Nirranda Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Bay of Islands Coastal Park which includes rocky coastline
Bay of Islands Coastal Park which includes rugged coastline
Nirranda
Bay of Islands Coastal Park showing rocky coastline and a sandy beach
Photo by Lauren Abela

Relax in the rural setting of this township on the Great Ocean Road and see where some of the region’s acclaimed dairy products are made.

Nirranda is a cozy hamlet nestled into western Victoria’s mosaic of farming pastures. Bordered by the Great Ocean RoadOpens in a new window, the town is the perfect place to appreciate the popular coastal touring route’s unsung pastoral beauty. It is thought that the name Nirranda was derived from the local Aboriginal word for “moon.” Explore the region’s idyllic lowlands and admire the fertile plains where dairy cattle graze to produce the main ingredient for some of western Victoria’s fantastic cheeses.

These pasture-fed cows produce milk that is supplied to leading dairy producers in the western Victorian plains. Nirranda’s farming history goes back to the late 1860s, when the first European settlement was recorded. The neighboring localities of Nirranda East and Nirranda South soon followed.

Today, you can see the foundations of the small community in the collection of public amenities along the roadside. Check out Nirranda’s former Catholic Church, which is a modern monument constructed in 1959. Meet locals training or competing at the Nirranda Football and Netball Club. Stretch your legs at the Recreation Reserve or find out if there’s a community event on at the Public Hall.

Continue your Nirranda road trip to visit the native woodlands at the Doug Fenwick Reserve. Keep going towards the coast to see the rugged cliffs that plunge into the ocean from the foreshore. A network of country roads will lead you to secret coves and stunning coastal views across the Mepunga Coastal Reserve.

While in the area, be sure to check out the Great Ocean Road’s magnificent array of attractions. Explore the Shipwreck Coast and visit Childers Cove, the Bay of Islands and the Twelve ApostlesOpens in a new window. Visit neighboring Peterborough, a laid-back, family-friendly destination, or sample delicious regional cheeses in Timboon. Go on a zip-line tour through the treetops in the Great Otway National ParkOpens in a new window.

Nirranda is located in western Victoria. It is a 3-hour drive west from MelbourneOpens in a new window and a 30-minute drive east from WarrnamboolOpens in a new window. Stay in one of Nirranda’s cozy cottages or indulge at the town’s Edwardian farmstead retreat.

Butterfly Farm

Butterfly Farm

3.5 out of 5
3155 Great Ocean Road, Nirranda, VIC
The price is NZ$175 per night from 4 Aug to 5 Aug
NZ$175
4 Aug - 5 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star B&B in Nirranda. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Flaxman Beach and Flaxmans Hill Beach are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (251 reviews)
"What a beautiful property full of old world charm. Very comfortable accommodation, delicious home cooked breakfast with all the trimmings. Hosts were lovely & left us to it. Thank you Karen and John. Perfect B&B stay. Highly recommended."

Reviewed on 26 Apr. 2025

Butterfly Farm
Deep Blue Hotel & Hot Springs

Deep Blue Hotel & Hot Springs

4.5 out of 5
Worm Bay Road, Warrnambool, VIC
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$143 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
NZ$143
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Warrnambool. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and hot springs on site. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
"This motel was quiet, rooms spacious staff excellent. The bed was extremely comfortable. The air con. stopped working in our room the night before we were to checkout. Staff went out of there way to help us move to another room."

Reviewed on 30 Jul. 2025

Deep Blue Hotel & Hot Springs
Innova Motel Warrnambool

Innova Motel Warrnambool

3 out of 5
620 Raglan Parade, Warrnambool, VIC
The price is NZ$131 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
NZ$131
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star motel in Warrnambool. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Warrnambool Shopping Centre and Warrnambool ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (105 reviews)
Good place to stay near centre
"Nice place to stay, we had downstairs rear unit and no highway noise. unit had been renovated recently and was clean but needs a little post reno cleaning. Very comfortable bed etc"

Reviewed on 30 Jul. 2025

Innova Motel Warrnambool
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Loch Ard Motor Inn

Loch Ard Motor Inn

3.5 out of 5
18 Lord Street, Port Campbell, VIC
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in Port Campbell. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (929 reviews)
"The room was spacious, clean, and comfortable. Perfect for our one night stay. Would highly recommend!"

Reviewed on 24 Jul. 2025

Loch Ard Motor Inn
Quest Warrnambool

Quest Warrnambool

4.5 out of 5
15-19 Liebig Street, Warrnambool, VIC
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Warrnambool. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (772 reviews)
"The communication was really good."

Reviewed on 29 Jul. 2025

Quest Warrnambool
NRMA Port Campbell Holiday Park

NRMA Port Campbell Holiday Park

3.5 out of 5
30 Morris Street, Port Campbell, VIC
Stay at this 3.5-star beach campground in Port Campbell. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions The Twelve Apostles and Port Campbell ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (473 reviews)
"Pleasant. Easy to find. Good parking."

Reviewed on 8 Jun. 2025

NRMA Port Campbell Holiday Park
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.