Make your way along winding pathways through pretty coastal shrubs to see a historic bluestone lighthouse, ocean views and a colony of shearwater seabirds.
The Port Fairy Lighthouse is a magnificent red-and-white sentinel that stands on the easternmost tip of Griffiths Island, looking out over Port Fairy Bay and the mouth of the Moyne River. Check out the historic structure, which was built in 1859 to help sailors navigate the rocky outcrops surrounding Port Fairy. Explore the trails that loop around the island and showcase the pretty lighthouse and the coastal reserve.
Stroll along the scenic causeway that links Griffiths Island to the mainland, taking in the views of the rugged coastline to the south and the calm waters of Port Fairy to the north. You’ll see the tidal flats of the Moyne River as you pass over the causeway, as well as the pretty beaches on Griffiths Island’s northern coast. Continue on toward the island’s eastern tip, signaled by the elegant Port Fairy Lighthouse.
The lighthouse stands 41 feet (12.5 metres) above the high water mark, at the end of a stone breakwater. Take photographs of the picturesque structure with a backdrop of the blue horizon of Bass Strait. Rugged swells sometimes surge against the southern side of the breakwater. You might spot the former gardens of the lighthouse keeper’s cottages, which were demolished in the 1950s.
Explore the entire island via the looped walking track and experience the island’s panorama of beach views. If you are visiting between September and April, as dusk falls you can spot the island’s resident colony of shearwaters as they return to their breeding burrows. These hidden burrows in the low-lying dunes are a protected habitat for the migratory seabirds, and it is important that they are not disturbed. Make sure you keep to the paths when exploring the island and watch the birds from the designated observation platform. After nightfall, you can see the lighthouse sending its solar-powered light out to sea.
The Port Fairy Lighthouse on Griffiths Island is free to visit. There is a free parking lot on the mainland side of the connecting causeway, which is 1.5 miles (2.5 kilometres) from the centre of the town of Port Fairy.
