Port Fairy accommodation from AU$175

A coastal town established as a whaling station in 1835, Port Fairy has since become a popular tourist destination, especially because of the annual Port Fairy Folk Festival. The festival, which is held during the Labour Day long weekend in March each year, is a famous event that brings together a diverse range of music and entertainment including blues, soul and world music. The Moyneyana Festival is another hit event with families and is held on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve each year. The festival features giant slides, barbecues, a marching band and a fireworks spectacular held at midnight. What better way to ring in the New Year?

If you can’t make it to these events, don’t worry – there’s plenty to do in Port Fairy all year round. Head out on a sailing or fishing adventure from Port Fairy’s wharf or hop on a cruise to the nearby Lady Julia Percy Island to watch playful fur seals basking and frolicking in the water. Take a walk along the wharf and down to the local port, one of the busiest in Australia, to watch fishermen unloading their fresh catches of fish and abalone. Of course, you can also tuck into plates stacked high with these ocean delicacies at one of the many eateries in Port Fairy’s CBD.

If you prefer to stick to land, Port Fairy has some great experiences within half an hour of the CBD. To the east of Port Fairy sits the Toer Hill State Game Reserve sits inside an extinct volcano and will give you the perfect opportunity to meet koalas, kangaroos and other native Aussie animals. Heading west? You can’t miss the Codrington Wind Farm, an area with 14 wind turbines that generate an alternative source of energy for the Australian people. You can even tour the farm and make your way through the surrounding countryside for a unique experience. Also remember to pack your golf kit when you visit Port Fairy as its Golf Club is one of the best in Victoria, set on the ocean edge and offering stunning views. Just don’t hit the ball too far!

Port Fairy is located four hours from Melbourne and is at the end of the world-famous Great Ocean Road Drive. Alternatively, catch a train from Melbourne to Warrnambool then hop on a quick bus trip to arrive in Port Fairy. No matter how you get here, a stay in one of our Port Fairy hotels is sure to be a coastal holiday of a lifetime.