Meander pathways midst quirky bluestone buildings and wonder at the heritage of the region
The charming seaside village of Port Fairy has over 50 classified buildings of historic significance and the best way to appreciate this legacy is on foot. Two walking trails have been established within Port Fairy to explore the towns history, the Port Fairy Heritage Trail and Maritime Heritage Trail. Self-guided walking maps or guided walking tours are available via the Visitor Information Centre.
A township of both historical and architectural significance, Koroit lies midway between Warrnambool and Port Fairy, nestled against the northern slopes of Tower Hill. Koroit has a strong Irish herritage with immigrants lured by the availability of land and the rich volcanic soil in which to grow crops such as potatoes, onions and wheat. The Koroit Heritage Trail explores edwardian architecture, gracious public buildings, tiny worker’s cottages and gardens littered throughout town.
Sitting at the bottom of one of Victoria’s most recently active volcanoes, Mortlake is rich in both natural and early settler history. First surveyed in 1836-37, Mortlake is lined with bluestone buildings and trees planted to honour servicemen and women from WW1 and WW2. Appreciate the delightful bluestone buildings throughout the town with 22 significant sites marked on the Mortlake Heritage Trail.
Download Mortlake Heritage Trail
Time-travel to a hidden past as you follow the Macarthur Heritage Trail. Discover a series of plaques telling the story of times-gone-by, from the old Baker’s Shop to the police gaol cell. Visit the courthouse and explore a rich archive of family lines, news and tales from the past.
Take a journey back in time with a walk around the very old Tower Hill cemetery. The cemetery is the resting place of many early pioneers and settlers of the historic region.
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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.