Warrnambool is about 260 kilometres southwest of Melbourne. V/Line runs regular train services from Melbourne's Southern Cross Station; the journey takes around three hours. There are also bus connections from Geelong.
By car, the most scenic route is the Great Ocean Road, which winds along the coast from Geelong past the Twelve Apostles and reaches Warrnambool from the east. This route adds considerable distance but is one of the finest coastal drives in Australia. The faster route is the Princes Highway inland from Geelong, which takes about two and a half hours.
Warrnambool Airport has small-plane connections to Melbourne but no scheduled commercial services. Most visitors arrive by train or car.