Have your say about future improvements to Warrnambool City Council's Surfside and Shipwreck Bay Holiday Parks.
The draft Warrnambool Holiday Parks Strategic Plan has been released for public comment. This Strategic Plan will guide future Park planning and investments over the next 10 years.
Surfside and Shipwreck Bay Holiday Parks have been a destination for locals and travellers since informal camping started in the early 1900s. The Parks are very important assets to the regional visitor economy and Warrnambool City Council. Located on the Warrnambool foreshore, the Parks offer convenient access to the beach and coastline, Lake Pertobe precinct, the Warrnambool CBD, and other regional attractions.
Warrnambool attracted an estimated 195,000 visitor nights from those staying in commercial caravan parks in 2024/2025 financial year. Surfside and Shipwreck Bay Holiday Parks provide over 80% of these holiday park sites in Warrnambool.
Why do we need a Strategic Plan?
The facilities at our Parks are aging and we need a plan for facility renewal. The Parks are located in sensitive coastal environments, so any renewal needs to enhance these natural areas.
The way people are camping is changing. Parks now need to accommodate larger vans and cars, extended family groups and people seeking a variety of camping experiences, including "glamping". Camping needs to be made more accessible to a wider range of people, including people requiring mobility aids.
The draft strategic plan has considered all these factors and can be viewed online here: Draft Warrnambool Holiday Park Strategic Plan. A hard copy is also available for viewing at the Civic Centre 25 Liebig Street Warrnambool and at the Surfside Holiday Park kiosk.
What we heard
A survey of 859 visitors to the Parks gathered feedback on issues and possible improvements, between December 2024 and February 2025. These suggestions have been considered in the developing the draft Plan:
- improvement to site quality e.g. grass condition
- improved pest control, especially rabbits control
- upgraded amenities (toilets, showers, laundries)
- security and rules enforcement
- improved park and site layout (e.g. site size and spacing)
- improved facilities (e.g. kiosk hours, better wifi & phone signal, camp kitchen and BBQ's)
- additional facilities ( e.g. playgrounds, pools)
- value for money
How can you provide your comments and ideas?
- Fill in the survey at the bottom of this page to provide your feedback on the draft Strategy. A hard copy survey can also be filled in at the Civic Centre 25 Liebig Street Warrnambool and Surfside Holiday Park kiosk.
- Make a written submission - email it to [email protected] or post it to PO Box 198, 25 Liebig Street, Warrnambool Victoria 3280. Please add “Holiday Parks Strategic Plan” to the subject line.
- Drop in to the Your Say pop up stall at the Warrnambool Library from 11 am to 1 pm Wednesday 13th of May to view and discuss the draft Plan and provide your comments.
How will your feedback be used?
Your feedback will be considered when finalising the Holiday Parks Strategic Plan for Council adoption.
Following Strategy endorsement a master plan will be drafted for these holiday parks. Consultation on these master plans will provide further opportunities to have your say about park facilities, layout and management.
Survey Privacy
The personal information requested in the survey is being collected by Warrnambool City Council for the purpose of verifying the source of feedback on our surveys. The personal information will not be disclosed to any other external party unless permitted under the Information Privacy Principles and our Privacy Policy If you wish to alter any of the personal information you have supplied to Warrnambool City Council, please contact Council via telephone 5559 4800 or email [email protected]
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