Port Fairy Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Griffiths Island Lighthouse showing rugged coastline
Port Fairy featuring rugged coastline
Port Fairy showing a bay or harbour
Port Fairy showing a bay or harbour
Port Fairy featuring a bay or harbour

The last stop on the Great Ocean RoadOpens in a new window and Victoria’s rugged Shipwreck Coast is a charming fishing village with heritage buildings, great beaches and a folk festival.

Experience Port Fairy’s 19th-century charm when you stroll down portside promenades lined with whitewashed cottages. Watch boats rocking in the wharf as fishermen unload the daily catch and make your way down to the beach for a swim. Port Fairy has a captivating local arts scene, with plenty of boutiques, galleries and antiques stores to explore. The town is no stranger to visitors, with thousands flocking to the annual folk festival to see local and international acts.

Get acquainted with Port Fairy’s intriguing history. The town’s waterfront has a large collection of heritage homes that formerly belonged to whalers, seamen and port merchants in the 1800s. Follow the Port Fairy Maritime and Shipwreck Heritage Walk to uncover this fascinating past. Victoria’s oldest licensed hotel, the Caledonian Inn, has offered a place for weary seamen to enjoy a pint since 1844.

Wander down to the Fisherman’s Wharf, which is one of Victoria’s busiest fishing ports. Crayfish and abalone are among the haul that local fishermen bring in daily. From here, you can join a guided fishing charter, board a sightseeing cruise to the seal colonies on Lady Julia Percy Island or spot southern right whales in the cooler months. If the sun is shining, it’s time to hit one of Port Fairy’s three main beaches. Try stand-up paddleboarding in the still waters or join a surfing class if the swell is right.

Some of the town’s best outlooks are from the historic fortifications at Battery Hill and the charming Port Fairy LighthouseOpens in a new window on Griffiths Island. For a green escape, explore the 19th-century Botanic Gardens.

Each Labor Day Weekend in March, the town swells with people arriving for the Port Fairy Folk Festival. See international acts and local folk personalities at this popular and long-running celebration.

Port Fairy is situated on Victoria’s southwestern coast. It is approximately 3.5 hours’ drive from MelbourneOpens in a new window and a half-hour drive from WarrnamboolOpens in a new window. It is accessible from both by public transit.

The Victoria
The Victoria
4 out of 5
48-50 Bank St, Port Fairy, VIC
The price is ฿4,111 per night from 14 May to 15 May
฿4,111
฿4,889 total
14 May - 15 May
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star apartment in Port Fairy. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an in-room coffee maker and climate control. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (737 reviews)
"Spacious and located in the centre of town"

Reviewed on 4 May 2025

The Victoria
A1 Motels Port Fairy Motel and Apartments
A1 Motels Port Fairy Motel and Apartments
3 out of 5
124 Princes Highway, Port Fairy, VIC
The price is ฿2,736 per night from 13 May to 14 May
฿2,736
฿3,010 total
13 May - 14 May
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star motel in Port Fairy. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a garden. Our guests praise the clean rooms in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (181 reviews)
"Nice place to stay."

Reviewed on 4 May 2025

A1 Motels Port Fairy Motel and Apartments
The Caledonian Inn
The Caledonian Inn
2.5 out of 5
41 Bank St, Port Fairy, VIC
The price is ฿3,271 per night from 17 May to 18 May
฿3,271
฿3,598 total
17 May - 18 May
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Port Fairy. Enjoy free parking, daily housekeeping and premium bedding. Popular attractions Eclectic Designs Glass Blowing Studio and Port ...
"Very nice old hotel. Room clean and comfortable. Attached to pub which had great meals and atmosphere."

Reviewed on 13 Apr 2025

The Caledonian Inn
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
The Victoria
The Victoria
4 out of 5
48-50 Bank St, Port Fairy, VIC
Stay at this 4-star apartment in Port Fairy. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an in-room coffee maker and climate control. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (737 reviews)
"Spacious and located in the centre of town"

Reviewed on 4 May 2025

The Victoria
Douglas Riverside
Douglas Riverside
2.5 out of 5
85 Gipps St, Port Fairy, VIC
Stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Port Fairy. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a garden. Popular attractions East Beach and Port Fairy Coastal Reserve ...
"Excellent service that gave us an upgrade, beautiful location on the river within a 5-10 walking distance of pubs & restaurants"

Reviewed on 29 Jan 2025

Douglas Riverside
Clonmara Country House & Cottages
Clonmara Country House & Cottages
3.5 out of 5
106 Princes Highway, Port Fairy, VIC
Stay at this 3.5-star cottage in Port Fairy. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a garden. Popular attractions Eclectic Designs Glass Blowing Studio and Go Surf ...
"It was a lovely little place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the world. The property had what we needed. The only thing lacking was the hole in the fly screen on the back door which let the flies in. The place itself was beautiful. I would go back."

Reviewed on 16 Apr 2025

Clonmara Country House & Cottages
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Reviews of Port Fairy

4.6
Top destination
5 - Excellent
3
5 - Excellent 60%
4 - Good
2
4 - Good 40%
3 - Okay
0
3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Kenneth

Very quiet and laded back town. Felt like we were transported back to the 50's.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Friendly town, good vibe, lovely shops and galleries and great eateries.