top picks for a weekend in port fairy/warrnambool

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We had an incredible weekend of family adventures exploring the best of the Great Ocean Road region. Just a few hours gets you to the gorgeous township of Port Fairy where our adventures began…

We stayed at The Southcombe Caravan Park in one of the schmick new 3 bedroom cabins - when I say cabins, they really feel like large, crisp, fresh coastal homes. With views of the ocean and everything you need for a (very) comfortable stay - Mamma loved the gas pot belly, the large rooms (main with ensuite), dishwasher and all the SPACE! The park is surrounded in green hedging for campers so would never feel overcrowded. There is also a small playground and you could easily walk to town centre.

First stop - an incredible seafood dinner on the Moyne River at The Wharf. Graze on a fresh seafood platter as you watch boats sail by. Owner Sean knows his seafood (there is both restaurant and take away, plus he has a boat on the river where you can buy fresh crays) - amazing.

Up early and a 25 minute drive gets you to Warrnambool to the INCREDIBLE Deep Blue Hot Springs. We started with some salt therapy to aid any respiratory woes and then straight into the incredible pools. The geothermal mineral water is sourced directly from the Dilwyn Aquifer where the water is naturally high in temperatures as a result of the earth’ s core temperature. It was raining on the day we went but Mamma thinks this made it even better. Also - who doesn’t love a grotto? This place was stunning.

Need a feed after all that bathing, so we headed into town to eat at The Cally - owner Lucas was very welcoming and the food was delicious - the kiddos spied the arcade room which kept them entertained while we chilled for a bit.

Time to head back to Port Fairy and stretch the legs on Griffiths Island to see the lighthouse - we love a lighthouse. It’s about a 20 minute walk from the bridge and it’s worth it, with the bushy trail and the rocky surrounds of the lighthouse. There are plenty of pretty photos ops. Oh and it’s FREE of course!

About 15 mins out of Port Fairy is Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve. A stunning, protected space that in a dormant volcano crater! So, yes, you drive INTO the crater. There is a carpark here where you can choose between a few different directions for a hike - and a few different lengths - we chose the 20 minute Lava Tongue Boardwalk where we saw koalas, emus and plenty of birdlife. The visitor centre is very cool and was designed by Robin Boyd too! (Currently getting a freshen up). FREE entry.

Before we head home we needed a great feed and so we stopped for lunch at the Woolsthorpe Pub (Union Station Hotel). Um, wow..a stunning space and fantastic food but wait till you see what’s out the back. The best pub playground Mamma has every seen. Apart from a huge grassy space and jumping pillow, the playground is built around gorgeous Elms and you can head up the boardwalk and down the slides, along the climbing wall, the tightrope underneath, AND a separate section further out back with more swings and a flying fox. Amazing.

Time to head home but Mamma must also make special mention of a cute little playground on the water in Port Fairy - complete with wooden Elephant Seal and boat. In Warrnambool you must visit Lake Pertobe Adventure Playground, it is an EPIC playground with water play, HUGE fast slide, toddler area, maze and more!

That was such an incredible trip, so next time you head that way pick and choose from all the fun we had to create your own special holiday!

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mamma's top playcentres in melbourne’s west

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mamma's melbourne wide - pick your own - guide!

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