Warrnambool

• Summary
• Weather for Warrnambool

Few places can boast such a beautiful location as Warrnambool. Nestled into the rising contour of the Shipwreck Coast amid green dairying countryside, the city overlooks the deep blue of the powerful Southern Ocean.

As the only city on the rugged Shipwreck Coast, it is not surprising that Warrnambool has had a long and colourful history. Today it showcases that past in many exciting ways, enjoying a reputation as an excellent holiday spot. Located on the wide sweep of Lady Bay, the city also has marvellous beaches on its doorstep and these attract the crowds during warmer months.

The city has a thriving arts and events scene, excellent restaurants serving the best of fresh local produce and a relaxed caf culture, most evident at the bottom end of Liebig Street. National Trust listed Proudfoots Boathouse, built in 1885 and of great historical and architectural significance. Today the building house a restaurant and a sports club.

Even in the cooler parts of the year, the beach is a great place to stroll with interesting coastal features around the mouths of the Merri and Hopkins rivers - Pickering Point, Thunder Point and Point Ritchie - to explore. There are also numerous coastal reserves and walking tracks with secluded beaches and rocky points, penguin colonies, and some good places for fishing, bird watching and whale watching in season.

There are many beautiful attractions close to Warrnambool, that are easily accessible and definitely worth a visit. Take in the spectacular ocean views at the Bay of Islands Coastal park, or explore the Tower Hill Game Reserve, a volcanic formation believed to be 30,000 years old.

The Merri Marine Sanctuary is home to a plethora of unique marine life and at the Logan Beach whale nursery you can spot giant Southern Right Whales and their calves between the months of July and September.