Top Things To Do And See In Port Fairy, Australia

Port Fairy Light House on Griffith Island | ©Ed Dunens/ flickr

Port Fairy, while some distance away from Melbourne‘s center, remains a town of historic significance, filled with local art at every corner, quality produce, beautiful scenery, relaxing beaches and numerous eateries. Whatever the season, there is something for everyone to enjoy in Port Fairy.

Visit The Whale Bone Gallery

This co-operative gallery, run by six local artists, displays some interesting and unique exhibits such as sculptures, jewelry, paintings and much more. Located in the small coastal village, The Whale Bone Gallery exhibits the finest showings of creativity and talent in Port Fairy. Using a variety of media including paint, ink, textiles, glass, photography and stone, the artists demonstrate their passion for highlighting local handmade art.

Opening Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Address and telephone number: 39a Bank St, Port Fairy, Victoria, Australia, +61 3 5568 2855

Discover the Wharf area

Back in 1850, the Wharf area in Port Fairy was one of the busiest locales in the community. The Wharf was previously a central departure point in the state of Victoria for ships loaded up with wool, gold and wheat exports bound for Britain. Today, it is still busy around the wharf with luxury yachts and weathered boats sitting in rows down the marina. If you like going for walks, exploring, sightseeing, or even just to relax this is perhaps the best place to see and experience Port Fairy.

Address: 29 Gipps St, Port Fairy VIC 3284, Australia

Wharf area in Port Fairy| ©Ed Dunens/Flickr

Relax at the Port Fairy Day Spa

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Time to relax | ©Andreas/Pixabay

Need a day to relax? This day spa invites locals and travelers to experience a wholly peaceful ambiance, with the promise of total tranquility and bliss. The Port Fairy Day Spa includes a number of soothing activities to experience, including massages, facials, a range of body treatments, water treatments, hand and feet treatments, and detox saunas. Their promise is to keep their customers the focus of the day and provide the best experience they can give. Opening Hours: Monday to Friday: 9 a.m. – 6.30 p.m.; Saturday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Sunday: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

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56 Bank Street, Port Fairy, Victoria, 3284, Australia

+61355681161

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Take a lesson at the Port Fairy Surf School

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Surfing in Port Fairy | ©Ed Dunens/flickr

If you have ever wanted to learn how to surf, try the Port Fairy Surf School for size. At this Victorian South West Coast’s longest running surf school, sea lovers can take surf lessons tailored to every imaginable level of fitness in a safe environment with experts and friendly staff all around. If hitting the waves are not your thing, try out one of the kayak adventures or, if full water immersion is really what you are after, then a snorkel safari will be right up your alley. Whichever it is, a fun-filled day awaits for adults and children alike.

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33 Bank Street, Port Fairy, Victoria, 3284, Australia

+61409947362

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Check out 180 Miles by Bike Art Gallery

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The ‘180 Miles by Bike’ art gallery is a newly opened tourist attraction, displaying more local artwork. Owned by John Davis and located next to his two holiday cottages, the gallery gives insight into artworks made by him and other artists around the area. The themes shown in Davis’s artworks are the ‘appreciations of life.’ The gallery also holds a collection of paintings, ceramics, vintage collectibles and much more, similar to the aforementioned Whale Bone gallery. It would be good to compare both galleries to each other to get a taste of the different works and similarities between the galleries. Opening Hours: Monday to Friday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

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Victoria, Australia

Discover the History Center

History is an important aspect in the picturesque town of Port Fairy; it is filled with exciting and thrilling stories, which give insight into how Port Fairy came to be. The history center allows visitors to engage in their very own historical re-enactments in the courtrooms and explore photographs of the town’s history in the center’s gallery. The history center also features a number of changing displays covering various aspects of the town’s past. Additionally, the center sells a number of local history publications. This is the place for people who want to get a bit of background information on the town and get knowledge of local spots to sightsee.

Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday: 6.30 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Friday: 6.30 a.m. – 12 p.m.; Saturday: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Sunday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Address and telephone number: 30 Gipps Street Port Fairy, Victoria, Australia, +61 3 5568 2263

Historical Wagon | © Mattinbgn/WikiCommons

Try out Merrijig Kitchen

The Merrijig Kitchen is one of the best eateries in Port Fairy, famous for its seasonal food sourced fresh from local artisan producers and farmers and its exquisite wine selection. Combine this with a cozy fireplace and dimly illuminated setting and you have yourself a wonderfully homely and atmospheric restaurant suitable for small groups of friends as well as a date.

Opening Hours: Thursday to Monday: 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Address and telephone number: 1 Campbell St, Port Fairy VIC 3284, Australia, +61 3 5568 2324

Have a drink at the Caledonian Inn

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Caledonian Inn - One of the oldest Pubs in Victoria

If you love to eat, the Caledonian is one of the most famous and oldest pubs in Melbourne. The inn is renowned for its ginormous steaks – it is said that only one customer has ever been able to eat the whole steak. With friendly staff, the welcoming setting and efficient service, it is hard not to fault the place, especially when it is always packed with both locals and tourists. It features mostly classic Aussie pub meals and has been commended for its readily available cold beers. A great place to bring the family.

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41 Bank Street, Port Fairy, Victoria, 3284, Australia

+61355681044

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Visit the Glass Blowing Studio

Eclectic designs: Glass blowing studio is a regular attraction for both local and tourists, but mostly for tourists looking to buy handmade and unique pieces of art glass. You can also watch the process of artists making the glass and talk to the artists about their work. You can purchase blown glass, jewelry, cast glass and sculpture among the studio wares. If you are desperate to get a look, you can always have a look on their online site and buy jewelry and blown glass from there.

Opening Hours: Thursday to Monday: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Address and telephone number: 62 Regent St, Port Fairy VIC 3284, Australia, +61 3 5568 2794

Explore Griffiths Island

Griffiths Island, where the Moyne River meets the ocean, makes for lovely one-hour easy walks with some good swimming spots around the area. Its photogenic landscape provides many photo opportunities for tourists and trails for ramblers to walk around the surrounding beaches and land. Griffiths Island also has a small lighthouse and protected mutton-bird colony; they descend on the town each October and stay until April. The best time is to go at dusk to capture the best scenic views and witness the wildlife.

Address: Port Fairy VIC 3284, Australia