Life in Warrnambool
Warrnambool is Victoria’s fifth largest city and the largest town on the Great Ocean Road. The city's relaxed seaside vibe makes it an appealing place to call home and is a major reason why it is a 'must visit' town for many travellers throughout the year.
The vast local culture of art, music, food and history makes Warrnambool a great place to explore. With plenty of brilliant scenery and wildlife, it is easy to see why more and more people are choosing to live, study and work in Warrnambool, just a few hours outside of Melbourne.
Take a drive along the Great Ocean Road and visit the Twelve Apostles, or adventure in the opposite direction to the historic town of Port Fairy. There is certainly something for everyone in the welcoming town of Warrnambool.
Discover Tilak's journey
After arriving in Australia, Tilak struggled with culture shock. Studying a Bachelor of Commerce at Deakin University, Tilak has found a diverse range of friends from all over the world that can relate to his journey, making him feel at home and part of the community at Warrnambool.
What it is like to live in Warrnambool
Culture and events
Sit back and enjoy Warrnambool’s relaxed way of life or go into town and experience the many public events Warrnambool has to offer – including live music, markets, sport, stand-up comedy and many more festivals and public events. Warrnambool has plenty of exciting things to see and do.
Getting around
Warrnambool has convenient local buses and two train stations – Warrnambool Station in the city, and Sherwood Park station in the outer city, at the Deakin University Warrnambool Campus. The trains will connect you to Melbourne and Geelong, keeping you in touch with big-city culture.
Health and safety
Warrnambool is a safe and welcoming place with low crime rates and impressive healthcare. Deakin also offers students a variety of services to ensure they feel safe and secure while studying. The Warrnambool Campus always has security guards on duty and the campus features medical centres with doctors and nurses to assist you.
Cafes and restaurants
Quality local produce is the foundation of Warrnambool's food scene. You will find a variety of Australian and multicultural cafes and restaurants, featuring great coffee and tasty food.
Discover cafes and restaurants in Warrnambool
Shopping
From local fresh produce to large supermarket chains, Warrnambool has plenty of options for purchasing food and groceries.
Supermarkets offer a variety of international food options and each weekend Warrnambool hosts The Fresh Market, featuring a variety of fresh produce and local goods.
Weather
You can expect low humidity in Warrnambool with cool winters averaging 14 degrees Celsius during the day and warm summers averaging 23 degrees Celsius during the day.
Some winter mornings can drop to 3 degrees Celsius and some summer days can reach 40 degrees Celsius.
Working in Warrnambool
Warrnambool has a thriving economy with many opportunities for casual, part-time and full-time work for international students. Working while you study is a great way gain valuable industry experience that will be valuable to potential future employers. Remember that any work experience will be looked upon fondly by future employers, so don’t worry about trying to find a job relevant to your degree. For support on finding part-time, casual and internship roles, Deakin’s career and employment service DeakinTALENT offers career advisors that can help you find the perfect job or internship while you study.
Warrnambool is regional city. This means that Deakin graduates who study in Warrnambool may be eligible for an extended temporary post-study work visa.
Deakin’s Warrnambool Campus
Our Warrnambool Campus is located on the Great Ocean Road, five minutes from local surf beaches and only a three-and-a-half-hour drive or train ride from Melbourne. Experience the peace and quiet of regional Victoria while living on the banks of the pristine Hopkins River. A morning walk and a surf before class are easy when you study in Warrnambool. Day trips to explore nearby coastal attractions, beaches and the local national parks are all possible for students living in Warrnambool.
Accommodation and cost of living
One of the benefits of studying and living in Warrnambool is the affordability. The price of accommodation and cost of living is much cheaper in Warrnambool, compared with Melbourne and Geelong. Your money will undoubtedly take you further in Warrnambool, so you can enjoy all of the restaurants, events, markets and weekend trips you had imagined you would.
Students can live right on campus in Deakin’s residences. Choosing to live on campus is the best way to immerse yourself in the Deakin experience. Life on campus is both affordable and secure – it is the perfect place to meet new people and live close to where you study. There are also plenty of accommodation options in the town of Warrnambool.
The people are so friendly in Warrnambool. Everyone is helpful, the lecturers know your name, it is a beautiful campus and convenient to get to Geelong and Melbourne because of the train. And there is lots to do with my friends in Warrnambool too, – we go shopping, play bowls, go fishing, play badminton, go to the Deakin gym and eat sushi.
Onali, Sri Lanka
Bachelor of Nursing
Nature and wildlife
Living in Warrnambool means that you are surrounded by the natural beauty of south-west Victoria. There are adventurous walking and bike trails with spectacular ocean views, beautiful beaches, gardens and parks; Warrnambool has it all. It is an ideal place for learning a new skill such as scuba diving.
You can travel along the heritage-listed Great Ocean Road to see the Twelve Apostles or hike your way through parks and reserves that protect the native plants and animals of Australia. Highlights for any nature lover would be spotting a southern right whale or watching the penguins.
Get help or contact Deakin
Our friendly advisers are available to speak to you one-on-one about your study options, support services for international students and how we can help you study at Deakin in Australia.
Phone: +61 3 9918 9188