Beautiful Southwest Victoria, Australia

The Outdoor Delights of Warrnambool and Surrounds

Get ready to set sail on a stunning historical and adventurous exploration of the unique natural wonders of Warrnambool and its surrounds. Did you know that Tower Hill was once an active volcano?

Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve

Founded in 1892 by Nicholas Baudin, Tower Hill formed 30,000 years ago—before it was even discovered! Currently, it is a dormant volcano, meaning it hasn’t erupted in a long time, but it still could erupt one day. The Dhauwurd Wurrung people are the traditional owners of Tower Hill. The Dhauwurd Wurrung name for Tower Hill is Koroitj.

Logans Beach (Whales)

Almost every year, between June and September, female southern right whales return to the waters of Warrnambool's Logans Beach to calve. 

The females migrate to the nursery areas to bear their calves, while the males, yearlings, and young adults remain further out to sea. 

The southern right whale got its name from whalers who called it the "right" whale to hunt. Be sure to visit, as the viewing platform is easy and free to access, and open at all times.

Thunder Point & Stingray Bay

Thunder Point is one of the best places in Warrnambool to watch the amazing sunsets. It is the place to enjoy some of the best coastal views in the area. The car park faces the ocean, so if the weather is chilly, you can still enjoy the vista without leaving your car. At the far end of the car park, there is a trail that leads to Shelly Beach and Levy’s Beach, with rock pools, rock outcrops, and sandy beaches laced with glistening crushed shells. It’s about a kilometre walk from the Thunder Point car park.

Point Ritchie/Moyjil

The geological significance of Point Ritchie/Moyjil has long been recognised due to the presence of archaeological sites in the form of shell middens and associated artefact scatters dating to the late Holocene (up until c. 6000 years ago) in the dunes along this section of the Victorian coast. However, recent research has confirmed that deposits at Point Ritchie/Moyjil contain evidence of human activity of much greater antiquity.

Bluehole

Between 1st April and 30th November, dogs are allowed off-leash on the east side of the river, where they can go for a dip and play in the sand. Just don’t forget your dog bags! Hopkins River mouth (known locally as the Bluehole), with its beautiful cliffs, rock formations, and rock pools, is popular with anglers, dog owners, and walkers. If you’re bringing your four-legged friend on your visit to Warrnambool, this will undoubtedly be its favourite spot.

Killarney Beach

Killarney was named after a place in Ireland called Killarney. Killarney Beach isn’t just a beach; there’s a rural town settled mainly by Irish potato and onion growers. Killarney Beach boasts sheltered, lagoon-like pools that provide protection from the vast ocean, making it a beautiful beach for swimming, snorkelling, and paddling. Killarney Beach is one kilometre long!

Griffith Island

There are over 80 bird species recorded on the island, predominantly seabirds and waders. Among the birds you’re likely to see are sandpipers and pied oystercatchers. The island is named after John Griffith, an entrepreneur and merchant from Launceston in northern Tasmania. John was famous for establishing Port Fairy’s whaling industry.

Shipwreck Coast

Did you know that a key feature of the Shipwreck Coast is the priceless Minton statue? (Australia's most valuable shipwreck artefact), worth over $4 million today. Also, not many people know this about Shipwreck Bay: it is named for the more than 700 shipwrecks found underwater. By the way, the maritime village of Flagstaff Hill was built in the 1960s.

Botanical Gardens (History)

The Warrnambool Botanical Gardens cover 8.1 hectares or 81,000 square metres. The gardens were made public in 1859. Previously, the area was a howling wilderness, heavily timbered with dense undergrowth of scrub, ferns, and tussocky grasses.

Warrnambool and its natural surrounds offer a never-ending adventure, where raw nature and natural beauty collide to provide a breathtaking scene for anyone who chooses to explore. The outdoors in this district may be relatively unknown on a global scale, but the history is respected by those who visit, and the aesthetics are admired.