Warrnambool: The Stuff Family Memories are Made Of
As a local kid that grew up in Warrnambool, I’ve now got kids of my own here, and it’s fair to say this place has so many magnificent things to experience as a family, all year round. In one weekend you can go from standing on the rugged South West coastline gazing out into the wild ocean, to sampling a drop of whisky at the Timboon Distillery or tasting locally made cheeses at Great Ocean Road Cheeseworld. Plus, there’s plenty of active adventure to have in between.
Thundering Hopkins Falls
The Hopkins Falls is a beaut place to take the kids and is only a 10 minute drive from Warrnambool. Winter is by far the best time to see the falls – especially after a heavy downpour. Watching the torrent of water belt down the 90 metre drop from the Hopkins River is a wild, loud, and thrilling experience. With a stunning picnic ground, this really is a hidden local gem I’d encourage every visitor to check out. Just take a quick detour from either the Princes or Hopkins highways and follow the signs.
Hit the Laneway Art Trail
Warrnambool is famous for its arts and culture and we’re lucky to have an emerging street art movement that adorns the walls of several laneways and other public spaces. These masterpieces tell local stories about our community and unique natural landscape. From the fun and funky to the reflective and thought-provoking, the artworks are constantly evolving. It’s a real eye opener for the kids, so rug up and let your feet take you on an inspiring journey through the city centre.
Choose your own adventure at Lake Pertobe
My whole life I’ve been a regular at Lake Pertobe Adventure Playground. From a little tacker and now with my own kids, I’ve watched it improve time and time again over the years and, today, it has a multitude of playgrounds for different ages and abilities. Of course there’s the famous flying fox (my favourite) and the maze (with public art), along with the paddle boats and motor boats for hire. Plus some nice and easy short walks along the winding paths, footbridges and islands. It’s always a hive of activity any time of year with undercover barbecues too (get there early to claim yours), plenty of parking, plus huge lawn areas to kick the footy. Make sure you check out the new bocce court too if you’re up for a bit of friendly local competition.Night history lesson at Flagstaff Hill
Few visitors (and even some locals) are aware of the history surrounding our wild shipwreck coast. Probably the best and most exciting lesson you can have is at the multi-million dollar Flagstaff Hill Sound and Light Show. The story is told using lights, sounds and images in the maritime village that makes you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. Friendly tip; make sure you wear an extra coat as you’ll be outside at night time for the most part.Look out for whales
The whales can be fickle to find in winter, but they’re always cruising along the Great Ocean Road at some point. On a whim, I head to Logans Beach Whale Nursery on the outskirts of Warrnambool. If I’m lucky, I’ll see a mother and her newborn calf putting on a show. It’s luck-of-the-draw, but totally worth investing the time to see these massive, beautiful creatures. Make sure you take your own binoculars, as nobody likes sharing theirs once they see a whale!Discover Your Next Adventure
Explore more places to stay, play, and reconnect with nature in the Great Ocean Road Region
