Create fabulous family memories on this 4-day tour in a destination where whimsy, play and creativity come naturally.
Discover the inspiring, quirky and quaint family holiday destination that is Port Fairy. Share lazy beach days or get active with surfing lessons.
Reconnect with nature in stunning landscapes where wildlife watching rules. Get up close to koalas, kangaroos, birds in flight … creating everlasting family memories. Open up your imagination and connect with games and giggles, and follow your senses to playgrounds built for all-day fun and adventure.
Explore a tidal rock pool, whir down a giant slide and be a captain for a day on a local cruise. Finish the day with fish and chips fresh off the boat, with views over some of the most stunning coastline in the State.
From cartwheels on the sand to exploring village life, be surprised and delighted to discover such a vibrant and creative community within a beautifully preserved historic village.
This self-drive tour enables your family to connect in a stunning coastal location. With a range of all-ages activities, it provides the time, for your family to be inspired by an artisan community and engage in authentic one-of-a kind adventures.
Whether you are looking for a holiday park with fun-filled family activities, a beach house with picturesque ocean views, a riverfront cottage with a private jetty, or a pet-friendly stay for the fur baby, Port Fairy has so many options for the perfect places to stay.
Time to catch some waves in an afternoon surfing or stand up boarding lesson at the beach or on the Moyne River!
Your Go Surf instructors are ready with wetsuits and boards for the whole family. Get started with beach-based technique and surf safety info, before you hit the light surf in waist deep water under the careful watch of your instructor. Surf coaches will patiently help get you up and riding, giving feedback on your technique, keeping an eye on everyone’s safety, encouraging you and making sure you all have fun. Just imagine — you and the kids riding waves together on Port Fairy’s East Beach, one of the safest beaches in Victoria. Who takes to the waves like a pro and who belly-flops their way into the seaweed? Memories are made of this.https://portfairyaustralia.com.au/explore/tower-hill-state-game-reserve/
Hot Tip: Wear a swimsuit or boardies and bring a towel and lots of sunscreen. Don’t forget a camera! Everything else you need is provided.
Soak up the historic charm of this bluestone fishing village painted along the picturesque Moyne River and play in Port Fairy Bay.
Formed in a dormant volcano, Tower Hill State Game Reserve is a 10 minute drive from Port Fairy. It’s the ideal place to experience Australia’s most iconic native creatures including emus, koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, black swans and seasonal reptiles.
If you’ve never tried ‘bush tucker’, put Worn Gundidj at Tower Hill on your bucket list. Join a local Indigenous guide to gain a deep understanding of traditional culture and lifestyles, and also learn how to identify native plants used for food and medicine. Will you try some? Chance your arm and find out who’s the best boomerang thrower in your family.
Settle in for an afternoon full of new favourite things!
Immerse your family in a real farm experience, complete with a flock of Babydoll sheep and a friendly mob of ducks and chickens at Basalt Winery. While the kids play, parents can try a glass (or two) and chat to the local wine-maker. Pop in for lunch before picking up a couple of bottles of award-winning wine, then make a beeline to Killarney Beach; with miles of unspoilt beaches and crystal clear waters, you’re sure to find a quiet spot for a late afternoon splash or game of beach cricket. This hidden gem boasts’ Victoria’s best whiting fishing, safe snorkelling, reef diving and paddling in a natural lagoon.
Hot Tip: Best not to drink and swim — the wine is ideally served later with dinner.
Sea breeze and tall trees make Port Fairy the perfect escape to nature. Connect with indigenous history and culture. There’s nothing better than fresh air, good food and nature to nourish the body and soul.
Travel 10 minutes west of Port Fairy and escape to the Crags and Yambuk Lake, where you can whizz down the sand dunes on one of Australia’s longest slides.
At the Crags, scale the steps to the top of the dunes and be rewarded with panoramic views along the coast out to Lady Julia Percy Island (Deen Maar). But that’s only half the fun! The real joy is whirring down the slide, fresh air on your face and wind in your hair as you slip-slide your way to the bottom of this 33-metre local icon at Yambuk Lake. Bring a picnic, BBQ some snags and dangle a line in the lake — it’s all within easy reach of a playground, toilet and parking facilities.
Hot Tip: The beach here is beautiful, so take the walking track through the dunes. Who’s first to dip their toes in the shallows?
As the afternoon settles in, take the scenic drive back to Pea Soup; one of Port Fairy’s most picturesque beaches. Take time to discover the curious creatures living in the rock pools and see who can spot the weirdest creature. There’s amazing diversity along the coastline and your little ones will be fascinated by the miniature worlds that exist within the rock pools. You’ll make amazing discoveries and life-long memories on a leisurely amble together along the beach and rocky foreshore. Marvel at the surfers catching a wave or enjoy the windswept coastline with incredible views. What’s the sea washed up today?
Hot Tip: Remember to leave creatures where you found them and leave the shells where they are; marine creatures use them for their homes.
Located along the magnificent Great Ocean Road, Port Fairy is a quiet enclave on the edge of the dramatic Southern Ocean. Explore the scenic coastline and diverse natural attractions.
Fuel up for your last day in Port Fairy with a scrumptious breakfast at one of our many cafes. Can’t decide? Put The Farmer’s Wife or Rebecca’s Cafe at the top of your list for their use of local produce.
With bellies full, grab your walking shoes or your bikes and hit the Port Fairy to Warrnambool Rail Trail. The trail stretches out for 37.2km but you can explore as far or as near as you like! Suitable for all ages and fitness levels, the shared trail is away from traffic and meanders along the coast: through rural landscapes and farming communities, into remnant forest, and skirts the edge of a 25,000-year-old volcano (Tower Hill). Race you to the top?
Hot Tip: To make sure you don’t miss the best sights, hire a bike and pick up a rail trail brochure at the Port Fairy Visitor Information Centre.
Treat the kids to ice cream at Rebecca’s or old-fashioned lollies at Port Fairy Confectionery Shop. Who can make a raspberry drop last the longest?
Indulge in some retail therapy in Port Fairy’s famous fashion boutiques, where shoppers unearth a surprising range of eclectic and distinctive styles. Homewares, body care, accessories, jewellery and trinkets are all on offer, too. There are the never-ending second-hand books at Blarney Books and Art, or a fossick through the wares at quirky collectables and antiques shops. You’ll find treasures and keepsakes for everyone.
Finish the day with the freshest ever feed of fish and chips, shared along the wharf against the backdrop of the port and the beautiful Moyne River. Sigh.
Hot Tip: Why not take the region’s fabulous flavours home with you? Load up the boot with amazing fresh local produce, artisan cheeses and organic wines.
Walk the wide open streets with a fresh coffee in hand and find a handmade treasure at one of the many artisan boutiques.
Sign up to get the latest deals, tours & events along the Great Ocean Road
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.
