Winchelsea lies on the Princes Highway, almost exactly halfway between Colac and Geelong. 20 minutes drive (35 km) out of Geelong heading westward or Colac heading eastward, you will enter the normal slowdown speed zones of 80kph then 60kph as you come into the Winchelsea township.

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Speed restrictions are regularly enforced, as the Princes Highway splits the town in two and there is significant local traffic, both cars and pedestrians. Shops on either side, parks and walkways, and other facilities distributed around the town mean that there are constantly vehicles and people crossing the highway. As yet, the highway has a clear run through the town ie. there are no traffic lights or zebra crossings, so simply by slowing to 60kph there is minimal interruption to pass-through traffic.

There are also north-south cross-country links - up to Inverleigh, down to Deans Marsh, and across 'the back ways' to Torquay. These are country roads with repeated rail crossings which do not have boom-gates although most have lights, and some have rumble-strips. Caution and attention should be paid to rail crossings, there have been many accidents and the trains tend not to lose!

Off the highway, the standard town speed limit is 50kph, roads are well ordered and easy to navigate. The central business district and either side of the highway itself contain pretty much all Winchelsea businesses,  although there is a small industrial precinct on the western side.

There are parks and toilet facilities on either side of the highway, barbeque amenities and a playground adjacent to the old bluestone bridge (built in the 1860's) over the Barwon River, close to the Tourist Information centre.  The main shopping strip lies on the western (Colac) side of the bridge, with a number of antique and od-ware shops on the highway on the eastern (Geelong) side.