Where did I stay when visiting Deep Blue Hot Springs in Warrnambool for a soak? How did I travel to this bathing complex in south-west Victoria and what other activities
did I enjoy?
Above: The entrance to the springs, with accommodation to the left and the hot springs to the right(Order this image)
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Accommodation close to Deep Blue Hot Springs:
If you really want to pamper yourself whilst at the hot springs, hotel accommodation is available at the
Deep Blue Hot Springs Hotel, adjacent to the hot springs.
With only a few steps from the hotel reception to the hot springs sanctuary reception, this accommodation is the closest you will find to the hot spring sanctuary.
To prove the point, I took a photo (below) from Rockpool number 1 up to the rooms at the Deep Blue Hot Springs Hotel.
Above: The view from within a hot spring pool up to your balcony or penthouse at the hot springs hotel(Order this image)
There are various accommodation packages available from rooms only to ones that incorporate a combination of hot springs and other wellness services, including access to
the indoor bath house and/or private bathing rooms outside of the public hot springs sanctuary. The cost of this accommodation for a twin share was quite reasonable,
so I would not rule it out straight away on the basis of cost, even if you are on a budget. There is free parking on site and the hotel also has its own indoor swimming pool that is
not open to the general public.
Above: The hotel reception entrance at the Deep Blue Hot Springs hotel(Order this image)
Accommodation in the closest town (Warrnambool):
There are plenty of different hotel accommodation options in Warrnambool to explore, so as long as you book in advance, you should not have trouble finding a place to stay, particularly if
you are visiting the hot springs in winter. If you have a car, it is very easy to get around Warrnambool from your accommodation to the various parts of town.
Pertobe Road, which leads to the hot springs, has several caravan parks on either side of the road, with one of the closest being the
Discovery Park Warrnambool.
It spans both sides of the road, with one side offering beach frontage. There are a couple of swimming pools and various camping, caravan, cabin and motel accommodation options, with pet-friendly sites available.
Where I stayed
When visiting the Deep Blue Hot Springs, I stayed at the
NRMA Warrnambool Riverside Holiday Park (as a paying guest), which is out of town, near the Hopkins River. There is a boat ramp and
a little jetty in the river here, which makes this accommodation attractive for anyone bringing a boat.
Above: The cabin I stayed in at the NRMA Warrnambool Riverside Holiday Park(Order this image)
I stayed in one of the neat little two bedroom cabins, which were basic but very
comfortable, warm in winter, and quiet. This holiday park has two pools - one heated indoor pool that was filled with kids, even in winter, and one outdoor pool with a little water slide.
The staff were friendly and replaced an electric kettle for me that was not working, without any fuss. The only drawback with this site is the distance to town, but there are supermarkets
and takeaway stores along the highway only a few kilometres away. For me the effort of a little extra driving was offset by the cost savings staying at this holiday park. Pet-friendly sites are available.
Above: The indoor pool at the NRMA Warrnambool Riverside Holiday Park(Order this image)
Local tours in Warrnambool
When visiting the Deep Blue Hot Springs in Warrnambool, I also took the opportunity to do some whale watching, and to visit the local heritage village at Flagstaff Hill. The whale watching
takes place seasonally from June to September from the Logans Beach whale sanctuary, just outside of town. Whale watching is free, with viewing platforms set up on the hill overlooking
the beach.
Unfortunately I did not see any whales on the three times I visited over a few days, but it was still quite nice to stare at the horizon for a while without anyone bothering
me, and to give my eyes a break from staring at screens right in front of my face.
I also went to the sound and light show at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village,
2 km north east of the hot springs, on the edge of the town centre. The tour had some unique touches, including
an item that you are asked to carry on the way down to the theatre seating, the projection screen made of water (which totally astounded some of the younger members in the audience),
and the use of lighting at the heritage village to help tell the story. The story itself made me feel a little bit despondent at times, because of the brutality of whaling in times gone
by and the loss of life on the Shipwreck Coast, so do not expect this to be a typical Hollywood or children's fairytale production.
Above: The Best Western Olde Maritime Motor Inn opposite the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village(Order this image)
More information about Deep Blue Hot Springs:
If you have arrived at this accommodation web page directly, you can find out more about swimming at these hot springs in my guide to Deep Blue Hot Springs. I hope
you enjoy your stay here.
