Off the Beaten Track
Warrnambool To WangoomBeyond the beaches and city lifestyle of Warrnambool hides natural and eclectic gems for you to discover in the surrounding areas. This road trip, put together with the help of traveller reviews on facebook and tripadvisor, will take you 10-20 minutes outs of the centre of Warrnambool and off the beaten track to some truly unique experiences.
Hopkins Falls
Warrnambool to Wangoom
Hopkins Falls
Measuring 90 metres wide and plunging 12 metres over dark basalt rocks, the curtain-like Hopkins Falls is the largest in the Hopkins River. Take in the views from the two viewing platforms overlooking the falls and take the easy path from to the platform below for postcard-worthy snaps. (Look out for the camera stands, too – who needs a selfie stick?). Visit the falls in winter to see them at their most impressive and to keep an eye out for baby eels jumping the rocky ledges during their winter migration.
Hopkins Falls is just a 15-kilometre drive from Warrnambool. A popular picnic spot, the area above the falls has barbecue and toilet facilities.
This area has a small car park which is directly at the top of the falls. There are a couple of viewing areas at the top to get views from different angles. There's Also a Fotopole where you can screw on your camera to take photos. An easy path with narrow steps takes you down to the bottom to get a full on view of the waterfall. Since it was winter when we were there, although a clear sunny day, there was plenty of water flowing over. At the bottom there's another Fotopole. There's a picnic area just near the car park and local fauna can he found. Don't forget to look up into the gum trees as we saw a Koala which was not very far from the path. A lovely spot to stop and enjoy the beauty of the area & have a picnic.
Hopkins Falls
Warrnambool to Wangoom
Wangoom Store
Warrnambool to Wangoom
On arriving to the Wangoom Store you are greeted with a friendly warm smile and instantly offered 1 of their delicious cups of tea or coffee. Once inside you can not help but walk around their amazing arrangements of gifts, ornaments and paintings while enjoying the warmth of the open fire... Once you think you have seen all they have to offer you come across the 'handbag room', every lady's dream room. So next time you are planning ti meet a friend for a cuppa go to the Wangoom Store and believe you me you will NOT be disappointed
(Review from Kylie Heard via Facebook)
Cute, little, out of the way tea rooms. The chips were piping hot, the fish was very tasty and the scone with jam and cream heavenly.
Wangoom Store
Warrnambool to Wangoom
George Taylor's Vintage Motorcycle Collection
Warrnambool to Warrnambool
If you are into motorbikes on any level then this is a great way to spend an hour. Well we went looking for it and what a find. Just out of Warrnambool on our way to Hopkins Falls, we came across a hardware shop on the junction of Grassmere Rd. Out front a tiny little sign advertising a vintage motorcycle collection.
Park outside and walk in up the stairs and just walk around the top. But it is free with a donation box at the top of the stairs which goes towards the primary school.
So not only will this keep you busy for awhile, you can also get any sort of rural supplies there along with a pair of gumboots.
There were quite a few things I could have taken if only they didn't have to go interstate. Take the 4WD!
A pleasant distraction in an area that is really devoid of much to do unless you have little kids. We even got extreme satisfaction in being stuck at the road junction for the local farmers cows to cross over for milking. Almost the highlight of the day.
George Taylor's Vintage Motorcycle Collection
Warrnambool to Warrnambool
Mailors Flatt Antiques
Warrnambool to Mailors Flat
(Review from Type_rider via Tripadvisor)
We visited this great antique center in may 2017 what a treasure trove of items. There were four sheds crammed with demolition goods waiting to be recycled, and loads of collectables, what a great way to fill in an hour or two.
This shop has that 'middle of no-where discovery' feel to it. Packed into a shed just off the highway, the display is ordered and well laid out, and easy to navigate through. As most of the items are packed around a theme in that area, it is easy to find the kind of pieces you are looking for. It's worth a hunt around for the traveller-antiquer.
Don't forget to check out the old fashioned tram that functions as a cool and creepy showroom.
Mailors Flatt Antiques
Warrnambool to Mailors Flat
Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve
Warrnambool to Tower Hill
(Review from 2011lap via Tripadvisor)
Went here first for a dusk walk - this was led by Shannon who was interesting and very knowledgeable about the wildlife and fauna - saw kangaroos, koalas, emus and wallabies. Liked the place so much we went under our own steam in the daytime - lots of pleasant walks to do - saw wallabies, kangaroos, koala, a snake and turtles (yes, turtles - on the path by the lake). A few different walking trails to choose from with a visitors centre where you can get coffee and a snack. This place is authentic, the wildlife is wild - they deserve to be successful.
Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve
Warrnambool to Tower Hill
