Warrnambool Harbour by Marcus Wong

Warrnambool Vic 3280
(Pop 30 600)

Warrnambool is a major West Victorian port at the end of the Great Ocean Road 260 km s-w of Melbourne. It is surrounded by the Merri and Hopkins Rivers and sits on a treacherous section of coastline that has accounted for over 80 shipwrecks. Original inhabitants were the Kuurn Kopan Noot Aborigines and the town’s name derives from their word for ‘two swamps’. Following seasonal whalers and sealers, graziers settled the area in 1840s and it became an important port for the shipping of wool, wheat and dairy produce. Warrnambool is known for its safe beaches, parks, gardens, great fishing and moderate climate. Today, manufacturing, dairy plants, a Fletcher Jones clothing factory (1948) and tourism account for the area’s thriving economy. Warrnambool Markets (each Sun) & Hillside Market (2^nd Sun each month). Summer Music Festival (Jan), Wunta Fiesta (Feb), Victorian Heritage Festival (Mar), Rhapsody in June Music Festival, Warrnambool Road Cycling Classic (Oct), Warrnambool Show (Oct).

Tourist Attractions & Info:
Historic Warrnambool includes Christ Church (1854), Whalers Inn (1856), Courthouse (1871), St Joseph’s Catholic Church (1872), St John’s Presbyterian Church (1875), ‘Ierne’ (1883). Warrnambool Regional Art Gallery (Timor St) (1886) Australian and European 19^th & 20^th century artworks. Open (12-5pm) daily. History House (Gilles St) (1876) local history documents, photographs & memorabilia. Open (2pm-4pm) (1^st Sun of month and every Sun in Jan). Warrnambool Botanic Gardens (Botanic Rd) attractive gardens designed in 1877 with winding walkways, a fernery, band rotunda and many waterbirds. Fletcher Jones Gardens (Raglan Pde) award-winning, colourful, popular landscaped gardens created on a former quarry site in 1948 when the company built its factory here. Wollaston Bridge (Wollaston Rd) historic (1890) and unusual bridge over the Merri River. Middle Island (low tide access off Breakwater road) home to a small fairy penguin settlement and site of Aboriginal middens. Stingray Bay sheltered swimming at the Merri River mouth and great trout fishing.  Reserves include Thunder Point Coastal, Levy’s Point Coastal and Payne. Hopkins River Estuary (east Warrnambool) beautiful rock formations, rock pools, cliffs, walking trails, great fishing and Hopkins River Lookout at Point Ritchie.

Nearby:
Tower Hill State Game Reserve (12 km n-w) 614 ha park located in an extinct volcano crater with evidence of Aboriginal occupation. There are several interesting walking tracks - Lava Tongue Boardwalk (wetlands - 30 min), Whurrong Loop Track (Aboriginal foods - 1 hour)  Hat Island Habitat Loop Track (revegetation - 45 mins), Journey to the Last Volcano (geological - 1 hour) and Peak Climb (orientation – difficult walk). Hopkins Falls (13 km n-e) lovely falls with great fishing, walking trails and picnic areas. Historic Shipwreck Coast Trail 110 km portion of the Great Ocean Rd between Moonlight Head (east) & Port Fairy (west) following the coastline where 163 shipwrecks have occurred. The Mahogany Walking Track 22 km well signposted trail extending from Warrnambool to Port Fairy. Koroit (18 km n-w) lovely National Trust buildings, botanic gardens, interesting shops and Irish Festival (Apr).

Accommodation:
Warrnambool has about 25 motels, 10 hotels, 7 caravan parks and many holiday apartments. Visitor Information Centre: Adjacent Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum, Merri St. Tel (03) 5564 7837 or 1800 637 725.