The Crags to the west of Port Fairy

Port Fairy (including Lady Julia Percy Island)
Attractive and historic port on the coast to the west of the Great Ocean Road.
Port Fairy is one of those delightful towns where you feel as though if you stay another day you suddenly find a whole extra world of things to see and do. There are museums, historic walks, pleasant stretches of coastline, a fascinating harbour, charming olde worlde cottages which gleam in the sun and the Port Fairy Folk Festival (in March) is recognised as the best of its kind in Australia.

Port Fairy is located 290 km west of Melbourne on the eastern headland of Portland Bay. It was inhabited by the Knarn Kolak Aborigines long before the arrival of Europeans. They lived a simple life beside the sea and their middens testify to the success of their fishing.

In the earliest years of the nineteenth century whalers and sealers worked along this stretch of rugged coastline. Seals were used for their leather and oil and whales were vital parts of the corset, perfume and soap industries.

As early as 1810 Captain James Wishart, a sealer working the southern coast, anchored at Port Fairy. He explored the Moyne River and revisited the area regularly. By the mid-1820s the 'harbour' was known as Port Fairy, probably after Wishart's cutter 'The Fairy'.

It is known that by 1835 a whaling station had been established on the island at the mouth of the Moyne River. It was purchased by John Griffiths who has given his name to the island. It was around this time that two sealers, John and Charles Mills, built simple huts on Griffiths Island which stands at the mouth of the Moyne River. As the seals in the area were killed off the Mills brothers moved over to whaling and they were active in the area until whaling ceased in 1843. The whalers built the distinctive bluestone cottages which are still dotted throughout the town. The houses of both John and Charles Mills still stand in the town.

By 1839 John Cox, who has sailed across Bass Strait from Launceston, opened a store on the site which is now the corner of Cox and Gipps Streets.

The town began to grow in the early 1840s. In 1843 a Sydney solicitor James Atkinson purchased 5120 acres (2072 hectares) of land at Port Fairy for £1 per acre. He converted the sealing community into a modern port by draining the swamps around the town, subdividing and selling/leasing the land and building the harbour on the Moyne River. So proud was Atkinson of his handiwork that he decided to rename the town Belfast, after the Irish city which he called home. A similar project was undertaken by William Rutledge who had also received 5120 acres in 1843. The result was that Belfast became the largest privately-owned town in Australia and the few local residents, who had simply squatted prior to Atkinson's purchase, suddenly found themselves paying rent to their new landlord.

A boy fishing at the mouth of the Moyne River

As a result agriculture in the area developed rapidly and there were years when up to 20 vessels came to Port Fairy just to load the onions and potatoes for sale in Melbourne. By 1857 there were 2190 people living in Belfast. It wasn't until 1887 that the town was renamed Port Fairy, this was as a result of a special act of parliament.

Today Port Fairy prospers on a combination of tourism and fishing. It still boasts one of Victoria's largest fishing fleets. The seas provide good catches of shark (it is a deep sea angler's delight), crayfish and abalone.

Things to see:  

Historic Walks
The Port Fairy Visitor Information Centre in Bank Street has extensive information about the town. Of particular interest are the brochures which outline suitable historic walks around the town. There are over 50 historic buildings in Port Fairy and it makes sense to get a map and a brochure before attempting to explore them. There is a brochure which nominates only 13 which is manageable for those who do not wish to see all the important buildings in town.

Port Fairy History Centre
Located in Gipps Street the History Centre has a good display of memorabilia and photographs which capture a sense of what the town was like in the late 19th and early 20th century. It is located on the old Court House which dates from 1859 and is a fine example of a design by the Public Works Department which was built out of local bluestone. It was once the home of sittings for the Supreme Court, Quarter Sessions and the Magistrates Court. It is huge and the ceilings are a reminder of the importance of the town when the building was completed. It is open Wednesdays and weekends 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.; daily during school holidays. Other times by appointment.

Boats on the Moyne River at Port Fairy

Port Fairy Wharves
In many ways the greatest attraction of Port Fairy is simply to park your car down beside the Moyne River and go for a walk. The walk along the wharves is delightful and can take you up into the town (if you head north) or towards Griffiths Island if you head south. The wharves are used by casual anglers as well as the commercial anglers who bring their catch in from the Southern Ocean.

Griffiths Island
If you continue south on Gipps Street you will reach a point where you can walk across a footbridge to Griffiths Island. This is a delightful way to spend a few hours. There is a track around the island which includes the Mutton Bird Viewing point and the lighthouse on the island's eastern extremity.

The island has an interesting history. It was known as 'mallin' or 'mallone' by the local Aborigines. By 1836 there was a whaling station on the island and one of the partners running it was John Griffiths after whom the island is now named. By around 1850 a Mrs Dunlop had established a mission to Aborigines on the island. This lasted until about 1853. The current appearance of the island is partly due to the construction of a breakwater which silted up and created a situation where the part of the island where the lighthouse is actually connected with the main part of the island. The island is home to a large colony of muttonbirds (short-tailed shearwaters). The birds arrive within three days of the 22 September each year, settle in last year's burrow, mate in early November, the eggs are laid around 25 November and take around a month to hatch which means that the young start to appear in mid-January. In mid-April the birds head off on their annual migration around the Pacific. They travel an estimated 15,000 km in two months. Viewing the birds from the platform on Griffiths Island is best at dusk between September and April.

ANZ Bank
Originally known as The Colonial Bank this simple and gracious building opened its doors to the public in 1856. It is a classical Georgian design with a Georgian fanlight complementing the doorway, arched windows and iron railings around the outside. Constructed of dark bluestone and panelled inside with hardwood it was designed to serve the local farmers much more than the local whalers. Its most famous customer was the poet Adam Lindsay Gordon.

Seacombe House
Located on the corner of Sackville and Cox Streets, Seacombe House was completed in 1847 by Captain John Sanders. It was originally known as Stag Hotel and in the 1850s became the centre of the town's social life with an upstairs ballroom being used for dinners and dances. It continued as a hotel until 1873 and then became a guest house and later a boy's school.

Motts Cottage

Mott's Cottage
No one knows for certain when this historic cottage was built but it was some time in the 1830s or 1840s. The only piece of that original cottage which is left is the timber and stone rubble section. The second storey was added in the 1860s and the back section in the 1880s. Located in Sackville Street, the cottage has been restored as an example of a typical Port Fairy working man's cottage. It is located at 3 Sackville Street.

Emoh
Located at 8 Cox Street this is a fine example of an elaborate merchant's home. It was built around 1847 by William Rutledge who, at the time, was known as the 'King of Port Fairy'. At its peak this was one of the town's most famous residences. Rolf Boldrewood, who wrote 'Robbery Under Arms', recalls the wonderful hospitality that Rutledge offered before his firm crashed in 1862. After that it was a doctor's surgery until it was converted into a Youth Hostel.

The Merrijig Inn
A real insight into the early history of the town the Merrijig Inn, known as 'The Royal Merrijig Inn' when it was first built, was designed to cater for the considerable thirsts of the whalers and sealers who first settled Port Fairy. Over the years this simple building, located on the corner of Campbell and Gibbs Streets, has served as the meeting room for the local council and as a local court house. There was also a time when the authorities occupied the building and turned it into a Police Barracks housing horses as well as twelve policemen - six mounted and six foot soldiers. Over the road is an old iron cannon which was brought to Port Fairy in the 1890s when it was feared that the Russians were going to invade Victoria.

Moyne Mill
Located in Gipps Street near the wharf, the Old Moyne Mill dates from the 1860s. It was built by Dr Alexander Russell and originally it had five storeys. It is a comment on the changing nature of society that in recent times it has been used as a skating rink.

John Mills Cottage
Sometimes known as Captain Mills Cottage this was the home of John Mills, one of the brothers who were the first settlers in Port Fairy. It is located at 40 Gipps Street and is a fine example of a cottage dating from the early 1840s. From this house Mills started his importing business which saw him bringing shoes, rum and building materials to the district.

Star of the West Hotel
Located on the corner of Sackville and Bank Streets, the Star of the West Hotel was completed in 1856 by John Taylor. An impressive and solid basalt building, The Star's main claim to fame was that it was used as the town's Cobb & Co destination and consequently was the centre of the town for many years.

St Patrick's Church
The town's first Catholic Church was a wooden shed. St Patrick's is a comment on the strong Irish community which settled at Port Fairy. It was completed in 1858 at a cost of £6500 to a design by the notable local architect, Nathaniel Billing. The church, which is located on the Princes Highway, was built of basalt and Hobart stone in a typical Gothic Revival Style.

St John's Church of England
The tower of St John's can be seen from most points around the town. This Gothic Revival Church was originally planned to be the main Anglican cathedral in Western Victoria. It was built from 1853-57 of basalt. The carvings were done by local stonemason, Walter McGill, and the architect was the prolific, Nathaniel Billing.

Battery Hill and Fort
This is worth a visit simply because it offers a different perspective on the township. The guns possibly date from the 1860s and are more evidence of the concern about a Russian invasion which swept along this stretch of the coastline. The current guns were installed in 1885 but they have been rarely fired. On one occasion the vibration from the firing was so great that it broke some windows in the Moyne Mill over the river. You have to cross the Moyne to get to Battery Hill.

Woodbine House near Port Fairy

Woodbine
This was the home of Charles Mills who was one of the original settlers at Port Fairy. The two-storey, five room house with stables was constructed out of limestone rubble in 1845-46 and is an excellent example of Georgian rural architecture. It is one of the oldest farm houses in Victoria. It now stands in splendid isolation on Woodbine Road at Belfast Lough.

Shipwreck Walk
In 1988 the local council developed a walk which was named the 'Shipwreck Walk' and which starts at the local Surf Club (travel north on Gipps Street, cross the Moyne River and turn into Hughes Avenue). The walk is 2.1 km and runs from the Surf Club to the mouth of the Moyne River. The shipwrecks along this short stretch of coastline include (from north to south) the Barque Socrates which was battered and finally destroyed by huge seas in 1843; the Barque Lydia which was wrecked off the coast in 1847; the Schooner Thistle which broke her anchor chain and was wrecked on the coast in 1837 and the Brig. Essington which sank while moored at Port Fairy in 1852.

Botanical Gardens
The Port Fairy Botanical Gardens, in Fairy St, were established when the police paddocks were put aside for that purpose in 1858. The ground was swampy and reclamation work was carried out. Baron von Mueller, the original curator of the Melbourne Botanical Gardens acted as an advisor regarding the initial plantings and it is thought he supplied the aleppo and stone pines which are still growing in the Gardens today. In 1871 the Gardens were enlarged and 100 Norfolk pines planted. The land for the oval was set aside in 1887. An aviary with peacocks was established. However, the area fell into disrepair and work commenced on their revitalisation in 1986.

Lady Julia Percy Island
This volcanic outcrop is located 17 km from Port Fairy. The island is surrounded by almost vertical cliffs which range in height from 32 metres to 46 metres. It is home to rookeries of muttonbirds, kestrels, swamp harriers, sooty oystercatchers and blue penguins. There are also seals which live on the ledges around the shoreline and eat squid and crabs. If the weather is suitable there are trips to the island. Contact (03) 5568 1372 for more details.

Diving
Port Fairy is part of the shipwreck coast and as such has a number of good wrecks which are worth exploring. The wreck of the 'Thistle', which sank off Port Fairy's east beach in 1849, now lies in only 2 metres of water and is popular with scuba divers.

A Book About The Great Ocean Road
The best book about the Great Ocean Road is the remarkably cheap ($19.95 for a full colour hardback) book by Port Campbell photographer, Rodney Hyett. It is 96 pages long and has everything you could possibly want ­ great photographs, maps of the area, a potted history of the area, details about national parks and visitor information centres, accommodation, walking tracks, even details of the region's eight lighthouses and succinct (not as detailed as this website) pieces of information about all the major destinations from Queenscliff to Cape Bridgewater. If you are planning to travel the Great Ocean Road and explore the totality of its attractions this is a small masterpiece of publishing and a great travel guide. It is available from many shops along the way and can be ordered from Port Campbell Shopping at http://www.portcampbellshopping.com.au.

	Tourist Information
	Port Fairy Visitor Information Centre 22 Bank St Port Fairy VIC 3284 Telephone: (03) 5568 2682
	Motels
	Anchorage Learnean Motel 115 Princes Hwy Port Fairy VIC 3284 Telephone: (03) 5568 1145 Rating: **
	Douglas-On-River Motel 89 Gipps St Port Fairy VIC 3284 Telephone: (03) 5568 1016 Rating: **
	Dublin House Inn 57 Bank St Port Fairy VIC 3284 Telephone: (03) 5568 1822 Rating: **
	Lady Julia Percy Motel 54 Sackville St P.O. Box 73 Port Fairy VIC 3284 Telephone: (03) 5568 1800 Rating: **
	Motel Port Fairy 124 Princes Hwy Port Fairy VIC 3284 Telephone: (03) 5568 1735 Rating: **
	Seacombe House Motor Inn 22 Sackville St Port Fairy VIC 3284 Telephone: (03) 5568 1082 Email: enquires@seacombehouse.com.au Rating: ***
	Caledonian Inn Motel/Hotel Cnr Bank & James Sts Port Fairy VIC 3284 Telephone: (03) 5568 1044 Rating: **
	Hotels
	Oscars Waterfront Boutique Hotel 41B Gipps St Port Fairy VIC 3284 Telephone: (03) 5568 3022 Facsimile: (03) 5568 3042 Email: info@oscarswaterfront.com Rating: ****
	Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouses
	Oscars Waterfront Boutique Hotel 41B Gipps St Port Fairy VIC 3284 Telephone: (03) 5568 3022 Facsimile: (03) 5568 3042 Email: info@oscarswaterfront.com Rating: ****
	Hotels
	Royal Oak Hotel Port Fairy 9 Bank St Port Fairy VIC 3284 Telephone: (03) 5568 1018 Rating: *
	Seacombe House Private Hotel 22 Sackville St Port Fairy VIC 3284 Telephone: (03) 5568 1082 Rating: *
	Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouses
	Cherry Plum Cottage Bed & Breakfast Albert Rd Port Fairy VIC 3284 Telephone: (03) 5568 2433 Rating: ***
	Clonmara Bed & Breakfast 106 Princes Hwy Port Fairy VIC 3284 Telephone: (03) 5568 2595 Email: clonmara@bigpond.com Rating: ****
	Cona Point Fairy Bed & Breakfast Cnr Princes Hwy & Villiers St Port Fairy VIC 3284 Telephone: (03) 5568 1000 Rating: ***
	Hickory House Bed & Breakfast 4 Princes St Port Fairy VIC 3284 Telephone: (03) 5568 2530 Rating: ****
	Kilkarlen at Killarney Bed & Breakfast Survey Lane Killarney 3283 Port Fairy VIC 3284 Telephone: (03) 5568 7258 Rating: ****
	Kingsley Bed & Breakfast 71 Cox St Port Fairy VIC 3284 Telephone: (03) 5568 1269 Rating: ****
	Merrijig Inn Guesthouse 1 Campbell St Port Fairy VIC 3284 Telephone: (03) 5568 2324 Rating: ***
	Roisheen Bed & Breakfast RMB 4460 Princes Hwy Port Fairy VIC 3284 Telephone: (03) 5568 7303 Rating: ***
	The Boathouse on Moyne Bed & Breakfast 19 Gipps St Port Fairy VIC 3284 Telephone: (03) 5568 2608 Rating: ***
	Gobles Mill House Bed & Breakfast 75 Gipps St P.O. Box 68 Port Fairy VIC 3284 Telephone: (03) 5568 1118 Rating: ***
	Apartments
	Abavest Holiday Apartments Bourne Ave Port Fairy VIC 3284 Telephone: (03) 5568 7206 Rating: ***
	Douglas House Holiday Apartments 89 Gipps St Port Fairy VIC 3284 Telephone: (03) 5568 1016 Rating: **
	Eastern Beach Holiday Apartments Cnr Griffith St & Bourne Ave Port Fairy VIC 3284 Telephone: (03) 5568 1117 Rating: ***
	Garden Pavilions Holiday Apartments 11 Tieman St Port Fairy VIC 3284 Telephone: (03) 5568 1045 Rating: ***
	Moloney Holiday Apartment 31 Reardon St Port Fairy VIC 3284 Telephone: (03) 5568 2795 Rating: ***
	Moorings on Moyne Apartments 69A Gipps St Port Fairy VIC 3284 Telephone: (03) 5561 4690
	Mungala Holiday Apartments 192 Griffith St P.O. Box 68 Port Fairy VIC 3284 Telephone: *(03) 5568 1118 Rating: ***
	Norfolk Pine Holiday Apartments 111 Princes Hwy Port Fairy VIC 3284 Telephone: (03) 5568 2296 Rating: ***
	Skye Beachfront Retreat 70 Griffith St Port Fairy VIC 3284 Telephone: (03) 9482 3492 Rating: ****
	Tandara-On-Sea Holiday Apartments 190 Griffith St Port Fairy VIC 3284 Telephone: (03) 5568 1852 Rating: ***
	Terrace Holiday Apartments 106 Griffith St Port Fairy VIC 3284 Telephone: (03) 5568 1743 or (03) 5568 1510 Rating: ***
	Cottages & Cabins
	Dublin House Inn Cottage 17 Gipps St Port Fairy VIC 3284 Telephone: (03) 5568 1822 Rating: ***
	Myndarra Cottage Porters Rd Orford 3284 Port Fairy VIC 3284 Telephone: (03) 5568 9201 Rating: ***
	Port Fairy Colonial Cottages 27 & 49 Regent St Port Fairy VIC 3284 Telephone: (03) 5568 1234 or 015 568 543 Rating: ***
	Railway Cottage 56 Gipps St Port Fairy VIC 3284 Telephone: (03) 5568 7345 Rating: ***
	Seacombe House Historic Cottage 22 Sackville St Port Fairy VIC 3284 Telephone: (03) 5568 1082 Rating: ***
	Whalers Cottages Cnr Whalers Dve & Regent St Port Fairy VIC 3284 Telephone: (03) 5568 1488 Rating: ***
	Caravan Parks
	Anchorage Learnean Holiday Park 115 Princes Hwy Port Fairy VIC 3284 Telephone: (03) 5568 1145 Rating: ****
	Belfast Cove Caravan Park 139 Princes Hwy Port Fairy VIC 3284 Telephone: (03) 5568 1816 Rating: ***
	Catalina Caravan Park Princes Hwy Port Fairy VIC 3284 Telephone: (03) 5568 1608 Rating: ***
	Gardens Reserve Caravan Park 111 Griffith St Port Fairy VIC 3284 Telephone: (03) 5568 1060 Rating: ***
	Gum Tree Caravan Park Toolong Rd P.O. Box 23 Port Fairy VIC 3284 Telephone: (03) 5568 1462 Rating: ***
	Southcombe by the Sea Caravan Park James St P.O. Box 175 Port Fairy VIC 3284 Telephone: (03) 5568 2677 Rating: ***
	Camping & Other
	Dublin House Inn Townhouse 57 Bank St Port Fairy VIC 3284 Telephone: (03) 5568 1822 Rating: ***
	Restaurants
	Caledonian Inn Restaurant Cnr Bank & James Sts Port Fairy VIC 3284 Telephone: (03) 5568 1044
	Dublin House Inn Restaurant Bank St Port Fairy VIC 3284 Telephone: (03) 5568 1822
	Four Seasons Bistro Sackville St Port Fairy VIC 3284 Telephone: (03) 5568 1918
	Lady Julia Percy Motel 54 Sackville St P.O. Box 73 Port Fairy VIC 3284 Telephone: (03) 5568 1800
	Lunch On Bank Bank St Port Fairy VIC 3284 Telephone: (03) 5568 2642
	Merrijig Inn Guesthouse 1 Campbell St Port Fairy VIC 3284 Telephone: (03) 5568 2324
	Port Fairy Pizza & Bistro Sackville St Port Fairy VIC 3284 Telephone: (03) 5568 1756
	Portofino by the Sea Bank St Port Fairy VIC 3284 Telephone: (03) 5568 1047
	Seacombe House Motor Inn 22 Sackville St Port Fairy VIC 3284 Telephone: (03) 5568 1082
	The Stag Restaurant Sackville St Port Fairy VIC 3284 Telephone: (03) 5568 1077