too.

Address: 1145 Raglan Parade, Warrnambool

5. Victoria Hotel

a dessert offering at Victoria Hotel, Warrnambool — Eaton mess, berries and passionfruit for dessert.

Established back in 1905, this old-school country pub has undergone renovations over the years but lost none of its charm. Behind the near-original heritage facade, you’ll find a good honest watering hole, bottle shop and bistro serving pub classics for lunch and dinner and easy-drinking beers and ciders on tap. If you’re on the hunt for affordable accommodation, you can bed down here too.

Address: 90 Lava St, Warrnambool VIC

6. Hotel Warrnambool

the heritage-style interior of Hotel Warrnambool — History buffs get together for a pint at the heritage-style Hotel Warrnambool.

This large heritage hotel is open 7 days a week and is well worth a visit if you’re a fan of history and architecture. With a long and storied history dating back more than 100 years, this grand old dame is an important Warrnambool landmark. Settle into the dining room to enjoy hearty pub meals like red wine braised beef cheek or head out to the beer garden to snack on fish tacos or woodfired pizza in the sun with an ice-cold ale. You can also stay upstairs in one of the neat and simple yet comfortable rooms.

Address: Cnr Koroit And, Kepler St, Warrnambool

7. Seanchai Irish Pub

a pool table inside Seanchai Irish Pub — Keep the good times rolling at the pool table.

Wherever you are in the world, it’s comforting to know that you’re never too far from an Irish pub. If you’re jonesing for a pint of Guinness while you’re in town, then head to Seanchai Irish Pub . Inside you’ll find all the hallmarks of traditional pub décor: Chesterfield-style leather couches and armchairs, a pool table, framed photos of years gone by, bookshelves filled with old tomes and the odd taxidermy animal too. If you love Irish pubs, start the night here with a pint or stop in for a whiskey nightcap after dinner.

Address: 62 Liebig St, Warrnambool

From natural wonders to historical sites, we’ve rounded up Victoria’s most epic icons that deserve a place on your itinerary.

Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park

From towering mountains to crystal cascades and ancient rock art sites, the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park is a playground for both outdoor adventurers and nature lovers. Don’t miss the views from the highest peak Mount William or the iconic Pinnacle.

Murray River

A paddle steamer down the Murray in Echuca — The wonders of the Murray are best experienced on board a paddle steamer. (Image: Visit Victoria)

A natural icon of majestic proportions, the Murray River flows for a staggering 2700 kilometres, making it one of the world’s longest navigable rivers. Meandering through Victoria before flowing out to sea at Goolwa in South Australia, the river is home to diverse wildlife, picturesque towns and secluded creeks and beaches.

Twelve Apostles, Port Campbell

the Twelve Apostles, Great Ocean Road — The Twelve Apostles are a star attraction on the Great Ocean Road. (Image: Tourism Australia/Two Palms/Harry Pope)

These limestone sea stacks are arguably Victoria’s most famous icon . After an $8-million upgrade to its lookout, The Blowhole near Loch Ard Gorge/Poombeeyt Kontapool (meaning breath of the whale) has recently reopened. A brand-new Twelve Apostles Visitor Experience Centre, complete with rooftop lookout, will open in 2026.

You Yangs, Geelong

kangaroos in You Yangs — Kangaroos enjoy dusk in the You Yangs. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Rising 300-plus metres from the flat volcanic plains between Melbourne/Naarm and Geelong, the You Yangs are massive granite boulders named for the local Wadawurrung word ‘Youang’, meaning ‘big hills’. Hiking, biking, rock climbing and horse-riding are popular within this regional park.

Redwood Forest, Yarra Valley

Near the town of Warburton, an extraordinary forest of some 1500 Californian Redwoods stands among native orchids, eucalypt trees and rich birdlife. Planted in the 1930s, these 55-metre-plus trees can live for 2000 years and will grow to be some of the world’s tallest.

Wilsons Promontory, Gippsland

the Wilsons Promontory — Wilsons Promontory is home to the incredible Skull Rock formation. (Image: Tourism Australia)

The Prom, as it’s known locally, is the southernmost tip of mainland Australia. This 50,000-hectare reserve comprises granite mountains and forest, fringed by sandy beaches and surrounded by a marine park rich in marine biodiversity. It’s also home to the incredible and imposing Skull Rock formation.

Hanging Rock Reserve, Macedon Ranges

This six-million-year-old volcanic rock  was thrown into the national spotlight thanks to the 1967 novel and consequent 1975 film based on the fictional disappearance of schoolgirls in 1901. Mystery aside, visitors can walk the steep 105-metre summit, fish for trout and go twitching.

Sovereign Hill, Ballarat

exploring Sovereign Hill — Step back in time at Sovereign Hill. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Cry ‘eureka!’ at Sovereign Hill , a living museum to the prosperous Gold Rush era of the 1850s, during which Ballarat produced the most gold in the world. Visitors to this much-loved attraction can walk historic  streets, enter a gold mine and try panning for the good stuff, too.

The Great Stupa, Bendigo

Who’d have thought the largest Buddhist temple in the Western world would be tucked away in Bendigo’s bushland? Welcoming visitors to explore, this sacred Buddhist pagoda is an epicentre for Tibetan culture, architecture, art and interfaith harmony.

Cape Schanck Lighthouse, Mornington Peninsula

the Cape Schanck Lighthouse from above — Heritage-listed Cape Schanck Lighthouse. (Image: Tourism Australia/Two Palms/Harry Pope)

Ensuring the safe passage of ships in the notoriously treacherous Bass Strait since 1859, this heritage-listed lighthouse overlooks dramatic volcanic coast and wild beaches. The surrounding reserve is home to a plethora of wildlife including little penguins, seals and echidnas.

7 Warrnambool pubs to try on your next visit