Attractions Around Port Fairy and District
Spend some time exploring Griffiths Island, together with its historic lighthouse.
Easily accessible from the car park at Martins point via a short walk along the connecting causeway.
Each year this island in the heart of Port Fairy becomes a giant breeding rookery for thousands of 
Short tailed Shearwaters or Mutton Birds as they are known. The birds arrive back a Griffiths Island within 3 days either side of the 22nd September each year after a 30,000 km flight that takes them to the far northern Pacific via Japan and back via California and then across the Pacific. Once they begin feeding their young in mid January thousands of the birds can be seen returning at dusk to their nest tunnels with food for the hungry youngsters.
Lighthouse Griffiths Island
The Lighthouse which is 11 metres high was built from bluestone in 1859 and is visible 12 km out to sea. Port Fairy began life as a whaling station and later developed into a major fishing port with the light guiding many fisherman home in the dark.
Take a leisurely stroll along the wharf.
Port Fairy Wharf
Check out the yachts and boats moored alongside, you will also find the historic Port Fairy life boat now restored.
Feeling peckish? Have some hot chips or choose some fresh fish or a cray or two for dinner, or maybe bait a hook and catch your own.
.
And Then There’s the Beach…
Just on the other side of the street from Sandy Cove is the East Beach, a great expanse of golden sand and fantastic surf, or, if you prefer something quieter there’s the South Beach known locally as Pea Soup with a sheltered swimming bay.
Or you can just wander, watch the waves, check out rock pools or not do much at all except enjoy yourself.
East Beach Port Fairy
Take a Walk Around the Historic Town
Port Fairy has many around fifty historic buildings and a walk around the town will show you some of the buildings from the very early days through to the grand stone structures of the boom period. A visit to the history centre will put you on the right track to see them and give you much information.
Port Fairy Historic Building
Caledonian Hotel Port Fairy Victorias Oldest Licenced Pub
Port Fairy is one of Victoria’s earliest settlements with buildings dating to the 1840’s allowing an intimate glimpse of past splendour with modest cottages to grand buildings and the beautiful gardens that go with some of them.
This is a towm where the early settlers and pioneers don’t feel far away.
Day Trips Around Port Fairy
Port Fairy puts you at the centre of some of the most scenic and historic places in Victoria, all are within easy driving distance and are worth the trip.
Port Fairy Victoria Australia
Starting with the Henty’s in 1834 Portland has progressed through agriculture, whaling, fishing, commerce and industry much assisted by its deep water port. Visit Cape Bridgewater for a view of the large colony of fur seals or the petrified forest.
ON THE WAY TO PORTLAND VISIT…
The Crags Port Fairy
The Crags…
The Crags, 12 km along the highway provides extensive views along the sweeping coastline and across the water to Julia Percy Island.
A very rugged and towering stretch of coastline it provides glimpses of unique coastal biodiversity and is also a site of considerable archaeological significance with aboriginal connections including middens, burial sites and dream time stories.
Yambuk Lake…
A few minutes further along is the listed “Important Wetland” Yambuk Lake which is a popular fishing spot with a boat ramp.
Yambuk Lake
Across the dunes on the ocean beach is perfect for surf fishing.
Codrington Wind Farm…
Codringtom Wind Farm
This next stop is another few minutes along the road. The wind farm with 34 huge rotors is impossible to miss and can be seen from a viewing platform. Guided tours are also available. The original 14 towers were Victoria’s first wind farm built in 2001 and a further 20 added in 2005. They really are big structures up close.
>
HEAD EAST
Visit A Volcano…
Tower Hill Extinct Volcano
Tower Hill, (midway between Port Fairy and Warrnambool) formed approximately 30,000 years ago and last erupted about 7,000 years ago, at some stage hot magma came in contact with the water table and the resulting explosion blew the top out of the existing cone creating a crater lake with islands.
Today Tower Hill has an excellent visitor centre and many native Australian animals such as koalas, emus, kangaroos, echidnas, and possums, as well as waterbirds and magpie geese can easily be seen.
The Bay of Islands and Port Campbell National Park
The Bay of Islands Coastal Park…
Stretching from a little past Warrnambool to Peterborough in a 32 km long narrow strip has spectacular ocean views and protects a variety of rare flora and fauna species within its coastal heathland environment.
Bay Of Islands
Parts of the park that are accessible to visitors are concentrated at the eastern (Peterborough) end of the park, beginning at Wild Dog Cove. This is adjoined by the Bay of Martyrs, a lengthy bay with spectacular scenery. Several accessible smaller bays such as Worm Bay, Crofts Bay, Boat Bay, and in the western section of the park, Childers Cove also offer magnificent views and secluded beaches.
Port Campbell National Park…
Famous for the Twelve Apostles and historic shipwrecks, Port Campbell National Park contains the most significant areas of vegetation and fauna native to south-western Victoria. The diverse range of coastal environments includes woodlands, dunes, wetlands, coastal cliffs, limestone stacks and arches.
The Twelve Apostles are stacks are made of rock formed up to 20 million years ago, and are created by the sea gradually eroding the soft limestone cliffs. The coast is slowly changing and there are frequent small rock falls. There are also infrequent major events, the most recent occurred on Sunday 3 July 2005 when a large stack collapsed.
Loch Ard Gorge…
Loch Ard Gorge
There is good access to the Wreck Lookout at Loch Ard Gorge. The track leading down to the beach in the gorge is well constructed but has steep slopes and steps. There are no toilets or picnic facilities at this site, but both are available at Port Campbell and at Twelve Apostles. From the car park a number of walks along the coast can be enjoyed on good tracks.
Many thanks to Parks Victoria for information.
