Cap off your Great Ocean Road getaway by raising a glass at one of these Warrnambool pubs.

From timeless country boozers full of character to renovated heritage hotels serving elevated fare, there’s nothing like finishing your day with a meal and a pint while you’re on the road. When you inch towards the end of the Great Ocean Road, you’ll be rewarded with plenty of places that fit the bill. Instead of scrambling to find the best pub to suit your mood when you arrive, bookmark these Warrnambool pubs before you go.

1. The Cally Hotel

This centrally located beauty located a five-minute stroll away from the train station offers pub meals, craft beer, cocktails on tap, barista coffee and accommodation all week long. The menu features meals ranging from old faithful pub standards like beer battered fish and chicken schnitzel, as well as veggie-packed side salads, pizzas and vegan burgers. Travelling with your best (furry) friend? Pooches are welcome to join you for a meal on the heated streetside seating.

Address: 112-114 Fairy St, Warrnambool

2. The Whalers Hotel

There’s always plenty happening at this longstanding historic pub with stained-glass windows. With a sports bar, dining room and stage, this pub attracts a diverse range of locals and visitors from near and far. You’ll see everyone from tradies having a feed while watching a game of AFL to couples settling in for dinner and groups of friends gathering to see one of the many live music acts that populate the gig calendar each year. Apart from all the usual pub fare, this hotel also serves local, sustainably farmed abalone. With a seniors and kids menu, this is a top spot to take all the family.

Address: 53 Liebig St, Warrnambool

3. The Flying Horse

Located just off the Princes Highway, the Flying Horse is a solid dinner or lunch pitstop option while you’re on the road. With a restaurant, bar, kid’s playroom, drive-thru bottle shop and coffee shop (yes, drive-thru coffee) a visit to the Flying Horse can be as long or as short as you need. You can also order online and pick up meals from your car if you’re short on time and want to eat while on the road. Genius!

Address: 10691 Princes Hwy, Warrnambool

4. Rafferty’s Tavern

This family-friendly tavern with outdoor seating and a kid’s play area is a top place for families to enjoy a stress-free meal. Getting kids to sit through dinner can be tough, but dining somewhere with big-screen televisions, pool tables and a play area just for kids makes things a whole lot easier. Depending on when you visit, there might be prizes and games for kids too if you’re lucky. There are lots of plant-based meals on the bistro menu here, so vegans and vegetarians will be happy too.

Address: 1145 Raglan Parade, Warrnambool

5. Victoria Hotel

Established back in 1905, this old-school country pub has undergone renovations over the years but lost none of its charm. Behind the near-original heritage facade, you’ll find a good honest watering hole, bottle shop and bistro serving pub classics for lunch and dinner and easy-drinking beers and ciders on tap. If you’re on the hunt for affordable accommodation, you can bed down here too.

Address: 90 Lava St, Warrnambool VIC

6. Hotel Warrnambool

This large heritage hotel is open 7 days a week and is well worth a visit if you’re a fan of history and architecture. With a long and storied history dating back more than 100 years, this grand old dame is an important Warrnambool landmark. Settle into the dining room to enjoy hearty pub meals like red wine braised beef cheek or head out to the beer garden to snack on fish tacos or woodfired pizza in the sun with an ice-cold ale. You can also stay upstairs in one of the neat and simple yet comfortable rooms.

Address: Cnr Koroit And, Kepler St, Warrnambool

7. Seanchai Irish Pub

Wherever you are in the world, it’s comforting to know that you’re never too far from an Irish pub. If you’re jonesing for a pint of Guinness while you’re in town, then head to Seanchai Irish Pub. Inside you’ll find all the hallmarks of traditional pub décor: Chesterfield-style leather couches and armchairs, a pool table, framed photos of years gone by, bookshelves filled with old tomes and the odd taxidermy animal too. If you love Irish pubs, start the night here with a pint or stop in for a whiskey nightcap after dinner.

Address: 62 Liebig St, Warrnambool