Local Feature — Whale Watching 2025 (Warrnambool)

1. Logans Beach Whale Watching Platform – 2025 Update

• 📅 Date: May–October 2025

• 📍 Location: Logans Beach, Warrnambool

• 🎟️ Admission: Free

• 📄 Details:
  Warrnambool’s premier whale-watching spot is gearing up for another strong season. The Southern Right Whales return annually to calve in the sheltered waters right off Logans Beach. In 2025, visitors can expect improved access, with council-backed upgrades planned for safer beach stairs and more durable walkways. Ideal for families, photographers, and wildlife lovers.

2. Best Vantage Points for 2025

• 📍 Locations: Logans Beach, Thunder Point, Breakwater Foreshore

• 📄 Details:
  While Logans Beach remains the star, Thunder Point provides wide panoramic scanning opportunities — especially on calm days. The Breakwater and foreshore are great alternatives for casual watchers or spontaneous sightings while walking the coast. All locations provide safe, land-based whale viewing with no boat tours needed.

3. Family-Friendly Whale Watching Tips

  📅 Season: Peak June–August

• 📄 Details:
  Families visiting Warrnambool this winter can enjoy an easy, low-cost nature outing. Bring binoculars, warm layers, and snacks — especially if heading to Logans Beach where facilities are minimal. Calm mornings provide the best visibility, but whales can appear any time throughout the day.

4. Whale Watching + Coastal Walk Pairings

• 📍 Suggested routes: Logans Beach to Hopkins River Lookout, Thunder Point Coastal Reserve, Foreshore Promenade

• 📄 Details:
  Combine whale spotting with a scenic stroll. The Foreshore Promenade is accessible for prams and mobility aids, while the Thunder Point walk provides dramatic cliffs and photo opportunities. These pair perfectly with a morning whale-watching session.

🌊 Warrnambool Whale-Watching Planner — 2025 Edition

🐋 Best Months to Visit

• Peak Season: June – August

• Good Sightings: May (late), September (early)

• Why: Southern Right Whales calve in the sheltered waters off Logans Beach.

📅 Ideal Times of Day

• Early Morning: Best light, calm seas, fewer people.

• Late Afternoon: Often good visibility if winds stay low.

• Avoid: Midday on windy days — glare and rough seas make spotting harder.

🌊 Best Conditions (Quick Checklist)

• ✔️ Swell: Under 1.5m

• ✔️ Wind: Under 15km/h

• ✔️ Sky: Overcast or bright but not glary

• ✔️ Tides: Incoming tide sometimes brings whales closer, but whales can appear during any tide cycle.

📍 Top Viewing Spots

1. Logans Beach Whale Watching Platform (Primary Site)

• Purpose-built, elevated platform

• Wheelchair-accessible

• Often the closest whale sightings in Australia

2. Thunder Point

• Rugged coastal vantage

• Better for scanning wide areas on calmer days

3. Breakwater & Foreshore

• Good for surprise sightings

• Nice spot for photography at sunrise/sunset

🚗 Parking, Facilities & Access

Logans Beach Platform

• Parking: Free gravel car park, fills quickly in peak months

• Facilities:

  • Toilets available seasonally

  • Walkway ramps for easy access

  • Benches + fenced viewing areas

• Upgrades 2025:

  • Planned improved stair access to the beach

  • Strengthened handrails and compliant pathways

Thunder Point

• Small parking area

• No toilets

• Trails can be uneven — wear good shoes

👨‍👩‍👧 Family-Friendly Tips

• Bring binoculars — even cheap ones make a big difference

• Dress warmly — winds can make it feel colder

• Pack snacks or a thermos (no cafés at Logans Beach)

• Download a whale-spotting app or bookmark the local updates page

• Plan a backup activity (Flagstaff Hill, Lake Pertobe) in case weather changes

📸 Photography Tips

• Use a zoom lens (200–400mm is ideal)

• Overcast days give the most even lighting

• Shoot in burst mode to catch breaching

• Keep horizon level — easy to forget when excited!

🥾 Nearby Walks to Pair With Whale Watching

• Logans Beach → Hopkins River Lookout (easy, 20 min)

• Thunder Point Coastal Reserve Walk (moderate, 30–90 min depending on route)

• Foreshore Promenade (easy, flat, wheelchair-friendly)

🍽️ Where to Grab Food Nearby

• Pavilion Café & Bar — ocean views

• Robo’s Fish & Chips — classic coastal meal

• Bright Bird — burgers + cosy indoor seating

🧭 Suggested Itineraries

1. The Quick Morning

• 7:30 — Arrive at Logans Beach

• 8:00 — Coffee + light breakfast at Pavilion

• 9:00 — Walk the foreshore

• 10:00 — Optional second whale scan

2. The Weekend Whale Escape

Day 1:

• Sunrise at Logans Beach

• Explore Flagstaff Hill

• Dinner in town

Day 2:

• Whale-watch at Thunder Point

• Enjoy Lake Pertobe with the kids

• Lunch at Pavilion

Local Feature — Whale Watching 2025 (Warrnambool)

1. RSA National Rodeo Finals 2025

   • 📅 Date: 5–6 December 2025

   • 📍 Location: Warrnambool Showgrounds (331 Koroit Street)

   • 🎟️ Admission: From $35 (adults) / VIP tickets available Australias.guide+1

   • 📄 Details: Two nights of rodeo action featuring bulls, broncs, barrel racing, junior events — plus live music, food stalls, kids’ activities (jumping castle), trade stalls, and giveaways. Great for families and rodeo fans alike. Australias.guide+1

2. Dennington Carols 2025

   • 📅 Date: Friday 5 December 2025, from 6:00 pm (gates open 5:30 pm)

   • 📍 Location: Grounds of St John’s Primary School, Russell Street, Dennington warrnamboolweekly.com.au

   • 🎟️ Admission: Free / Community event warrnamboolweekly.com.au

   • 📄 Details: Community Christmas carols evening with festive spirit, families, music — a nice local event to get into the holiday mood. Dog-free, smoke-free, and great for kids. warrnamboolweekly.com.au

3. Twilight Dessert Night 2025

   • 📅 Date: Friday 19 December 2025, 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm

   • 📍 Location: Civic Green (Liebig Street), Warrnambool CBD Warrnambool City Council+1

   • 🎟️ Admission: Free; food vendors on-site (pay as you go) Warrnambool City Council+1

   • 📄 Details: A festive dessert-themed night with live music and entertainment — plan dinner locally then head over for a relaxed, family-friendly evening under the lights in the heart of town. Warrnambool City Council+1

4. Warrnambool & Southwest Artists' Open Studio Tour 2025

   • 📅 Date: Saturday 6 December 2025, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

   • 📍 Location: Various artist studios across Warrnambool and surrounding Southwest Victoria whatson.warrnambool.vic.gov.au+1

   • 🎟️ Admission: Free / Open-studio style whatson.warrnambool.vic.gov.au+1

   • 📄 Details: A great opportunity to explore local art scenes — meet artists, view works, maybe find something unique to take home. Great for art lovers or anyone wanting to support local creatives. whatson.warrnambool.vic.gov.au+1

5. Christmas Movies on the Green (Pop‑Up Cinema)

   • 📅 Date: Sunday 14 December 2025, 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm

   • 📍 Location: Civic Green, Liebig Street, Warrnambool CBD whatson.warrnambool.vic.gov.au+1

   • 🎟️ Admission: Free (public vote on films shortly before the event) whatson.warrnambool.vic.gov.au+1

   • 📄 Details: A fun family–friendly evening — grab some popcorn, relax with friends or family under the stars and enjoy some seasonal films. Great way to wind down a weekend in town. whatson.warrnambool.vic.gov.au+1

📰 Community / Civic News & Vibes

• The local council’s holiday-season plans show a clear push to bring festive, family-friendly events to the city centre — from markets and carols to open-air cinemas and dessert nights

• For those interested in community inclusivity and support, there’s also the upcoming South West Inclusion Festival 2025 on Wednesday 3 December 2025 at Civic Green — a celebration of inclusion with performances, art exhibition, games and community-wide activities.