Discovery Holiday Parks
Warrnambool, Great Ocean Road, VIC

Activities & Attractions

4 Day Itinerary

Day 1 Whale Watching

Almost every year between June and September, female Southern Right whales return to the waters Warrnambool’s Logan’s Beach to calve.
The whales often swim within a hundred metres of the shore and can be viewed from the beach or sand dunes via a specially constructed whale viewing platform.

Why do the whales come to Warrnambool?

The magnificent Southern Right whales have been visiting Warrnambool for hundreds of years. Once, they were hunted almost to the point of extinction, but since whaling was outlawed in 1935, their numbers have been growing. In Summer, Southern Right whales live in the sub-Antarctic. In winter, they migrate to warmer waters around the southern areas of Australia. The females migrate to the “nursery” areas close to the shore to bear their calves, while the males, yearlings and young adults remain further out to sea. The females generally stay in the nursery for many weeks, allowing the calves to feed and gather strength for their journey back to the sub-Antarctic waters.

Practical viewing tips

• Call the Visitor Information Centre beforehand to check for the most recent sightings
• Sometimes whales may not be visible at Logan’s Beach, even though they are in the region - make time for multiple visits
• Please keep off the fragile vegetation and sand dunes, and use the facilities provided
• Binoculars or a telescope can enhance viewing
• Be prepared for windy or wet conditions
• Nearest toilets - 1 km away located at Hopkins River

Information for visiting Warrnambool Whale Nursery

LOCATION OF PLATFORM: Logans Beach Road, off Hopkins Point Road, Warrnambool
OPENING HOURS : The platform is open at all times
COST: This is a free access site

BEST VIEWING TIMES : Whales visit the region June - Sept each year

Day 2 Tower Hill

Tower Hill Reserve, nestled inside a dormant volcano, is today a beautiful haven for wildlife thanks to the efforts of Friends of Tower Hill and volunteers. A lake and wetland are features of the reserve, and during years of average rainfall it is not uncommon to see the wetland completely immersed in water.

Koalas, emus, kangaroos, sugar gliders and many species of water birds, including the graceful black swans roam freely throughout the reserve, often within clear view. Located only 14km west of Warrnambool on the Princes Highway, Tower Hill is popular among people of all ages for picnics, nature walks and wildlife watching.

Worn Gundidj Visitor Centre
This outstanding Centre features cultural displays and locally-produced authentic Aboriginal Products, and is managed in partnership with Parks Victoria by Worn Gundidj Aboriginal Cooperative. Founded in 1992, the cooperative is a not-for-profit organisation which harmonises contemporary artistic creation and nature-based tourism. 

Open Monday to Friday 9.00am-5.00pm
Weekends and public holidays 10.00am-4.00pm

Day 3 Shipwreck Sound And Laser Show

Overlooking the infamous Shipwreck Coast of Victoria on the Great Ocean Road, Flagstaff Hill is an extraordinary experience that, by day, takes visitors on a rich journey of discovery through an early Australian coastal port. The State Heritage Listed site is a step back when the superhighway was the sea

By Night, step onboard the Loch Ard in a world class sound and laser show as the wild seas take the lives of all but two young teenagers - it's the voyage of a lifetime!

Kids will also love the new SEA CHEST CHALLENGE TRAIL through the precinct, as well as the Animal Feed Bag given to all children to feed our farm animals.

The Flagstaff Hill Maritime Precinct is situated within an hour’s drive of the 12 Apostles at Warrnambool on the Great Ocean Road.

Flagstaff Hill is Warrnambool’s premier attraction providing the vital link between the culture and heritage of the Shipwreck Coast and the contemporary Great Ocean Road experience.

BY DAY...an interactive, 1870s maritime village & museum. Flagstaff Hill’s State Heritage listed site and maritime village is set on 10 acres and reflects the pioneering atmosphere of an 1870’s coastal port.

Experience first hand the perils of early sea travel as you explore The Gravesend Theatre, audiovisual presentations, interactive displays, and the relics & treasures recovered from various shipwrecks in the Great Circle Gallery, and of course the priceless Minton earthenware statue, the Loch Ard Peacock, Australia’s most valuable shipwreck relic.

The Flagstaff Hill Precinct also contains the state heritage listed Lady Bay Lighthouse complex and Warrnambool Garrison area. Some of the world's rarest and most significant cannons are contained in the Warrnambool Garrison area.

Note: If booking made with Discovery Holiday Park we will pass on a 10% discount on all tickets purchases.

Day 4 Local Parks, Gardens & Rivers

Lake Pertobe Adventure Playground
Warrnambool’s fantastic Lake Pertobe Adventure Playground is a year-round family attraction. This 20 hectare adventure playground is paradise for kids with giant slides, flying foxes, a maze and boat rides. There are lovely walking tracks around the lakes, and the park features delightful picnic areas and sheltered BBQ facilities.
The Lake Pertobe precinct is also h ome to other sporting facilities such as lawn tennis courts, mini golf, an athletics track and nearby skateboard park.
 
Botanic Gardens
Warrnambool’s Botanic Gardens were designed by William Guilfoyle in 1879, shortly after he completed the Melbourne Royal Botanic Gardens. Designed in the classic style, these elegant sheltered gardens feature wide curving paths, ancient trees, a lily pond with ducks, fernery and a band rotunda.

LOCATION: Cnr Queens Road & Cockman Street.

Cannon Hill
Cannon Hill offers panoramic views of Lady Bay and Lake Pertobe. A Portuguese Padrao commemorates early Portuguese exploration of the Warrnambool area. BBQs, a rotunda and car parking available.
LOCATION: Adjacent to the War Memorial, off Artillery Cres.

Fletcher Jones Gardens
The gardens surround the former clothing factory of the same name, founded in Warrnambool in 1948. The colourful gardens, once the site of a quarry, also feature Sir Fletcher Jones’ hawker wagon, a waterfall and wishing well.
LOCATION: Cnr Flaxman Street & Raglan Parade.

Hopkins Falls
Hopkins Falls are set against lush dairy country. They make an ideal picnic, fishing and walking spot, with gas BBQs and toilets provided. For a few days in early summer each year, the baby eels migrate upstream over the falls.
LOCATION: 13km north east of Warrnambool.

Hopkins River
The Hopkins River mouth (Blue Hole) with its beautiful cliffs, rock formations and rock pools is a popular fishing spot. Just up from the river mouth, boating, water-skiing and swimming are possible. Nearby is the National Trust-classified Proudfoots Boat-house.
LOCATION: Off Otway Road.

Merri River
The Merri River lies to the west of the city, meandering through wetlands before emerging at Stingray Bay, in the Thunder Point Coastal Reserve. The Merri is regarded as one of Victoria’s finest brown trout streams.