Tom Richardson
If you’ve attended the famous Port Fairy Folk festival over the years, chances are you’ve heard of Tom Richardson.
Based in Warrnambool, on the western end of the Great Ocean Road, Tom is one of the region’s most successful artists, having shared stages with the likes of Joe Bonamassa, Cold Chisel and John Butler Trio. He’s toured over 15 countries and collaborated with everyone from Native American poets to Indian Kirtan masters and Fijian highland village choirs. Soulful guitar and experimental sound is his thing. His shows often feature complicated percussion grooves, four-part vocal harmonies, and Tom in the middle of it all, dancing and stamping over his pedals, strumming his guitar like a madman.
Between pumping out studio albums, including the 2018 smash Promise of the Light, Tom also heads up the Space Wellbeing Studio and Find Your Voice Collective, a creative activism organisation with over 250 members of all ages, abilities, ethnicities and cultural backgrounds. He’s a pretty talented fellow.
We sat down with Tom to get his top tips for the Great Ocean Road, plus a few local artists you just have to check out.
1. The Wild Coastline
The whole length of the Great Ocean Road is stunning, but there’s some extra special hidden spots between Port Campbell and Portland, where sheer cliffs are pounded by raging surf. Bay of Martyrs in Peterborough, Thunder Point in Warrnambool and The Crags towards Portland are all amazing, and you’ll likely get them to yourself. Pro tip: ask a local and they might tell you more secret spots…
2. Moyjil (Point Richie)
You can’t visit the Great Ocean Road without experiencing First Nations culture. Moyjil (Point Richie) is where the Hopkins River meets the sea. This site holds evidence of Aboriginal existence dating back over 60,000 years. In the colder months, Southern Right whales give birth in the waters off Moyjil. Tower Hill is also a hotspot for koalas, emus and kangaroos. I can highly recommend the Worn Gundidj guided tours there.
3. Port Fairy Folk Festival
The Port Fairy Folk Festival is a March long-weekend highlight and brings international artists, audiences and a world class musical experience to south-west Victoria. You just have to go. The festival has a 45+ year history and has been the breeding ground and inspiration for the likes of Archie Roach, Shane Howard and countless others. The family-friendly vibes are strong.
4. Warrnambool
Specifically the alleys of Warrnambool. The city’s CBD is rapidly becoming more visually vibrant, and a walk through the alleyways off Liebig, Koroit, Kepler and Timor Streets feature amazing artworks and murals by both accomplished and emerging artists. Follow it up with some tacos at Cactus Jam.
5. Go Inland
People think the Great Ocean Road is this linear, A-to-B line, but often the best stuff happens inland. The Noodledoof Brewery in Koroit has amazing seasonal craft beers, in-house distilled gins, great coffee and food. That’s one of my favourites. You should also check out The Freckled Duck in Allansford. It’s an amazing bakery. Definitely worth a visit.
