Port Fairy, Victoria

Griffiths Island Walk

The Island off the coast of Port Fairy accessible by a man-made concrete walkway was named after Captain John Griffiths who brought the first Europeans settlers to the region from Tasmania in the 1830's. He also established a whaling station and was involved in many activities including ship building and brewing. The walk takes you to a bluestone lighthouse, built in 1859 the lighthouse has guided many ships to safety. The last lighthouse keeper left the island in the late 1950's when the lighthouse was automated. The lighthouse keeper cottage was demolished due to vandalism. The island is home to the short-tailed shearwater sea bird (mutton bird). The seaside community of St Leonards is also home to a shearwater population.

The island was originally called Rabbit Island before being renamed to Griffiths.

Around Town

Port Fairy is a magical historic fishing township located about 30 kilometres west of Warrnambool. We ate the most delicious brownie at Audley and Hall Artisan Chocolate then leisurely strolled around the town, heading down to the Moyne River for a look at the marina then across to the local beach. In 1828 a whaling crew named Port Fairy after their vessel, The Fairy. The name was changed to Belfast in 1843 after the home town of James Atkinson a Sydney solicitor that divided and sold the land, but reverted back to Port Fairy in 1887.