Family holidaying in Port Fairy delivers a world of fun and varies activities at the ready. Don’t limit your footprint to your tourist park or the busy, well-known visitor spots. Set your sights further beyond, pile the whole gang into the car and go explore these hidden gems.
Bonus: these lesser-known spots are not only ideal kids destinations for cooler days, they’re also free to enjoy. Good old-fashioned free family fun? Yes please!
Childers Cove
Wide-open, windswept spaces beckon at Childers Cove, a short drive off the Great Ocean Road at Mepunga. Most days, you’ll find yourself sharing the secluded beach cove with one or two other family groups. If you’re lucky, you’ll have it all to yourself.
The scenery is spectacular – cliffs tower on three sides and the mighty Southern Ocean swells and churns in front. Spot reefs and a narrow sandstone stack just off the beach. Perfect beach for ambling and shallow paddling, where little ones can run and jump and cartwheel in freedom. Note, only super-experienced swimmers should dive into the waves here.
Hopkins Falls, Wangoom
Who doesn’t love the majesty of a waterfall? Access Hopkins Falls via a sealed road at Wangoom, about 30 minutes east of Port Fairy, past Warrnambool.
Two viewing platforms mean everyone can appreciate the full drama of the falls as the river plunges 12 metres down and over a rocky, basalt escarpment.
Hopkins Falls Reserve is a peaceful place for families to share a picnic and fun in the great outdoors, with the falls as your backdrop. There’s space to spread out, kick a footy or lie back and stare up at the sky. Gas BBQs and toilet facilities are available.
Yambuk’s Giant Sand Dune Slide
Trust us, this will be a highlight of your holiday. Nothing matches the simple thrill of whirring down the 33-metre giant beach slide through the sand dunes at Yambuk. The littlies will want to do it over and over, on repeat.
Climb all the way to the top of the lookout for panoramic coast and ocean views before whizzing down the slide (again). Perfect spot for picnicking, sausage sizzling on the barbie, all within easy reach of toilets, parking and a playground.
Killarney Beach Rock pools
Pop on your sunhats and non-slip shoes and go in search of curious creatures in the crystal clear tidal rock pools at Port Fairy’s Killarney Beach.
You never know what you might spy in these mini underwater worlds. Expect squeals of delight as tiny critters glide, flit or crawl into view.
While away an hour or two communing with the natural environment – beyond the rock pools there’s amazing birdlife, a peaceful lagoon and wide open spaces that call for lazy ambling and paddling.
Koroit Skate Park and Playground – amazing cakes at the bakery
Grab your skateboards, bikes and scooters and head to The Koroit Skate Park and Playground for full-on, active fun. This concrete skate park has loads of mini and street elements to challenge young skaters and BMX riders, whether experienced or novice.
Littlies will love the railway-themed adventure playground, while biggies head to the outdoor exercise circuit or basketball half-court to do their own thing.
Afterwards, celebrate the good times with a visit to the Koroit Country Bakehouse where you’ll discover a delicious array of baked cakes, fancy-as pastries and barista coffee. Win – win for young and young at heart.
