Photographing Warrnambool
About Warrnambool
Warrnambool is a coastal city in south-west Victoria, situated near the western end of the Great Ocean Road and overlooking the Southern Ocean. Surrounded by rolling dairy country, volcanic landscapes and a rugged coastline, it makes an excellent base for landscape, seascape, wildlife and heritage photography.
The coast around Warrnambool forms part of Victoria's famous Shipwreck Coast, providing photographers with rocky headlands, reefs, beaches, cliffs, islands and frequently dramatic seas. Within a relatively small area it is possible to photograph everything from crashing waves and colourful sunsets to waterfalls, historic lighthouses, Southern Right Whales, koalas, emus and kangaroos.
Warrnambool also has an interesting maritime history. Flagstaff Hill overlooks Lady Bay and contains the city's historic lighthouse precinct and Maritime Village, while the harbour and breakwater provide reminders of Warrnambool's development as an important nineteenth-century port.
For photographers, one of Warrnambool's greatest attractions is the variety of subjects available without travelling large distances.
Viewpoints
1. Thunder Point
Probably Warrnambool's premier sunset photography location. The elevated viewing areas look west and south across rocky reefs, islands and the Southern Ocean.
Warrnambool City Council itself describes Thunder Point as probably the city's best place to watch the sunset.
Best for: sunsets, seascapes, long exposures, storm photography and rugged coastal landscapes.
Best light: late afternoon through blue hour.
Photography tip: Don't restrict yourself to the main lookout. A walking track continues towards Shelly Beach and Levy's Beach, where rock pools and rocky foregrounds provide much stronger compositions. The walk is roughly 1 km and includes uneven terrain.
A wide-angle lens in the 16–35 mm range is particularly useful, together with ND and graduated filters.
2. Warrnambool Breakwater
The long breakwater at the western end of Lady Bay is one of Warrnambool's classic photographic subjects.
Good compositions can be made looking along the breakwater towards the harbour entrance, particularly when waves are breaking against the structure.
Best for: sunrise and sunset, long exposures, waves, fishing boats and stormy weather.
Best light: sunrise can illuminate Lady Bay beautifully, while late afternoon often produces dramatic side-light on the breakwater.
During rough weather, photograph from a safe distance rather than walking onto exposed sections of the breakwater.
3. Stingray Bay and Middle Island
Immediately west of the breakwater is one of Warrnambool's most attractive small coastal landscapes.
The Merri River reaches the sea here, with Middle Island sitting just offshore. The island is famous for its Little Penguin colony and the Maremma guardian-dog conservation program that inspired the film Oddball.
Best for: sunrise, sunset, reflections, Middle Island, coastal landscapes and bird photography.
At low tide, exposed rocks and pools can make excellent foreground elements.
Access to Middle Island itself is restricted to protect the penguins, so photography should be undertaken from the mainland.
4. Logans Beach Whale Watching Platform
Logans Beach is Warrnambool's best-known wildlife photography location.
Female Southern Right Whales regularly visit the waters off Warrnambool during winter to give birth and raise their calves. The purpose-built viewing platform gives an elevated view over the nursery area. Warrnambool tourism sources generally nominate June to September, while Visit Victoria describes the broader season as extending into October.
Best for: Southern Right Whales, dolphins, seabirds and coastal landscapes.
Lens: ideally 300–600 mm for whales, although whales occasionally approach surprisingly close to shore.
Morning light generally works particularly well here.
5. Flagstaff Hill
Flagstaff Hill overlooks Lady Bay and contains Warrnambool's historic lighthouse, maritime buildings, cannons and recreated nineteenth-century port.
The lighthouse was originally constructed on Middle Island in 1859 and relocated to Flagstaff Hill in 1871.
Best for: maritime architecture, lighthouse photography, historical details and views over Lady Bay.
The Maritime Village can also be photographed during its evening sound-and-light experience, which operates nightly around dusk.
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village
6. Lake Pertobe
Lake Pertobe provides a completely different photographic environment only minutes from Warrnambool's coastline.
The lake, wetlands, bridges and surrounding vegetation are particularly useful for photographing waterbirds, reflections and sunrise mist.
Best for: birds, reflections, families, sunrise and misty mornings.
A telephoto lens is useful for bird photography, while a 24–70 mm lens works well for wider environmental photographs.
7. Hopkins River Mouth
The mouth of the Hopkins River at the eastern end of Warrnambool provides attractive combinations of river, sand dunes, beach and ocean.
Best for: sunrise, long exposures, birdlife and minimalist coastal landscapes.
The estuary can be particularly photogenic when calm water provides reflections around sunrise.
How I photographed Warrnambool
What I took - what was in my kit
I took my LowePro Backpack loaded with Canon 5DMkII body, Canon 24-105mm zoom, Manfrotto 190 Tripod, and of course a range of lens wipes, spare batteries, sunscreen and bug repellant. I tended to shoot 28-55mm
Techniques
TBD
Other things to look out for
Several excellent photographic destinations can be reached within approximately an hour of Warrnambool.
Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve — about 15 minutes
One of the area's outstanding wildlife locations.
Tower Hill occupies the crater of a dormant volcano about 14 km west of Warrnambool. Koalas, kangaroos, emus and numerous waterbirds can all be photographed here.
The reserve is also an interesting landscape subject, with volcanic cones, wetlands and crater walls.
Photography: 100–500 mm for wildlife; wide-angle for volcanic landscapes.
Early morning and late afternoon are best.
Hopkins Falls — about 20 minutes
Located approximately 13 km north-east of Warrnambool, Hopkins Falls spreads across a broad section of the Hopkins River and is especially attractive after substantial rain.
Best for: waterfalls and long exposures.
Try shutter speeds between roughly ¼ second and 2 seconds, depending upon water flow.
Winter and spring generally provide the strongest flows.
Childers Cove — about 25–30 minutes
One of the most underrated photographic locations along this section of coastline.
Childers Cove, together with nearby Murnanes Bay and Sandy Cove, contains limestone cliffs, sea stacks, secluded beaches and rock formations reminiscent of the better-known Port Campbell coast. Warrnambool's tourism site describes these coves as potential hidden gems of the Great Ocean Road.
Best for: sunrise, seascapes, sea stacks and dramatic weather.
Allow several hours rather than treating it as a quick roadside stop.
Port Fairy — about 25 minutes
Historic Port Fairy is particularly good for architectural and coastal photography.
Photographic subjects include:
- Griffiths Island lighthouse
- Moyne River and fishing boats
- historic cottages
- East Beach
- Griffiths Island wildlife
- coastal sunsets.
The walk around Griffiths Island is especially worthwhile around late afternoon.
Killarney Beach — about 20 minutes
A quieter alternative to Warrnambool's main beaches, with extensive sand, shallow water and rocky sections.
Excellent for minimalist landscapes and long-exposure photography, particularly around sunrise or sunset.
The Crags — about 20 minutes
A dramatic coastal reserve west of Warrnambool overlooking offshore rock formations and islands.
It is especially good when large Southern Ocean swells are running.
Best for: telephoto landscapes, sunsets, seabirds and dramatic seas.
Bay of Islands Coastal Park — about 45–55 minutes
If you have an hour available, this should be high on a photographer's list.
The Bay of Islands area contains spectacular limestone stacks and cliffs similar to the Twelve Apostles but generally receives fewer visitors.
Look particularly at Bay of Islands, Bay of Martyrs and Massacre Bay.
Sunset can be spectacular.
Location
Flagstaff Hill precinct Address:
89 Merri Street
Warrnambool VIC 3280
Australia
Approximate GPS:
-38.390, 142.481
///vibe.purest.highways (Flagstaff Hill)
How to get there
Driving from Melbourne
Warrnambool is approximately 260 km west of Melbourne.
The quickest route is generally:
Melbourne → Princes Freeway (M1) → Geelong → Colac → Camperdown → Terang → Warrnambool.
Allow approximately 3¼–3¾ hours without lengthy stops.
For photographers, however, there is a much more interesting alternative.
Great Ocean Road route
Travel:
Melbourne → Geelong → Torquay → Lorne → Apollo Bay → Port Campbell → Warrnambool.
This route is considerably longer and should ideally be treated as a full-day journey—or even two days—but provides access to some of Australia's most famous coastal photographic locations including the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge and Gibson Steps.
Train
V/Line operates direct regional train services between Melbourne's Southern Cross Station and Warrnambool via Geelong. Current V/Line timetables list multiple services in each direction.
V/Line Journey Planner and timetables
For photographers carrying substantial camera equipment, a car is considerably more useful once in Warrnambool because many of the best locations—including Tower Hill, Hopkins Falls, Childers Cove and the Bay of Islands—are outside the city.
Bus and coach
Regional coach services connect Warrnambool with a number of Victorian centres, and local buses operate throughout Warrnambool.
Walking and cycling
Once in Warrnambool, several major photographic locations can be explored on foot or bicycle via the foreshore.
The coastal promenade extends approximately 5.7 km from the breakwater along Lady Bay towards the Hopkins River mouth.
A car is still recommended for photographers wanting to explore the surrounding district.
Best time to visit
Warrnambool is photographically worthwhile throughout the year, but different seasons suit different subjects.
Winter — June to August: arguably the most interesting period for serious photography. Southern Right Whales return to the Warrnambool coast, winter storms create dramatic seas, sunrise occurs at a civilised hour, and the surrounding countryside becomes intensely green. The downside is cold, wet and windy weather.
Spring — September to November: probably the best all-round season. The countryside remains green, waterfalls are more likely to have good flow, wildflowers appear, wildlife is active and September can still provide opportunities for Southern Right Whales.
Summer — December to February: best for long evenings, beaches, family photography and colourful sunsets. The landscape can become much drier and waterfalls may carry less water. Sunrise is also very early.
Autumn — March to May: excellent for calmer conditions, softer light and fewer visitors. Autumn can produce beautiful coastal sunsets and is particularly good for landscape photography around Tower Hill and the surrounding farmland.
Best overall photographic period
For a photographer visiting Warrnambool for the first time, I would choose late August through September.
This provides perhaps the best combination of green landscapes, flowing waterfalls, dramatic coastal weather, reasonable sunrise times and the possibility of Southern Right Whales.
For dedicated whale photography, concentrate on June–September, making repeated visits to Logans Beach rather than assuming the whales will be present on any particular day. The Visitor Information Centre publishes information about current whale sightings.
For landscape photography, always check sunrise/sunset direction, tide and swell before visiting Thunder Point, Childers Cove or the Bay of Islands. Some compositions that are ordinary at high tide become excellent when rock shelves and pools appear at lower tide.
Accessability
Warrnambool has many attractions but we found most of them had stairs. Not too many, but enough that wheelchairs would be difficult.
Where to stay
Warrnambool has a large range of accommodation, from hotels and serviced apartments to caravan parks and B&Bs.
Hotels and resorts
Deep Blue Hotel & Hot Springs — At Worm Bay near the coast and particularly convenient for Thunder Point, Stingray Bay and sunset photography. Deep Blue Hotel & Hot Springs
Lady Bay Resort — An excellent location near the harbour, breakwater, Lake Pertobe and coastal walking tracks. Lady Bay Resort
Best Western Olde Maritime — Very conveniently located opposite the Flagstaff Hill area and within walking distance of the harbour and city centre. Best Western Olde Maritime
Apartments
Warrnambool Gallery Apartments — Serviced accommodation suitable for photographers wanting additional space and a longer stay.
Caravan and camping
Discovery Parks - Warrnambool — At Pertobe Road, very convenient for Lake Pertobe, Lady Bay, the breakwater and Thunder Point. Discovery Parks – Warrnambool
BIG4 Tasman Holiday Parks - Warrnambool — Cabins plus caravan and camping accommodation close to central Warrnambool. BIG4 Tasman Holiday Parks – Warrnambool
Bed & Breakfast
Merton Manor Exclusive B & B — A traditional B&B alternative to the larger hotels and holiday parks.
For photographers wanting to shoot sunrise and sunset, I would favour accommodation around Lady Bay / Pertobe Road / Worm Bay, because you can reach the breakwater, Stingray Bay and Thunder Point very quickly.