I tried to have the perfect day in Warrnambool on a $25 budget

It's (almost) possible!

Author

Ilana Bean
March 11, 2025

Being alive is expensive.

It starts small: the $12 egg scramble with toast. And then renting a bike is just $40 for four hours. You can split a Dart and Marlin pizza and throw in a couple drinks, and suddenly, the day has come to $100.

All I'm trying to do is have a nice weekend, but it feels like leaving the house is basically signing up to drain my bank account. 

I wanted to see what would happen if I actually set a hard limit: Could I still have a good time? I decided to spend the day doing as many fun things as I could around Warrnambool on a $25 budget — all entirely walkable from the CBD. 

🏃‍♀️ Morning run along the beach

I started my day with a run in Lake Pertobe Park and then ventured to the beach. I tried to get a photo… but turns out I look absolutely unhinged when I run and also had never once considered the physics of trying to photograph myself while in motion.

Now I know.

☀️ Actually just give up and enjoy the beach

I've heard running on the beach is good for your calves because the sand adds resistance, but it turns out that it's also kind of hard for the same reason. Who knew!

Eventually, I abandoned the run and just enjoyed the vibes instead. I was on Surf Club Beach so I sat back for a little while and watched people who are both braver and more coordinated than I'll ever be paddle out to catch waves.

☕️ Get a scone and coffee at The Beach Kiosk Cafe

There really is something about going to the beach that makes me crave getting a snack from a little takeaway window on the side of the café. I swear to God, it actually tastes different and better when it comes out from that window. Scientists can’t explain it but I know the truth.

I got a tomato and cheese scone and a coffee for $10. Historically, I'm not a huge scone fan because I actually don’t believe the human salivary glands evolved for that much flour. Still, I chose it because it fit the budget and it turns out adding cheese is a complete game changer?? And I like scones now??

🌳 Take your coffee and walk through Lake Pertobe trails

I actually ran through this path earlier, but during the walk back I was really able to appreciate the lake and the shockingly ethereal swamp land. It’s an incredible trail for animal watching. There are always rabbits darting out of the bushes, black swans, possibly a brolga (ayyy) and some sweet little blue guys who look like they’re ready to deliver a message to Snow White — literally named “splendid fairywren.”

🚢 Stop by Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village

Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village is an open-air heritage museum with Victoria’s largest shipwreck and maritime collection, and, importantly, costumed re-enactors wandering the grounds.

Going into the village costs $20 (although locals can have this fee waived by registering for the ambassador program) — but stopping on your walk to stand at the overlook and admire the old-timey buildings from afar? Free.

I wasn't about to grace Warrnambool's fine art establishment covered in sweat and sand, so I stopped home to clean up before heading to the art gallery.

I went to the absolutely stunning — and completely free — Strong Spirit exhibit featuring work from Merindah-Gunya, a Peek Whurrung, Kirrae Whurrung, and Djab Whurrung woman from the Maar nation, which runs until October.

Afterwards, I went to the pop-up studio space inspired by the artwork of Warrnambool fashion icon Lisa Gorman (of Gorman fame). To be completely honest, this craft space was 100% designed for children. But the sign said it was for "ALL AGES," and I'm nothing if not opportunistic when it comes to free activities — soooo here are my bubble letters.

Window Shop at Timor Street Market

What doesn’t Timor Street Market have? There’s knick knacks and hankies, live plants, a room full of acoustic guitars, racks of vintage clothes, imported snacks, home grown fruit, jars of onion chutney, jars of magic spells, and these two absolute icons.

Obviously, markets are more fun when you've got cash to splash on a sweater featuring three giant cats, each more terrifying than the last. But you'll have plenty to do just poking around. 

Refuel at a 77-year-old diner

Macks Snacks is an old-timey diner and Warrnambool institution since 1948.

And look at that, Steak and Eggs for only $2.90!

Sorry, that was literally a lie. Despite this decorative sign, Mack’s Snacks has normal 2025 prices. I got a $9.50 banana smoothie.

🎹 Listen to live music at Hotel Warrnambool

Every Sunday there’s live music at Hotel Warrnambool — my personal favourite local pub. I got a $7 pot of Carlton Draught, met up with my boyfriend, and made a new friend in the outdoor beer garden. The band played three Green Day songs in a row including the one featured at every high school graduation about how they hope you had the time of your life. Which honestly I did — even on a $25 budget.


***

If you’re better at mental arithmetic than I am, you’ve already noticed something: I failed the challenge by $1.50. There was genuinely a brief moment in my life when I said 10 + 9.5 + 7 — that absolutely equals 25.

Still, the point remains. The day I spent $26.50 was just as satisfying as the ones I've dropped $100 — and I didn’t have to open my banking app afterward.

All images by the author.