Find Trip Inspiration With Our Port Fairy Accommodation Guide

Charming inns, bell tent glamping, stylish holiday homes, heritage pub stays and cruisy caravan parks, there’s a wealth of Port Fairy accommodation options to choose from.

Any Great Ocean Road trip needs to include a visit to Port Fairy. Home to a wealth of well-preserved heritage buildings, this historic fishing village honours its past while also welcoming the new. When choosing where to stay, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Whether you’re splashing out on a celebratory weekend to remember or planning a budget family break by the sea, there are lots of Port Fairy accommodation options to suit you.

Hotels

1. Merrijig Inn

Best for: Food and wine lovers

A little microcosm of magic, the Merrijig Inn is one of those inviting places with a special aura of its own.

the exterior of Merrijig Inn in Port Fairy — The Merrijig Inn is said to be Victoria’s oldest inn. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Laying claim to being Victoria’s oldest inn, a stay in one of the charming suites or compact attic rooms (not recommended for tall folk) includes a smorgasbord breakfast of house-made delights.

a dining room with a fireplace at Merrijig Inn in Port Fairy — Keep warm by the fireplace. (Image: Visit Victoria)

No visit is complete without a tipple at the convivial front bar and dinner at Merrijin Kitchen – food is an important chapter of this hospitality legend’s story.

the entrance to Merrijig Inn, Port Fairy — Step into the Merrijig Kitchen next door. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Address: 1 Campbell St, Port Fairy

2. Seacombe House

Best for: History lovers

From motor inn suites to historic cottages and rooms in a heritage-listed guesthouse, Seacombe House has lots of different styles of accommodation to choose from.

the exterior of Seacombe House, Port Fairy — Stay in a heritage-listed guesthouse.

Like many other buildings in this storied town, Seacombe House is listed on the National Trust, so when you stay here you’ll be walking in the footsteps of the traders, sailors and merchants who earned a crust living or visiting Port Fairy in centuries gone by.

the living room interior of Seacombe House, Port Fairy — Seacombe House offers a cosy spot to unwind after a day of exploring.

Address: 22 Sackville Street, Port Fairy

3. The Victoria Apartments

Best for: Travellers who prefer self-catering holidays

If you love having all the creature comforts of home while you’re away, try Victoria Apartments . Book a 2-bedroom apartment or 3-bedroom townhouse here and you’ll enjoy access to a range of amenities that will make you feel right at home. Use the large, well-equipped kitchen to cook meals, do a load of washing in the laundry, relax in the spacious lounge room while watching movies on the flatscreen TV and park your wheels in a lock-up garage – these apartments have everything you need for a comfortable break.

Address: 48/50 Bank Street, Port Fairy

4. The Oak & Anchor Hotel

Best for: Couples and solo travellers looking to enjoy an adults-only break

Although this heritage-listed hotel dates back to the mid-1800s, you’ll bed down in supreme comfort. Choose from seven stylish suites (most with freestanding bathtubs and Euro-style walk-in showers) ranging from the ground-floor Anchor Suite all the way up to the luxurious Bridal Suite.

a Euro-style walk-in shower with tub at The Oak & Anchor Hotel, Port Fairy — The stylish suite boasts spacious, Euro-inspired bathrooms. (Image: Visit Victoria)

If you’re after an adults-only retreat, you’ll be pleased to know this boutique accommodation is just for grownups.

the bed at The Oak & Anchor Hotel, Port Fairy — Experience ultimate comfort and relaxation in the beautifully designed beds. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Address: 9 Bank Street, Port Fairy

5. Central Motel

Best for: Visitors who value convenience and affordability.

Located right in the centre of town just 25 metres or so from some of Port Fairy’s best restaurants and cafes, you can’t beat Central Motel for convenience. If you’re watching your pennies, this neat and tidy motel has all the basics covered at an affordable price point. Looking for accessible accommodation? There’s a ground-floor, wheelchair-friendly room perfect for travellers with special needs.

Address: 56 Sackville Street, Port Fairy

6. YHA Port Fairy

Best for: Budget-conscious travellers who are happy sharing communal spaces

If you love meeting other people and staying in places with a more communal vibe, YHA Port Fairy is just the place for you. This warm and welcoming heritage accommodation has shared ‘co-living’ rooms with bunk beds, family rooms and private rooms as well as shared spaces like a self-catering kitchen, communal lounge room, laundry, pool table and outdoor courtyard with a barbecue. Perhaps the best part is you’re just one block away from some of Port’s Fairy best eats, including killer cocktails and pizza at Coffin Sally on Sackville Street.

Address: 8 Cox Street, Port Fairy

Guesthouses and Airbnbs

7. Cherry Plum Cottages

Best for: People seeking a secluded break in the countryside.

This collection of cute, self-contained cottages surrounded by greenery is the ideal spot to get away from it all.

the living room interior at Cherry Plum Cottages — This rustic abode is designed with a cosy interior.

Take a wander through the gardens (don’t forget to say hi to the alpacas), prepare dinner on the barbecue and sit on the veranda in the morning and listen to the birdlife with a cup of tea in hand – this is the perfect place to enjoy living life in the slow lane.

breakfast by the garden at Cherry Plum Cottages — Spend early mornings in quiet contemplation.

Address: 37 Albert Road, Port Fairy

8. Sweet Tide O Moyne

Best for: Groups, families and pet owners.

If you want to plan a private break with your nearest and dearest, look no further than this well-appointed holiday house .

the outdoor deck at Sweet Tide O Moyne, Port Fairy — This charming beach-style cottage is just steps from East Beach.

Sleeping up to nine guests, this comfy home right by East Beach has all the mod cons needed for an independent, self-catered break.

a painting mounted on the wall with a vase below at Sweet Tide O Moyne, Port Fairy — The walls are adorned with paintings of the beach.

Use the Nespresso machine to make your morning coffee, cook up a banging lunch in the kitchen and use the barbecue to prepare dinner each night while everyone gathers around the firepit. Board games, books and a travel cot make this holiday house perfect for a family getaway.

a close-up shot of the bed at Sweet Tide O Moyne, Port Fairy — This chic accommodation is a holiday haven for families.

Address: 1 Moyne Court, Port Fairy

9. Clonmara Country House & Cottages

Best for: Couples and small groups looking for a quiet and cosy country retreat full of charm.

Soak up the serenity at this historic country house and cottages located just outside the historic town centre. If you value the classic ‘cottage-core’ aesthetic and love wandering in country-style gardens, you will be in your element here. A top spot for a quiet, gentle break where you can truly relax, Clonmara Country House & Cottages is the type of place to enjoy lazy afternoons reading a paperback in the shade and cosy nights drinking wine by the warmth of the gas log fire. Bliss!

the Clonmara Country House & Cottages in Port Fairy — Settle into a cosy country retreat.

Address: 106 Princes Hwy, Port Fairy

Camping Grounds

10. Port Fairy Glamping

Best for: Couples and friends looking for a whimsical weekend away.

If you love the idea of camping but don’t want to truly rough it, enjoy the best of both worlds with Port Fairy Glamping . Forget struggling to pitch a tent, this local outfit will set up a romantic bell tent in a grassy area of one of Port Fairy’s caravan parks for you.

Inside you’ll find plush bedding, towels, lamps, rugs and cushions to ensure you’ll enjoy a comfy stay. An outdoor table setting means you’re set to enjoy sundowners and snacks after a day exploring Port Fairy’s historic buildings and windswept beaches.

Spend a whimsical weekend in a Port Fairy Glamping tent.

Caravan Parks

11. Gardens Caravan Park

Best for: Visitors who value access to the river, beach and town centre.

When it comes to convenience, this caravan park’s location can’t be beaten. Sitting on the banks of the Moyne River, it’s just 600 metres from the centre of town and also right near East Beach and the botanic gardens.

the Gardens Caravan Park at sunrise — Gardens Caravan Park is spread along the banks of the Moyne River.

Check in to a cabin to enjoy some creature comforts or roll into a powered or unpowered site if you’re travelling with a motorhome or caravan.

two women walking along the Tower Hill Reserve, Port Fairy — Be at one with nature as you walk along through the coastal landscape.

Address: 111 Griffiths St, Port Fairy

12. Southcombe Caravan Park

Best for: Beach lovers and families

If being near the beach is your number one priority this family-friendly caravan park near Southcombe Beach is a winner.

a boat sailing at Southcombe Caravan Park — Go fishing by the river near Southcombe Beach.

Stay in a one-, two- or three-bedroom villa or set up your tent, motorhome or van on one of the powered or unpowered sites. Stroll into town for dinner or use the free barbecues or camp kitchen to whip up dinner each night – the choice is yours.

a girl lying on a blanket while reading a book — Or lie on a blanket with a book in hand.

Address: James St, Port Fairy

13. Big4 Port Fairy Holiday Park

Best for: Families and groups

Sure, there’s plenty to do in Port Fairy but this modern holiday park has heaps of amenities to discover too. Big kids and little kids alike will love navigating the mini golf course while the indoor heated swimming pool provides an option for wet weather days.

a group of travellers gathering outside a caravan at Big4 Port Fairy Holiday Park — This modern holiday park is an ideal retreat for those travelling in groups.

There’s even a purpose-built cycling track. This holiday park’s three-bedroom cabins sleep up to eight people making it a top spot for a group getaway or intergenerational holiday.

Address: 115 Princes Hwy, Port Fairy

14. Gum Tree Caravan Park

Best for: People travelling with pets

There’s no need to leave your four-legged friends at home as they’re welcome to stay at this dog-friendly caravan park . Guests are well taken care of here with a range of items for hire, including baby chairs, cots, bikes, surfboards and wetsuits.

Address: 8 Amble Lane (off Toolong Rd) Port Fairy

15. Port Fairy Holiday Park

Best for: Visitors who love active breaks

If you like staying active during your holidays, then this holiday park ’s facilities are sure to impress.

the caravan site at Port Fairy Holiday Park — Port Fairy Holiday Park is perfect for campers and caravanners.

There’s an indoor heated swimming pool, a full-sized tennis court, a playground and a giant jumping pillow for the little ones.

a deep-soaking tub inside a safari tent at Port Fairy Holiday Park — The outdoor tub is the perfect way to end the day.

There are also lots of different accommodation styles ranging from safari tents with deep-soaking, clawfoot baths, deluxe villas and cabins, holiday units and powered and unpowered sites for campers and caravanners.

the safari tent at Port Fairy Holiday Park — Seek comfort in a safari tent.

Address: 139 Princes Hwy, Port Fairy

Discover the best things to do in Port Fairy.

The charm of Mildura is hidden in plain sight along the Sturt Highway. The capital of Tropical North Victoria is in a league of its own.

From the moment you arrive in Mildura , the warm air and palm trees invite you to slow down. While most Australians might drive right past it, Mildura is full of surprises. Here you’ll spend one day witnessing over 50,000 years of First Nations history in a UNESCO-listed National Park, and the next dining in a hatted restaurant after wandering through 12,500 fireflies as the outback sunset bursts to life above. From roadside fruit stalls and family-run wineries to houseboats and galleries, it’s time to explore Mildura.

Feast Street, at the heart of Langtree Avenue in Mildura. — Taste, wander and be surprised in Mildura.

Taste Mildura’s produce

It makes sense to start your trip by addressing the most important question: where to eat. In the beating heart of Australia’s food bowl, sample the local produce directly from the source. And then, of course, experience it through the menu of a hatted chef. Or sandwiched between pillowy slices of Nonna’s ciabatta.

Rows of orchards and olive groves invite you to spend the day traipsing from farm to farm. Taste olives propagated from Calabrian trees brought over in the 40s, oranges picked right from the tree and squeezed into juice and spoons full of honey . Bring the holiday back to your kitchen by stocking your pantry at roadside produce stalls, or calling into the ‘silver shed ’ (Sunraysia’s gourmand Mecca).

Thanks to the warm, balmy air and fertile soils, the wineries dotted along these hills produce award-winning local wines. Like Chalmers , a family-run, innovative winery dedicated to making their wines as sustainable as possible. And picturesque Trentham Estate offers views of the snaking Murray River as you sample their vintages.

Venture beyond the gnarled shadows of olive groves and fragrant rows of blossoming fruit trees and you’ll find an otherworldly side to Mildura. With Discover Mildura as your guide, visit Murray River Salt’s Mars-like stacks. The naturally pink salt is formed from an ancient inland sea and evaporated entirely by the sun to create one of the region’s most iconic exports.

Start your day with just-squeezed sunshine.

Hatted dining & Italian history

Mildura is home to a proud community of Calabrians and Sicilians. This, paired with the exceptional local produce, means that you can find paninos on par with those in Italy. The Italian is a Paninoteca serving up made-to-order, hefty, authentic Sicilian paninos. Nonna Rosa’s pork meatballs, slowly cooked in tomato ragu and served in a crusty, fluffy roll topped with gratings of Grana Padano cheese and salsa verde, will call you back to Mildura for the rest of your days.

To find hatted dining in Mildura, simply follow the staircase down into the basement of the historic Mildura Grand Hotel to find Stefano’s . Following the muscle memory and instinct of his Italian roots, he delivers on the principle of ‘cucina povera’. That is, the Italian cooking ideology that turns simple, local ingredients into magic.

Things to do in Mildura include dining at the acclaimed Stefano’s, where simple local ingredients are transformed into Italian culinary magic beneath the historic Grand Hotel. — Bite into Mildura’s Italian heritage.

Discover a thriving culture scene

The city is alive with culture. Whether it’s painted on the town’s walls, told in ancient yarns, or waiting for you in a gallery.

The Mildura Arts Centre was Australia’s first regional art gallery. Behind the walls of Rio Vista Historic House, you’ll find a lineup of ever-changing exhibitions. The gallery’s wall space pays tribute to the art and songlines of local First Nations People, the region’s awe-inspiring landscapes and more. Outside, on the gallery’s lawn, find 12 contemporary sculptures in the Sculpture Park.

Mildura’s streetscapes are a punch of colour. Swirling strokes of paint blend the winding artery of the Murray River, red dirt and local characters into a story you can see with your own eyes, thanks to the Mildura City Heart’s Mural Art Project . Pick up a copy of the Murals of Mildura guide from the Visitor Information Centre.

Follow the border of NSW and Victoria on a map and you’ll see it hugs the curves of a tiny island on the Murray. That’s Lock Island, where, as the sun and moon trade places, the island comes alive as darkness falls. The island is dotted with 12,500 firefly lights that lead you on a meandering path through the outback sunset. The installation is known as Trail of Lights and was created by the same visionary who dreamt up Field of Light at Uluṟu, Bruce Munro.

Things to do in Mildura include exploring its rich cultural scene. From vibrant street art and ancient stories to exhibitions at the Mildura Arts Centre, Australia’s first regional gallery. — Find culture around every corner.

Wonder at ancient landscapes

The landscapes of Mildura feel almost transcendental. The skyline bursts to life with reds, pinks, and deep, sparkly night skies.

The nature will leave you in awe. See hues of pink water changing with the weather at Pink Lakes inside Victoria’s largest national park, Murray Sunset National Oark. Cast a line into Ouyen Lake. Watch the sunset against 70-metre tall red cliffs that reflect the setting sun. Or get the heart racing and sandboard down the Perry Sandhills dunes, formed 40,000 years ago at the end of an ice age.

Just don’t leave without following the twists and turns of the Murray. Stroll or ride along the Shared River Front Path, or jump onboard a boat for a scenic ride.

Your itinerary will be incomplete without a visit to UNESCO World Heritage-listed Mungo National Park . Head out with an Indigenous ranger to witness ancient campsites and footprints, before standing in awe of ancient civilisation near the discovery site of Mungo Man—Australia’s oldest human skeleton at 42,000 years old.

Mungo National Park at night is a vast, silent landscape where ancient dunes glow under moonlight and stars blanket the sky in breathtaking clarity. — Walk in the footsteps of ancient civilisation.

Meet your home away from home

On equal par with planning your meals and adventures, is finding the perfect place to relax at the end of each day.

Sleep inside a Palm Springs postcard at Kar-Rama . A sleek boutique hotel complete with a butterfly shaped, sun-soaked pool. Here you’re staying right in the heart of Mildura but you’ll feel worlds away. Or if you really wish to connect with nature, a night glamping under the stars at Outback Almonds will have you spellbound.

When in Mildura it’s only right to stay on one of the Murray River’s iconic houseboats . Wake up each day to the calm waters of the Murray lapping outside your window. Enjoy days full of river swims, fishing and exploring. All boats are solar-powered and can be self-skippered or moored along the river.

A solar-powered houseboat on the Murray River in Mildura. — Stay and play on the Murray in a solar houseboat.

Start planning the perfect getaway at mildura.com .

Your guide to the best Port Fairy accommodation