Day 5 – 7, 20 – 22/11/20 Port Fairy, cool

This quaint and historic seafaring town is jumping with weekend visitors. Being 280kms from Melbourne it’s the perfect location to really get away from the city. The town proper dates back to 1843 however Griffiths Island was used from the 1830’s by sealers and the whaler John Griffiths. Walking around Griffiths Island now it is hard to imagine what life was like back then. The Moyne River is a safe harbour for mooring fishing boats and pleasure craft and makes for a leisurely stroll. This was once one of Australia’s largest ports. Buildings of yesteryear are now private hotels and quaint B & B’s. The Fishermen’s Co-op on the wharf is famous for its fish and chips, the Merrijig Inn opposite the wharf is Victoria’s oldest surviving inn.  Of course, a few blocks away there’s the Caledonian Hotel which holds Victoria’s oldest operating hotel licence.

Port Fairy has a good sprinkling of boutiques, interesting shops for a browse and plenty of cafes and restaurants. One would not go hungry in this town. We visit the farmer’s market on the old railway station site and buy fresh local vegies and passionfruit butter. The butchery in town is impressive. A big old style butcher shop with good quality meat. We eagerly head off to the newly refurbished Star of the West pub for a hearty dinner. Out beyond Griffiths Island surfers catch a break in the icy waters.

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