A Day in Port Fairy
Explore Griffiths Island
Explore Griffiths Island
Plan for an early morning visit to Griffith’s Island to watch the sunrise over the spectacular Port Fairy Lighthouse, at the eastern tip of the island, a short 20 min walk from Martin’s Point Car Park. This iconic beacon was built c.1859 of local bluestone and still sends its light out to sea today. The Island was named Griffith’s Island after John Griffiths, who established Port Fairy’s whaling industry on the island in the 1830’s. As you wander the pathways to the lighthouse keep an eye out for native birdlife and wildlife including the black wallaby (Wallabia bicolor). Continue around the island enjoying the rugged coastline and the small-protected coves. Keep to the walking tracks which traverse through the low lying scrub, keeping a careful eye out for nesting birds, including the shearwaters that migrate from the northern hemisphere each year to their nesting burrows.
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Griffiths Island
Ocean Dr, Port Fairy
Walk around town
Shopping
While in the main town browse the boutique Shopping Precinct of Port Fairy and meet the passionate traders who have fashioned this village into a style in its own right. Here, shopping is enjoyable and entertaining and a touch quirky. The charming, old-world main streets house a dynamic collection of home wares, antiques, jewelers and ladies fashion boutiques which offer fledgling labels, known brands and eclectic styles. Pick-up a unique gift for that special loved one or a classy keepsake. Discover your next favourite read in one of two bookshops or simply browse to your heart’s content.
Visitor Information Centre
Head down Bank Street and pay a visit to the friendly staff at the Port Fairy Information Centre to collect a town map, and a self -guided walking map including the Art Map, the Maritime & Shipwreck Heritage Walk and the Historical Buildings Heritage Walk. You can also hire a bike or e-bike here if you want to explore a little further.
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Port Fairy Visitor Information Centre
Railway Place, Bank St, Port Fairy
Maritime & Shipwreck Heritage Walk
We suggest if the weather is fine that you commence with the Maritime & Shipwreck Heritage Walk, which will take you to Battery Hill and East Beach to discover the history of the Port and its iconic features including Battery Hill, the Powder Magazine and the Historic Lifeboat Station. The guide will also have you passing a memorial to the steamer Casino and the sites of 17 shipwrecks that unfortunately ran aground along East Beach. Or you may choose to complete the Historical Buildings Heritage Walk which will provide a tour around the town historical buildings which can be conducted either on foot or by car if the weather is inclement. The nearby Merrijig Inn is one of the town’s oldest buildings and offers accommodation and a lovely restaurant year-round – book in for dinner to sample an ever-changing menu featuring what’s in season locally.
Port Fairy Museum and Archives
If time allows, and the History Centre Museum is open, drop into the Museum and Archives centre of Port Fairy. The Museum and Archives feature changing exhibitions covering various aspects of Port Fairy’s past. They sell a number of local history publications and offer a wealth of information on the history of the town, its colourful past, historical people and places.
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Port Fairy Museum and Archives
30 Gipps Street, Port Fairy
Bird Watching
And then come full circle at the right time of the year, with a return journey to Griffith’s Island to witness the Short-tailed Shearwaters or Mutton Birds at dusk, one of Port Fairy’s most spectacular summer sights. Each year, towards the end of September the Short-tailed Shearwaters arrive on Griffiths Island as part of their annual migration from their far flung journey in the Northern Hemisphere, the Aleutian Islands near Alaska. Following the preparation of their nests, and laying and incubating of their eggs in January, the birds leave again for the Northern Hemisphere in April. The birds will spend the summer months here raising their young, fishing during the day, returning with food for their young and then set off again in mid-April. So, at dusk join the many birdwatchers who are certainly in for a treat from late September until April as the Short-tailed Shearwaters return daily to their burrows on Griffith’s Island – certainly a memorable ending to your day in Port Fairy.
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Griffiths Island
Ocean Dr, Port Fairy
Nightlife
Oak and Anchor Hotel
A town of historic buildings is also one with options for a nightcap. Try the Oak and Anchor Hotel, which is a fully transformed venue, with boutique accommodation, and Sidro Bar and Grill – a great dining spot or lovely setting for a night-cap. In summer the Lawn bar operates with live music on weekends.
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The Oak and Anchor Hotel
9 Bank Street, Port Fairy
The Caledonian Inn
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The Calendonian Inn
41 Bank St, Port Fairy
