The fishing town of Port Fairy (pop. 2500) is one of the oldest towns in Victoria. It was founded in 1835, under the name of Belfast, on a site where there had been temporary whaling and sealing settlements, and thereafter developed into one of the largest ports in Australia. It has preserved over 50 historic old buildings, including the oldest
pub in Australia, first licensed in 1844.
Features of particular interest are the Historical Centre in Bank Street; Battery Hill, an old fort at the mouth of the river; Captain Mills' House, which belonged to a whaling skipper; the Old Caledonian Inn; and the ANZ Bank.
With good beaches, good fishing and large caravan/camping parks, Port Fairy is a popular summer holiday resort.
Griffiths Island, with a lighthouse and a colony of mutton birds, is linked with the town by a causeway.
Every March there is a popular Folk Festival in Port Fairy.