LGA · VIC · SOUTH WEST VICTORIA

Warrnambool City

VIC's only truly regional coastal city — 2.1% unemployment + $396M hospital build. Roughly 265km from Melbourne CBD.

South West Victoria Hotspotting refresh: Jun 2026 265km from CBD

Investment thesis

What this LGA is for

South-west Victoria coastal city ~265km from Melbourne on the Surf Coast between Melbourne CBD and the SA border. Considered Victoria's only truly regional coastal city. Diverse economy: construction, manufacturing, healthcare and agriculture. The region produces approximately 18% of Victoria's agricultural output, anchored on dairy + major dairy and food processing infrastructure. Unemployment a very low 2.1%. The structural anchor is the $396 million Warrnambool Base Hospital redevelopment, scheduled for completion in 2027, expanding emergency and specialist services for the growing population. Sub-$640K median entry with 5%+ yields on house and unit markets.

Key numbers

Snapshot of the Warrnambool City economy and demographics.

Warrnambool Base Hospital redevelopment

$396M

Unemployment — very low

2.1%

Of Victoria's agricultural output

18%

From Melbourne CBD

265km

Infrastructure pipeline

The committed and in-flight infrastructure spend reshaping the LGA.

$396M

Warrnambool Base Hospital redevelopment

Scheduled for completion in 2027. Expanding emergency + specialist services. Major regional employment anchor.

Major

Dairy + food processing hub

Major dairy processing facilities supporting the region's 18% of VIC agricultural production.

Major

Surf Coast tourism corridor

Coastal positioning attracts tourism economy. Beach + agricultural countryside backdrop.

Major

Princes Highway + V/Line rail

Surf Coast spine to Melbourne. V/Line direct to Southern Cross.

Major

Construction + manufacturing diversification

Industries diversify the regional employment base beyond agriculture.

Major

Education + health regional centre

Regional services centre for the broader SW Victoria.

Suburbs in scope

Suburbs we actively track within Warrnambool City. House market data from PropTrack via Hotspotting LGA report (12 months trailing).

Suburb	Median (house)	Yield	1yr growth	Vacancy	Read
Dennington (House)	$640K	5.10%	+11%	1.20%	LGA premium estate. Strong YoY
Warrnambool (House)	$635K	4.90%	+6%	1.10%	City centre. Deepest market (549 sales/yr)
Warrnambool (Unit)	$468K	5.30%	+4%	1.30%	Strong unit market 110 sales/yr

↑ Back to top