Port Fairy Holiday Rentals & Accommodation

Port Fairy forms part of the magnificent Great Ocean Road and is a charming fishing village which evokes memories of a simpler time with its laid-back approach to life and 19th century architecture. Alive with a vibrant artistic and culinary scene and situated close to dramatic natural beauty, Port Fairy holiday accommodation includes a mix of waterside bungalows and charming traditional cottages. From chic and contemporary to classic and quaint, there's something to suit every taste in the fabulous Port Fairy.

Getting to Your Port Fairy Accommodation

The closest airport to Port Fairy is Tullamarine Airport in Melbourne. You can get direct flights to Melbourne from all major airports in Australia and there are a number of direct international flights to the city as well. Once in Melbourne, you can hire a car to drive to your accommodation in Port Fairy. The drive takes three and a half hours on the inland road or five and a half hours on the scenic Great Ocean Road. Drive along the Great Ocean Road and stop to enjoy the breathtaking scenery along the way to Port Fairy.

You can also reach your holiday rental by train; take the train from Melbourne's Southern Cross Station to Warrnambool Station and from there, switch to either another PTV train or a bus to Port Fairy. This is an inland journey taking around five hours, but the views do not compare to the striking scenery of the Great Ocean Road.

What to eat on your Port Fairy holiday

The best produce from both land and sea comes together in Port Fairy to create some of Australia's most delicious dishes. When visiting this charming port town, you will have the opportunity of tucking into authentic fish and chips on the wharf or sample innovative cuisine at creative eateries where chefs use the best of local produce.

For freshly brewed artisan coffee and hearty breakfasts and lunches head to Bank Street and Co. This causal but refined cafe captures the essence of modern dining with great food and an even better atmosphere.

The Merrijig Kitchen is known for its exceptional service and fine dining experience. The emphasis is on quality ingredients cooked in a refined way with menu highlights including duck parfait and chilli quail.

The Star serves up traditional Aussie meat and fish dishes in a casual family-friendly environment with a wide variety of beers to match. Finally, for quaint afternoon tea with spectacular views of the sea a visit to Time and Tide-Tearoom & High Tea by the High Sea is a must.

Port Fairy's arts and culture

The Port Fairy Visitor Information Centre is an excellent place to start for those who want to explore the town's culture. The centre offers an Art Map which details a range of small local galleries and exhibition spaces which are within walking distance of each other. The Whale Bone Gallery is one of the venues participating in the scheme and is a co-operative run space whcih displays a mix of photography, glasswork and textile pieces.

To discover the heritage of the local area visitors to the town should head to the Port Fairy History Centre. A range of photos and documents explore Port Fairy's past and the museum has published several books and leaflets on the subject.

The fascinating Macarthur Historical Society Museum explores the infamous trials which were held at the courthouse over the years. The trial of the naked horseman is one such fascinating event detailed at the museum.

Family holidays in Port Fairy

Port Fairy has numerous attractions for children of all ages from the perennially cool skate park, situated in Campbell Street, to the endless stretches of beaches. The young and the young at heart should head to Yambuk's sand dunes to experience the thrill of the giant dune slide and the Big4 has a fantastic 18 hole mini golf hole which is the perfect day out for the whole family. Finally, on the rare off chance of a rainy day, the Belfast Aquatic Centre has a fantastic pool and during the school holidays they hold inflatable parties which wil keep the kids entertained all day.

Exploring Port Fairy

Like much of Australia, this corner of south-western Victoria is blessed with dramatic landscapes and many areas of outstanding natural beauty. Moyne Shire offers several recreational spots which are ideal for picnics and afternoons spent reading under leafy trees.

A little further afield is Mt Eccles National Park. At its centre is the glorious Lake Surprise which is perfect for swimming on a hot summer day. Close to the lake there is an extinct network of tunnels that once carried lava from volcanic eruptions.

The arrival of the mutton birds on Griffin Island is one of Port Fairy's must-see natural occurrences. These short-tailed shearwaters arrive annual towards of the end of September and each dusk between September and March visitors can be the birds going back to their burrows for the evening.

Just 12 kilometres to the west of the town are the impressive crags. An important site of both cultural and archaeological significance, the crags offer stunning panoramic views and a home to the local fairy penguins.

Frequently Asked Questions