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 ₹11,102 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
₹11,102
₹13,246 total
27 Jul - 28 Jul
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! (746 reviews)
Convenient
"It was great, in a great location"

Reviewed on 17 Jul 2025

The Victoria
The Caledonian Inn

The Caledonian Inn

2.5 out of 5
41 Bank St, Port Fairy, VIC
Stay at this motel in Port Fairy. Enjoy free parking, daily housekeeping and premium bedding. Popular attractions Eclectic Designs Glass Blowing Studio and Port ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (161 reviews)
"Absolutely a terrific stay."

Reviewed on 16 Jul 2025

The Caledonian Inn
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 ₹6,107 per night from 25 Jul to 26 Jul
₹6,107
₹6,818 total
25 Jul - 26 Jul
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! (193 reviews)
"Stayed here a couple of times now and it’s always a quiet clean place to stay."

Reviewed on 20 Jun 2025

A1 Motels Port Fairy Motel and Apartments
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! (746 reviews)
Convenient
"It was great, in a great location"

Reviewed on 17 Jul 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 ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (6 reviews)
"Very nice and clean room."

Reviewed on 14 May 2025

Douglas Riverside
Sandstone Suites

Sandstone Suites

3 out of 5
1A Grant St, Port Fairy, VIC
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Port Fairy. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an in-room coffee maker. Popular attractions Eclectic Designs Glass Blowing Studio ...
10/10 Exceptional! (2 reviews)
"Really nice comfortable room with all the amenities you would want at a competitive price."

Reviewed on 13 Jul 2025

Sandstone Suites
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.

Popular places to visit

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.