warrnambool
As one of the locals said, there isn’t a bad day in Warrnambool. It’s either good weather, better weather or perfect shipwreck weather! With the cold, wet, windy days we had experienced, we can see how this place has been infamously dubbed the shipwreck coast!
After a huge day exploring the Great Ocean Road in the rain and cold, pulling into Warrnambool for a warm apple pie and hot shower was the perfect way to end the day. We spent two nights on Gunditjmara Country, staying at Warrnambool Riverside Holiday Park. A great spacious park with an indoor pool, jumping pillow and playground. We also managed to be staying when the managers were cooking up some free pancakes! The caravan park was roughly 10mins from the town centre of Warrnambool and was located along the Hopkins River. Warrnambool is a fantastic place to stock up on anything that you need as there are multiple supermarkets, hardware stores and clothes stores.
Warrnambool has so much history but one of the main reasons for visiting was to live out our warriors' ‘Oddball’ bucket list destination and to learn more about the shipwreck coast. Middle Island is a wildlife sanctuary that is home to breeding colonies of little penguins. The island can only be accessed during particular months of the year as the tidal currents keep it isolated for the other parts of the year. Only trained professionals are permitted to visit the island to research, however the Penguin Protectors Warrnambool provide an experience to meet a maremma during Summer and the Easter school holidays down at Breakwater. If you would like to make a donation to the Middle Island Project, please click here. There are so many attractions in Warrnambool so staying the two nights was perfect.
Warrnambool has so much history but one of the main reasons for visiting was to live out our warriors' ‘Oddball’ bucket list destination and to learn more about the shipwreck coast. Middle Island is a wildlife sanctuary that is home to breeding colonies of little penguins. The island can only be accessed during particular months of the year as the tidal currents keep it isolated for the other parts of the year. Only trained professionals are permitted to visit the island to research, however the Penguin Protectors Warrnambool provide an experience to meet a maremma during Summer and the Easter school holidays down at Breakwater. If you would like to make a donation to the Middle Island Project, please click here. There are so many attractions in Warrnambool so staying the two nights was perfect.
flagstaff hill museum and village
What a way to learn about the history of Warrnambool from the Dreamtime, to whalers and shipwrecks. At Flagstaff Hill Museum and Village, you are transported back into the 19th century. We explored the village and experienced the stories of these early settlers. Scenes from the movie Oddball were also filmed here. There are opportunities to visit the confectionery store to purchase some ol' fashioned lollies or visit the Sail Maker's Loft to make your own wooden masterpiece with the Triton Woodworkers (during the school holidays only - activities change each school holiday period). With the weather being on the chilly side with a spot of rain here and there, the tearooms were the perfect place to dine by the fireplace while we ate homemade scones and soups for lunch. If you are visiting outside of the Summer and Easter school holidays, the Penguin Protectors Warrnambool offer educational talks at Flagstaff Museum and Village. Be sure to secure your ticket on arrival. We learnt all about how the maremma dogs are trained to protect the fairy penguins on Middle Island and were able to meet a maremma. Interesting fact for those who have seen the movie, Oddball was in fact only on the island for four weeks before he was over it so he ran all the way back to Swampy’s farm. Other maremma dogs have been doing the hard yards since!
the sound and light show
The true magic comes at night with the light and sound show called ‘Tales of the Shipwreck Coast’ at Flagstaff Hill Museum and Village. You start with a lantern walk back through the village followed by the most incredible show that uses water projection on a nine metre water wall, fog effects and strobe lighting! The seats also rattle and shake to immerse you into the shipwreck voyages. It was raining again that night so be sure to pack raincoats to get you through the village walk. This would have to be the best night show display that we have seen during our holiday. You can purchase a day and night package which saves you 30% off the day entry ticket.
port fairy
After reading about the beauty of Port Fairy, we just had to make the 30min trip one-way to visit! The water was pristine and the scenery breathtaking. The little town boasts charm and a sense of slowness. Be sure to pay a visit to Griffiths Island Lighthouse. She was a thing of beauty! To visit the lighthouse, park at Matins Point Reserve where there is space to park your caravan. Follow the footpath that leads to the island and then on the causeway, you will find a sign that offers to paths that will take you to the lighthouse. We chose the shorter walk past the pristine waters and then along the gravel track. Keep a look out for stingrays and wallabies!
After 3 cold and wet days at Warrnambool, it was time to head inland to continue our travels. We were stoked to have ticked this magic place off our bucket list. Following the coastline along the Great Ocean Road, through Port Campbell and then onto Warrnambool was magic. Off to Ballarat we headed...
Peace + love,
Peace + love,