Warrnambool is Victoria’s largest coastal metropolis (exterior Port Phillip Bay), located about 250km west of Melbourne. It’s historically a summer time vacation spot as guests usually mix it with a highway journey alongside the well-known Nice Ocean Highway.
Nevertheless should you go to Warrnambool in winter you’ll uncover there’s nonetheless tons to do, from whale watching to sights each through the day and at night time. There might be one thing to swimsuit everybody!
Listed here are my prime locations to go in Warrnambool with youngsters (significantly in winter).
For lodging choices in Warrnambool, I like to recommend trying out what’s obtainable on Reserving.com.
Issues to Do in Warrnambool
1. Lake Pertobe Journey playground
Warrnambool greatest playground is Lake Pertobe Journey Playground. This 8-hectare journey playground has an enormous sandpit, big slides, flying foxes, a maze, rock construction with water play and you may even rent boats for paddling.
Current enhancements accomplished in 2022 embrace a brand new toddler play space and an excellent massive trendy slide. Making this probably the greatest outside sights in Warrnambool for teenagers.
There are picnic and BBQ amenities, too.
The Lake Pertobe precinct can also be house to garden tennis courts, mini golf, an athletics observe and skatepark.
Lake Pertobe Journey playground, Pertobe Highway, Warrnambool
2. Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village is a maritime museum with Australia’s richest shipwreck assortment and a reconstructed 1870s outside village overlooking Woman Bay.
Woman AB and I take pleasure in exploring the village’s outlets and buildings, feeding the geese and sampling the scones within the tea rooms.
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village 89 Merri St, Warrnambool VIC 3280, Australia (03) 5559 4600 or Toll free: 1800 556 111
3. Flagstaff Hill Sound and Mild Present
The Flagstaff Hill Sound and Mild Present is a nighttime sound and laser present at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village that takes you on a journey of the village via projections onto a nine-metre excessive water wall.
Company are seated undercover nevertheless it’s open to the weather so gown warmly. I don’t suppose it’s actually appropriate for youthful youngsters because of the loud noises and late beginning occasions (after sundown).
Flagstaff Hill Sound and Mild Present, 89 Merri St, Warrnambool VIC 3280, Australia (03) 5559 4600 or Toll free: 1800 556 111
4. Deep Blue Geothermal Swimming pools
The award-winning Deep Blue Sizzling Springs in Warrnambool is a geothermal mineral bathing Sanctuary. Guests can expertise the joys of bathing amongst a myriad of curated rockpools, sensory caves and cleaning waterfalls whereas benefiting from therapeutic minerals and warmth of the pure earth drawn waters.
Whether or not passing via or staying over, the Deep Blue Sizzling Springs is one in every of Warrnambool’s absolute should do experiences and can depart you feeling fully rejuvenated.
Quite a few time allotted periods are provided each day and appropriate for kids age 5+. (Evening time periods are reserved for adults age 16+).
Deep Blue Resort & Sizzling Springs Warrnambool, Worm Bay Highway, Warrnambool VIC 3280, (03) 5559 2000, reservations@thedeepblue.com.au
5. Mini Golf By The Sea
Have a spherical of mini-golf with the household.
Mini Golf by the Sea, 47 Pertobe Highway, Warrnambool, 03 5562 0644
6. Warrnambool Artwork Gallery
Get pleasure from artwork exhibitions and interactive actions appropriate for kids.
Warrnambool Artwork Gallery, 26 Liebig St, Warrnambool (03) 5559 4949
7. Woman Bay Foreshore Playground and Promenade
Beautiful views for a coastal stroll, together with a beachfront playground with trendy tools.
8. Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve
Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve is Victoria’s first nationwide park and residential to many native birds and wildlife. You’ll possible spot koalas, kangaroos, emus and rather more in your go to.
The customer centre is managed by Worn Gundidj Aboriginal Cooperative and contains a assortment of aboriginal arts and crafts. Free entry.
Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve, 105 Lake View Rd, Tower Hill, 13 19 63
9. Warrnambool Botanic Gardens
Get pleasure from a stroll via twenty acres of tranquil gardens at Warrnambool Botanic Gardens.
The character-based play area supplies a charming outside surroundings designed to have interaction youngsters in immersive and academic play amidst nature.
Free entry.
Warrnambool Botanic Gardens, 24 Bromfield St, Warrnambool, (03) 5559 4800
10. Allansford Cheese World
Warrnambool is a serious dairy farming area and Allansford Cheese World is a museum with free cheese tastings, a licensed restaurant, and a wide array of native and regional wines.
Allansford Cheese World, 5330 Nice Ocean Rd, Allansford, (03) 5565 3127
11. Fletcher Jones Gardens
Stroll via fantastically landscaped gardens, good for a household picnic.
Fletcher Jones Gardens, Cnr Flaxman Avenue & Raglan Parade
12. Logan’s Seaside foreshore stroll
Admire Warrnambool’s shoreline with a stroll beginning at Logan’s Seaside round to Woman Bay foreshore till you attain Thunder Level. Enroute you’ll discover the whale watching lookout the place you may be capable to see humpback whales and their calves round June – October.
Logan’s Seaside, Logans Seaside Rd, Warrnambool
13. Logan’s Seaside Whale Watching Platform
Go to between June and September to identify Southern Proper Whales from the viewing platform.
14. Warrnambool Kart Membership
Expertise indoor go-karting appropriate for older youngsters.
Warrnambool Kart Membership, Buckleys Rd, Allansford VIC 3277
15. Warrnambool Seashores
Warrnambool is enveloped by a various shoreline, offering a mix of sheltered swimming spots, open surf breaks, and thrilling areas to discover. Spend a day constructing sandcastles and enjoying by the ocean.
16. Breakwater And Stingray Bay
Nestled on the entrance of the Merri River, Stingray Bay presents a picturesque sheltered cove, inviting exploration of its crystal-clear rock swimming pools. The Breakwater gives magnificent views of each the harbour and the town.
Stingray Bay, 61 Viaduct Rd, Warrnambool
17. Lighthouse Theatre
Examine for family-friendly performances and occasions at this native theatre.
Lighthouse Theatre, 185 Timor St, Warrnambool VIC 3280, (03) 5559 4999
18. Center Island Maremma Mission
Center Island Maremma Mission isn’t strictly a vacationer attraction however it’s one in every of Warrnambool’s most well-known tasks.
The youngsters’s e-book Chooks in Dinner Fits is a heat, humorous account of 1 man’s quest to avoid wasting a penguin colony, assisted by two very uncommon helpers – Max and Mimi, the Maremma canine. Impressed by the world-first Center Island Maremma Mission in Warrnambool, that is an unbelievable true story about one city’s efforts to shield their inhabitants of Little Penguins.
Confronted with the decline of their feathered pals, the individuals concerned within the mission undertook a radical method and educated two Maremma canine to turn out to be penguin guardians. There are guided ‘Meet the Maremma’ excursions provided in Summer time at low tide that are run by the Warrnambool Metropolis Council.
The place to eat in Warrnambool
Warrnambool nonetheless has a rustic city really feel to it so don’t be stunned should you discover that cafes and outlets shut within the early afternoon on a Saturday and don’t open Sundays or public holidays. As we go to on an extended weekend, sadly, our eating out selections are restricted.
Proudfoot’s Boathouse in a heritage boathouse inbuilt 1885 on the mouth of the Hopkins River.
The eating room serves huge meals of basic pub grub with attractive views.
Proudfoot’s Boathouse, 2 Simpson St Warrnambool, Victoria 5561 5055
20. Bohemia
Bohemia Cafe & Bar is a relaxed cafe with a reasonably commonplace cafe menu.
Prime seating is by the bay window and we attempt the respectable pancakes and a basic avo smash.
Bohemia Cafe & Bar 127 Kepler Avenue, Warrnambool 03 5562 7533
21. Hopkins River Bakery
A bakery with a spread of artisan merchandise together with handmade sourdough breads, naturally fermented breads and rolls, pastries pies and pasties. In addition they promote their wares on the fortnightly Recent Market Warrnambool.
22. Pavilion Cafe and Bar
Pavilion Cafe gives nice espresso and spectacular views over Woman Bay, the Southern Ocean and Center Islands. Within the early hours of the morning you may spot race horses coaching on the seaside. It’s additionally the right place to begin for an extended stroll alongside the promenade.
23. Day Kitty
A restaurant specializing in wholesome fare with a terrific number of vegetarian/vegan choices. In addition they promote house-made ice-cream (together with cones), cold-press juices and smoothies, a spread of coffees and teas.
Day Kitty, 52B Kepler St, Warrnambool, (03) 5561 6921
24. Parts Restaurant and Bar
Parts Restaurant & Bar (positioned on the centre of city on Raglan Parade) is open at dinner occasions and gives nice meals together with standard Sizzling Stone steaks, Burgers and Parmas.
Better of all, they’ve a terrific indoor play space for the youngsters.
Parts Restaurant and Bar, 525 Raglan Parade, Warrnambool, (03) 5562 3866
The place to remain in Warrnambool
25. Flagstaff Hill Lighthouse Lodge
Lighthouse Lodge is the previous lighthouse keeper’s lodge on the base of the Woman Bay Lighthouses.
The totally renovated lodging retains the heritage elements of the home with attention-grabbing historic artefacts and footage together with trendy conveniences reminiscent of free wifi, BBQ, massive display screen TVs and heating/cooling techniques.
The lodge consists of three Queen/King rooms with a shared lounge/kitchen/outside space, or you may e-book the entire lodge completely. Every room has its personal ensuite with bathe, TV and DVD participant and ipod docking station working desk.
It’s strolling distance to the entrance entrance of Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village and guests get discounted entry into the Flagstaff Hill and the Shipwrecked Sound and Mild Present.
Charges can be found on a per room foundation, or you may e-book the entire lodge!
Flagstaff Hill Lighthouse Lodge, 89 Merri St, Warrnambool VIC 3280, Australia (03) 5559 4600 or Toll free: 1800 556 111
26. Deep Blue Resort & Sizzling Springs
Deep Blue Resort & Sizzling Springs is Warrnambool’s icon for relaxation, leisure and rejuvenation. With an idealistic coastal location, visitors relaxation comfortably in lodge rooms adorned in gentle seaside tones and with many boasting ocean or partial ocean views to admire the encompassing seashores, strolling tracks and coastal sights.
Every room gives further comforts for the trendy day traveller with in-room motion pictures and leisure. The Deep Blue supplies the right setting to take pleasure in a snug night time’s keep or for these with slightly extra time a go to to the Indoor Tub home, Swimming Pool, Day spa, Sauna, Salt Remedy and extra.
Deep Blue Resort & Sizzling Springs, Worm Bay Highway, Warrnambool, +61 3 5559 2000, reservations@thedeepblue.com.au
For extra lodging choices in Warrnambool, I like to recommend trying out CozyCozy, a web site that permits you to examine costs of lodging throughout a number of on-line reserving websites.
The place to cease when driving to Warrnambool
There are two main freeway routes to get to Warrnambool – alongside the Princes Hwy or alongside the winding coastal Nice Ocean Highway.
You may also e-book a 2-day Nice Ocean Highway tour from Melbourne to see all the foremost websites and cease at standard spots alongside the best way.
We take the sooner inland route and stopped at Winchelsea and Camperdown on the best way there and Colac on the best way again.
Cafe La Hoot Winchelsea
The right pit cease for travellers on the Princes Freeway. It’s subsequent to the Barwon River, a playground, BBQ space, public rest room block and public pool. The cafe is definitely inside an outdated home and the primary room is ideal for kids, with excessive chairs, plenty of toys and a hand-carved wood rocking boxing kangaroo!
Café La Hoot 1 Willis St, Winchelsea +61 407 528 999
The Snout Camperdown
A constructing that was a financial institution, a grocery retailer and {an electrical} store is now a captivating cafe with retro furnishings, a small providore and a menu of excellent easy meals.
It’s slightly little bit of Melbourne cafe tradition within the nation and I take pleasure in my corn and zucchini fritters, stacked excessive with avocado and smoked salmon.
The Snout 243 Manifold Avenue, Camperdown 03 5593 3303
The Farmer’s Son Colac
A preferred cafe with the locals and on the freeway. The meals and low are respectable and can it get you thru the final leg of your journey again to Melbourne. They’ve excessive chairs and children books and get can busy on weekends.
The Farmer’s Son 136 Murray St, Colac, Victoria 52315666
- Earlier than your journey, examine native occasion calendars for family-friendly actions and occasions. Warrnambool usually hosts occasions appropriate for teenagers, including additional pleasure to your go to.
- Should you’re inquisitive about whale watching at Logan’s Seaside, plan your go to between June and September when Southern Proper Whales frequent the realm.
- Warrnambool’s climate will be changeable, particularly close to the coast. To take advantage of Warrnambool vacationer sights, pack layers and be ready for various temperatures.
- Cease by the Warrnambool Customer Info Centre for maps, brochures, and extra suggestions. The pleasant workers can present insights into present sights and family-friendly actions.
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