30 October 2023
5 mins Read
Port Fairy, VIC: the last stop on the Great Ocean Road.
You’ve done it. You made it the length of the greatest Aussie road trip. Named the world’s ‘Most Liveable Town’, Port Fairy is home to the one of the busiest fishing ports in Victoria. The streets are filled with nineteenth century buildings and old stone churches. And the town is surrounded by heritage walks to get yourself stuck into.
Walk onto the island for uninterrupted coastal views.
A relatively short trip coming in at just over an hour, this ruggedly beautiful walk takes in secluded beaches, a shear water colony and the 1859 lighthouse. It’ll guide you along all the best scenic locations of Port Fairy.
Griffith Island is home to the Mutton Bird colony, so make sure to keep on the track because birds are making their nests in burrows in the sand. And sorry, this isn’t a walk suitable for dogs.
Set in an extinct volcano with striking scenery, the reserve is home to emus, koalas, wallabies and abundant birdlife, plus you can learn about the region’s rich Aboriginal history via guided hikes.
The Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve was declared Victoria’s first national park in 1892. With guided tours available everyday between 11am and 1pm, walk amongst more than 300,000 trees and over 200 kangaroos that live around the visitor car park.
Lady Julia Percy Island is home to the largest fur seal colony in the southern hemisphere.
Although entry to the island is prohibited due to its nature reserve title, Salty Dog Charters tour group does send out boat tours to circle the off-shore volcano. Lady Julia Percy Island (or Dhinmar is their Aboriginal name) is Australia’s only submarine volcano which was formed an estimated seven million years ago. Home to the largest breeding colony of fur seals in the southern hemisphere, it’s considered a hunting ground for the Great White Shark.
Port Fairy holds an annual Jazz Festival every February. Tourists and locals gather around the streets to hear emerging and established musicians play the blues. The festival is not for profit and is entirely run by volunteers in the community.
Victoria’s south coast is known for their incredible walking tracks. The Mahogany Walking track is a beach walk from Port Fairy to Warrnambool. Spot a plethora of wildlife along the tracks, with echidnas, rare-hooded plovers and mutton birds often making appearances. If you’re lucky in winter or spring you’ll see a southern right whale frolicking in the waters. The track is 6 hours one-way, so you’ve got to leave a whole day for this activity.
Wonder through Basalt Vineyard before your wine tasting session.
A 10 minute drive away from Port Fairy’s town centre, this pretty cellar door offers wine tasting with their own blends along with local charcuterie and cheese. If you’re a little more peckish, choose a meal off their seasonal menu to be blown away. While you’re dining in, see if you can spot their own winery dog, Paddy.
Address: 1131 Princes Highway, Killarney.
Set back from the street, this hidden gem is the top pick for inventive cafe fare and great coffee. The traditional Australian breakfast café has gotten rave reviews, especially their pork belly eggs benedict on a brioche bun. The Asian-flare has got locals singing high praises.
Address: 47 Sackville Street
Enjoy one of Coffin Sally’s signature cocktail to sip down.
Always buzzing, this stylish pizzeria and bar nails great cocktails and a laid-back holiday vibe. All pizzas are made from scratch and cooked in a traditional wood-fired oven for that crunchy taste. But you can’t leave Coffin Sally without ordering a late night Negroni or a craft beer on tap.
Address: 33 Sackville Street
Bringing a rich sense of Tuscan home-styled cooking to Port Fairy is Bottega Toscana. This artisan pasta bar is a central Italian hub of delicious feasts. Not only just serving up pasta, but making up a mean spezzatino d’agnello (boneless lamb stew), this is one for the books.
Address: 26 Bank Street
Options are the name of the game here at Douglas Riverside. Choose from B&B rooms, self-contained houses and self-contained apartments. Located along Moyne River, you’re right in the middle of the peace. Previous guests claim that it is the ultimate waterfront relaxation location.
Address: 85 Gipps Street
Stay on the waterfront of Moyne River at Oscars Boutique Hotel.
This heritage-styled Boutique Hotel is located in the heart of Port Fairy, right opposite the Moyne River Marina. Breakfast is served every day, cooked by the head chef, only using the freshest seasonal produce. Get yourself ready for caramelised banana hotcakes.
Address: 41B Gipps Street
Port Fairy is located 289 kilometres west (approximately 3 and a half hours drive) of Melbourne at the end of the Great Ocean Road.
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