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Port Fairy, VIC

This aptly-named fairytale-like fishing village is beautifully located at the end of the Great Ocean Road and is a charming, historic journey back in time to the 19th century for its cottages, stone churches and more than 50 National Trust buildings. From Georgian merchant mansions and grand public buildings to the whitewashed beachside cottages built by whalers, seamen and fisherfolk over 100 years ago, it’s all here to delight history buffs and those looking for peace and quiet away from the chaos of the 21st century.

Port Fairy

Port Fairy’s harbour bustles with fishermen unloading their daily hauls of abalone and crayfish, racing yachts tugging at their moorings and anglers hoping for a bite along the harbourfront. Cruises to Lady Julia Percy Island for its seal colony and guided sea-fishing trips leave regularly, and the maritime scene is enlivened by cafés and pubs lining the waterfront. The Southern Ocean is highly respected by seamen, with the rearing cliffs and rocks along the coast giving rise to the local nickname of Shipwreck Coast for the 180 vessels lost to its fury.

For lovers of the great outdoors, a visit to nearby Tower Hill State Game Reserve is a must. The reserve and its emus, koalas, kangaroos and diverse birdlife is set in the crater of an extinct volcano whose eruptions millennia ago helped to shape the region’s dramatic natural wonders. This tiny, enclosed ecosystem is forested, giving a rare, untouched habitat for its plants, trees, animals and birds, and it’s a particular joy for the birders who take advantage of its specially-constructed hide.

There’s a choice of accommodation in town, from budget to luxury, including villas, boutique hotels, motels and self-catering lodges. Shopping, dining, entertainment, traditional pubs and retail therapy are all within walking distance of most lodgings, and there’s a vibrant weekend market in the central square. Even the caravan parks on the edge of town are fitted out with all the mod cons necessary for an enjoyable stay.

Where to stay?

About Port Fairy

  • Locality: Urban locality
  • Port Fairy Postcode: 3284
  • State: Victoria
  • Region: Great Ocean Road
  • Latitude: -38.38552
  • Longitude: 142.23671
  • Elevation: 9m
  • Population: 3340
  • Median Income: $31460
  • Area (Sq/km): 113.024
  • Timezone: Australia/Melbourne

Explore The Outback

Australia has a vast remote interior, much of it largely untouched. By night, the outback is deathly quiet, with the only light provided by the stars and the moon - a perfect oportunity for stargazing. Explore the isolated heart of the country, meet and connect with Aboriginal people and experience one of the oldest living cultures in the world. Go ‘walk-about’ and immerse yourself with Australia’s endless outback horizons.

Outback Experiences

Luxe Accommodation

Enjoy a distinctly Australian luxury experience, such as the unforgettable reefs, islands, beaches and coast; rugged mountain ranges, rainforests and vast national parks; and the many vibrant food and wine regions. Take a once in a lifetime adventure and discover the sheer indulgence of experiencing the wonders of Australia in style and stay in total luxury.

Australia has wide variety of accommodation options to suit most budgets and travelling preferences. Choose from luxury lodges, boutique hotels, serviced apartments, motels, bed and breakfasts, caravan parks as well as youth and backpacker hostels.

Accommodation

Glasshouse Mountains

The Glasshouse Mountains in the hinterland of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast are actually the cores of 20 million year old volcanoes. The sides of the volcanoes have eroded away leaving only the hardened rock spiremountain cores we see today. Learn more about this awe-inspiring landscape.

Glasshouse Mountains