No Matter the Season
There is always plenty to see and do in Port Fairy. January to March is the hottest part of the year, with March offering ideal conditions when there are fewer tourists and the children are back at school.
The Port Fairy Folk Festival
one of the largest in Australia, is on in March.
Whale Watching - Southern Right Whales
May to October is the time to keep an eye out for the Southern right whales which can be seen breaching off East Beach in front of Blue Vista.
Historic Port Fairy
Located at the end of the Great Ocean Road, and a 3.5 hour drive from Melbourne, Port Fairy is an historic and picturesque fishing village with wide streets lined with 19th-century cottages, majestic Norfolk pines and old stone churches.
With more than 50 heritage bluestone and sandstone buildings classified by the National Trust, strolling around Port Fairy feels like stepping back in time.
Port Fairy Wharf
The wharf is lined with yachts and colourful fishing boats. Here you can watch the fishermen unload their catch of crayfish and abalone and perhaps head out to sea on a guided fishing trip or take a cruise from the wharf out to the seal colony on Lady Percy Island.
World Class Golf
Keen golfers must not miss a round of golf at the Port Fairy Golf Course which is ranked 9th out of the top 100 and 5th out of the top 10 Public Access Golf Courses in Australia for 2023. The course is nestled amongst the sand dunes and noted for its breathtaking views of the Southern Ocean. It is only 5 mins by car from Blue Vista.
Coastal Walking
The natural beauty of Port Fairy invites you to explore, so head out for a walk along the beach, or out to the Iconic Lighthouse and around Griffiths Island with its colony of shearwater or mutton birds, swamp wallabies and perhaps an echidna.
Wide Choice of Beaches
Paddling in the crystal clear shallows and exploring the rock pools of Pea Soup Beach or swimming in the gentle surf of East Beach is a favourite family pastime no matter the season. The Passage, where the sea is wild and bubbles over the rocks, is popular with the surfers. You will also find surfers at East Beach learning to ride the gentle waves.
Fishing
Other activities include shore fishing and tuna fishing. River fishing from the wharves and river banks of the Moyne River entrance is popular with all ages.
Port Fairy's Shopping Precinct
Port Fairy is a vibrant working town, where you can peruse the diverse array of boutiques, antique and book shops, bespoke jewelry, and art and craft shops scattered throughout the town. Stop for a coffee or lunch when the legs get tired at Bank St + Co, The Farmers Wife, The Mill or Charlies On East to name a few. For delicious coffee (stand and go) try Port Fairy Coffee Roasters and hot chocolate at Audley& Hall. Maybe an ice-cream is what you need so head to Rebeccas or Pelicans for a delicious variety of flavours.
You may even like to treat yourself to a spa at the Port Fairy Day SPA, which is open 7 days a week.
At the end of the day treat yourself to dinner at one of the many top rated restaurants located in Port Fairy, namely Victoria’s oldest inn – The Merrijig, the heritage listed Oak and Anchor Hotel, Blakes noted for its seafood and Conlan’s Restaurant and retail Wine Store, noted for its shared plates. The family will enjoy a family-friendly dinner at Coffin Sally on the main street for delicious wood-fired pizzas.
Every fortnight there is a farmers’ market in Railway Place next to the Tourist Bureau. There are no markets in January. Stallholders sell a variety of good quality fruit, vegetables, honey, plants, cakes, preserves, cheese etc.
Day Trips from Port Fairy
Further afield there are many natural attractions for you and the family to explore.
Just 15 minutes out of town is the Crags Lookout where you will see some incredible coastline.
Drive a little further on the highway to Yambuk where you will find the Yambuk Slide - a 33-metre thrill-seeking ride down Yambuk’s sand dunes! Climb the steps to the top of the slide for panoramic views along the coastline and out to Lady Julia Percy Island.
Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve is a 10 minute drive from Blue Vista, covering 614 hectares in area. It is a dormant volcano and wetland area, perfect for self-guided nature walks, picnicking and wildlife viewing. Road access leads inside the crater where there are numerous walking trails. Emus, kangaroos, koalas, and wallabies can sometimes be sited in the car park area. There are more than 150 bird species plus seasonal wildflowers in the reserve.
Drop into the Tourist Office to see what tours you can take to learn about the rich indigenous culture in the local area.
