Planning for a long weekend? What about Warrnambool?
The historic former port city of Warrnambool is located right at the end of this famous drive and proves to be a great destination in its own right. With many family-friendly sights and attractions, activities and delicious food options, why not plan a long weekend away in Warrnambool with a return trip via the famous Great Ocean Road?
DAY 1: A Vivid History Lesson
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum
We began our family adventure in Warrnambool with a visit to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. This open-air museum, made up of historic buildings, recreates a port town from the early days of Australian colonisation.
After a light lunch in the Tea Rooms, we explored the village, the kids armed with a treasure map that encouraged them to dig deeper. The village features a bank, a church, a school, a sailmaker’s workshop, a doctor’s cottage, period shops, a waterfront, and much more.
Learning is woven into the experience—each building is lovingly decorated, with informative signs, posters, and volunteers dressed in period costumes offering insights into early colonial life. Back then, travel and goods were transported by ship, carefully navigating the treacherous coastline.
-
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum & Village
89 Merri Street, Warrnambool
Evening
That evening, we dined at The Cally Hotel, located in the heart of Warrnambool on Fairy Street. Offering a variety of pub meals, and kid-friendly meals, it’s a perfect family spot. Many diners, like us, booked their table to catch the Shipwrecked! Sound and Laser Show.
This captivating after-dark experience brought the tragic tale of a British clipper ship that never reached Melbourne to life. The show tells a bittersweet story of survival, with one crew member rescuing an Irish woman—the only survivors of the shipwreck. The show includes artefacts and first-hand family accounts, adding a personal touch to this historical tragedy.
-
The Cally Hotel
112-114 Fairy Street, Warrnambool
DAY 2: Nature Experiences, Local Art, and Lots of Fun for the Kids
Start the day the right way
We stayed at Surfside Holiday Park, located on Pertobe Road, an ideal choice for families or groups. With many playgrounds throughout the park and plenty of open space, Surfside offers guests lots of options for safe play areas for the kids. There’s a tennis rebound wall, a basketball hoop, and open spaces to play cricket or kick the footy. A bonus is the pedestrian tunnel that links the park to the Lake Pertobe Adventure Playground area.
We enjoyed a peaceful early morning walk around Lake Pertobe, while the kids scooted along the sealed paths. Too lazy to cook breakfast, we headed to Pavilion Café. A short drive with plenty of parking, and afterwards, we took a stroll along the breakwater. This café was the perfect start to our day.
-
Pavilion Cafe
Viaduct Road, Warrnambool
A visit to Port Fairy
After breakfast, we headed to Port Fairy, a historic port city just 20 minutes away. Along the way, we had booked a tour at Ocean Road Abalone, where we had the chance to learn about the abalone growth cycle and the farm’s sustainable practices. The tour was led by dedicated aquaculturists, each with extensive knowledge of the abalone industry, providing fascinating insights into this unique marine operation.
In Port Fairy, we stopped for lunch at The Stump, a charming local spot with hearty meals and a relaxed vibe. After lunch, we took a walk around Griffiths Island out to the lighthouse. The island, home to a shearwater colony, is connected to the mainland by a pedestrian causeway. Although we didn’t spot any birds, the fresh sea breeze and midday sun made the walk a pleasant experience. At the lighthouse, families with young children play on the sheltered beach, collecting sticks, shells, and driftwood.
-
Griffith Island Lighthouse
Port Fairy
Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve
On our way back to Warrnambool in the afternoon, we visited Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve, one of the highlights of our Warrnambool weekend trip. This massive dormant volcano rises above the coastal plains between Warrnambool and Port Fairy. At the entrance, we spotted an echidna, much to the kids’ excitement. Even without a guided tour, we saw emus, koalas, and kangaroos just by the car park and picnic grounds.
-
Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve
105 Lake View Rd, Tower Hill
DAY 3: The Famous Great Ocean Road
Bay of Islands Coastal Park
On our way back to Melbourne, we joined the Great Ocean Road at Allansford (home to Great Ocean Road Cheese World) and made our first stop at the Bay of Islands Coastal Park. This coastal park offers easy access to the stunning wonders of the Great Ocean Road.
We followed a short walking track to the viewing platform, where we were rewarded with spectacular views of limestone stacks and islands clinging to the wild waters of the Southern Ocean. The raw beauty of the scene reminded us of the shipwrecked clipper’s tragic tale we’d learned about earlier in the trip. This stretch of coast is ever-changing, with the limestone formations slowly succumbing to the powerful ocean currents.
-
Bay of Islands
Bay of Islands Track, Peterborough
More coastal highlights
Along the way, we made several spontaneous stops to explore other viewpoints, such the stunning Grotto, and the famous London Bridge, a testament to the forces of coastal erosion.
Our final stop along the Great Ocean Road was the renowned 12 Apostles—a group of limestone stacks rising dramatically from the Southern Ocean in Port Campbell National Park. Though it was busy, it’s easy to see why this spot is so popular. The view, with waves crashing against the limestone pillars and cliffs glowing in shades of ochre and gold, was nothing short of breathtaking.
For a moment, I felt humbled by the sheer scale of these ancient formations, knowing that, despite their strength, they are slowly being worn away by the relentless ocean.
-
12 Apostles Viewing Platform
Great Ocean Road, Princetown
