Find a laid-back little corner of the Surf Coast in Fairhaven, a small coastal locality on Victoria’s Great Ocean Road. Bordered by rolling surf beach and the meandering Painkalac Creek, Fairhaven has one of the longest stretches of beach on the Great Ocean Road. Visit this seaside village for a relaxing experience of the region’s magnificent coastal walking trails and natural beauty.
Spend a day exploring Fairhaven’s tranquil beach strip. Less busy than neighbouring Aireys Inlet, Fairhaven is an ideal spot for relaxing and taking in coastal views. Stroll past the Fairhaven Surf Life Saving Club and see if any surf lifesaving competitions are running. This club’s patrol area includes Fairhaven, Aireys Inlet, Moggs Creek and Eastern View. If the surf is pumping, you’ll most likely see surfers taking on the breaks at any time of the year. Pick a spot on the sand and watch them riding the waves, or join in if the waves suit your skill level. If you want to go swimming, make sure you swim between the flags posted by the Fairhaven Surf Life Saving Club for a safe swimming experience.
Head to the beach’s far eastern point to see the iconic Split Point Lighthouse located on the headland between Fairhaven and Aireys Inlet. The late 19th-century lighthouse is best known for its use as a film set in the popular Australian children’s television show Around the Twist. Another architectural landmark in the area is the Pole House, an intriguing modern-design house perched high above Fairhaven Beach on a tall, single pole.
As evening falls, head to the Fairhaven Surf Life Saving Club to enjoy a meal or a drink from the club’s Sunset Lounge, open during the summer months.
Fairhaven is located on the scenic Great Ocean Road, 126 kilometres (78 miles) from Melbourne, Victoria’s capital city. The village is 30-minutes’ drive from the Great Ocean Road’s official beginning, Torquay. Include Fairhaven as a stopover on your scenic drive along the Surf Coast. It is best visited during the warmer months between November and March for ideal swimming weather.
