Nestled along Victoria’s stunning coastline, Port Fairy beckons families seeking an unforgettable winter retreat. With its rich blend of natural wonders, cultural treasures, and cosy accommodations, this charming seaside town promises a weekend getaway filled with exploration and relaxation.
Southcombe Cabins
Embrace the warmth of a cosy fire and stunning views at Southcombe Cabins. Nestled conveniently close to Port Fairy’s attractions, these cabins offer a perfect home-away-from-home experience for families. Enjoy modern amenities and the peaceful ambience, making it an ideal retreat after a day of exploring the charms of Port Fairy.
Gardens Caravan Park & Cabins
Retreat to Gardens Holiday Park for a cosy stay amidst tranquil gardens. Choose from comfortable cabins equipped with modern amenities, providing a relaxing haven after a day of exploration.
Don’t want to stay directly in Port Fairy?
Why not try Yambuk Lake or Koroit-Tower Hill.
Griffiths Island & Lighthouse
Bike, skate and scoot the 1.2km return trail to Griffith’s Islands Eastern tip and discover the historic Port Fairy Lighthouse, built in 1859. This local bluestone lighthouse is still operational but today is solar powered and fully automatic – the last lighthouse keeper left the island in the early 1950’s.
Griffith’s Island is a natural sanctuary for native animals. Keep an eye out for wallabies, blue-tongue lizards, echidnas and over 80 species of birds. It’s also the perfect nesting ground for the Short-tailed Shearwater or ‘Mutton bird’ and a great location for whale spotting from June to October.
Water Fun at East Beach
Surf’s up at East Beach! Perfect for learning to surf with family-friendly waves. This beautiful 5.8km crescent-shaped surf spot stretches from the mouth of the Moyne River to Reef Point with a patrolled area located out the front of the surf club. If there’s no surf, grab a snorkel and check out the small kelp forest and the fish that call it home near the front of the surf club.
Fishing from the Moyne River Boardwalk
Like to catch your own lunch? Let the kids throw in a rod from the boardwalk of the Moyne River. This is one of the busiest ports in Victoria and it’s well worth a watch as the local fisherman offload their morning catch of crayfish and abalone. Guided fishing charters can also take you out to sea if you fancy.
Mini Golf Adventures
Set within landscaped gardens with paved walkways and its very own Mount Kosciuszko! The tricky greens will challenge and confront any keen enthusiast. There are several arches, tunnels and obstacles to navigate around as you put your putting skills to the test. The course is open daily from 8am until dusk and is available to the public. Special discount rates apply for guests of BIG4 Port Fairy Holiday Park.
Search Rockpools at Pea Soup
A big hit with young families are the Pea Soup rockpools. Crabs, sea stars and all kinds of other ocean critters can be easily discovered. It is also a sheltered swimming spot so if the weather is a little wild Pea Soup remains one of the safest beaches around.
Port Fairy Confectionery
After a huge day the kids deserve an ol’ world treat on main street. Parents can relive their childhood too with classic favourites such as umbrellas, lollypops, licorice blocks, sherbert fountains and jars of boiled English lollies or spoil themselves with a little something from the specialty chocolate range.
Lake Pertobe
Lake Pertobe Adventure Playground is a must see year-round family favourite attraction in Warrnambool. It’s even listed in the Top 10 Parks in the South Pacific Region on Trip Advisor. And no wonder – this eight hectare adventure playground is paradise for kids with giant slides, flying foxes, maze, skate park and boat rides. There are lovely walking tracks around the lakes, and the park features delightful picnic areas, lawn tennis courts and sheltered barbecue facilities.
Budj Bim Cultural Landscape & Tae Rak Aquacultural Centre
Only a 40 minute drive from Port Fairy, Budj Bim National Park, previously known as Mount Eccles, is home to a tranquil crater lake, lava canals and caves in a lush bushland setting. Enjoy a picnic, camp and walk among Manna Gums teeming with native wildlife. Discover the rich cultural heritage of Budj Bim and the natural wonders of this ancient, volcanic landscape.
The wider Budj Bim Heritage Landscape dates back thousands of years and shows evidence of large, settled communities systematically farming and smoking eels for food and trade. The Heritage Landscape area is considered one of Victoria’s earliest and largest Indigenous aquaculture ventures, and has recently been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List recognised solely for its Aboriginal cultural values.The Budj Bim Cultural Landscape features the earliest living example of aquaculture in the world, with a history of eel farming dating back over 6,000 years.
Let this winter getaway along Australia’s Great Ocean Road region create treasured moments and lasting memories for your family.
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Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Great Ocean Road region the Wadawurrung, Eastern Maar & Gunditjmara. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging. We recognise and respect their unique cultural heritage and the connection to their traditional lands. We commit to building genuine and lasting partnerships that recognise, embrace and support the spirit of reconciliation, working towards self-determination, equity of outcomes and an equal voice for Australia’s first people.
