| rnambool is home to many shipwrecks, a historic | | | | The Historic Shipwreck Trail extends for 110 |
| boathouse, a recreated maritime village and was | | | | kilometres along the Great Ocean Road from |
| Victoria’s most active port in the 1880s. | | | | Moonlight Head (near Princetown) to Port Fairy, the |
| A mysterious shipwreck buried deep beneath the | | | | trail incorporates 25 shipwrecks marked by road signs |
| sand dunes on Warrnambool’s outskirts is just | | | | and information plaques and provides a fascinating |
| one of the intriguing tales that contribute to the | | | | insight into the region’s shipwreck history. |
| city’s unique history. A Portuguese vessel, | | | | While the wrecks cannot be seen from the shore, it |
| fondly known by locals as The Mahogany Ship | | | | is easy to imagine the ships foundering in rough seas. |
| reportedly ran aground off Warrnambool in the 1500s. | | | | Note that a high standard of fitness/experience is |
| This local legend is supported by the discovery of Old | | | | required to complete the entire walk. |
| Portuguese charts that depict Australia’s | | | | Proudfoot’s Boathouse Built over 100 years |
| southern coastline as far as Armstrong’s Bay. | | | | ago, the Hopkins River boat house reflects the early |
| It is believed these charts were drawn in the 1520s.If | | | | days of fishing and boating on the Hopkins River. The |
| ever found or proven the Mahogany Ship and those | | | | building has been converted into a tavern bar, |
| Portuguese charts could rewrite the history of both | | | | restaurant and tea rooms and features many |
| Warrnambool and Australia. | | | | historical photos and other items of interest. It was |
| The 22km Mahogany Trail walking track extends | | | | classified by the National Trust as an early Australian |
| from Warrnambool to Port Fairy passing the possible | | | | recreational facility. |
| site. Take a walk and see if you can unravel the | | | | The nearby War Memorial monument was erected in |
| mystery. A high standard of fitness/experience is | | | | 1925 to recognise those who served in World War 1 |
| required. | | | | and 2, and to the services of Korean and Vietnam |
| Breakwater In the 1880s the Port of Warrnambool | | | | Veterans. This impressive monument is made from |
| handled more cargo than the Port of Melbourne and | | | | red granite and the angel is carved from Italian |
| was a thriving deep sea port. In 1876, planning | | | | marble. |
| commenced to protect the harbour utilising huge | | | | Warrnambool and the National Song Waltzing Matilda |
| concrete blocks weighing 32 tons each. The blocks | | | | The story begins at Warrnambool Races, Christina |
| were transported to the breakwater site by a | | | | Macpherson was at Warrnambool s Annual |
| specially built railway line, and construction was not | | | | Steeplechase Race Meeting in April 1894 when she |
| completed until 1890. The Warrnambool Yacht Club | | | | heard the Warrnambool Town Band play the |
| was built nearby in 1959. | | | | traditional Scottish tune, Thou Bonnie Wood of |
| Granny’s Grave, this monument was erected | | | | Craigie Lea. Christina memorised the tune and played |
| in 1904 in recognition of the first white woman to be | | | | it to Andrew B. (Banjo) Paterson at Dagworth |
| buried in Warrnambool. It marks the final resting place | | | | Station in Queensland in 1895. Banjo Paterson, inspired |
| of Mrs. James Raddleston who died in 1848, when | | | | by a local event, wrote some words to match the |
| the Warrnambool settlement was less than a year | | | | tune and our national song, Waltzing Matilda, was |
| old. | | | | born. |
