A Riverbed in Aireys Inlet

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The river mouth at Aireys looking towards the beach - an ideal spot for beachcombing and relaxing.

Aireys Inlet & Fairhaven

The town was first settled by Europeans in the 1820s and the town was named after J.M.C.Eyrie, a white settler who arrived in 1846. The spelling changed to Aireys over time.

Cobb & Co. carried passengers by coach from Geelong to Anglesea and a four-horse wagon took them on to Aireys Inlet. The beautiful lighthouse was completed by 1891 and still stands as a pristine example of its kind. The town grew very slowly and tended to be bypassed by people heading for Lorne. This has contributed to its relative tranquility and unspoiled beauty.

Things to see include the lighthouse, the Old Bark Hut, Split Rock, the sheltered beach at the river mouth, and the great surfing beach at Fairhaven. There are waterbirds to watch, walks and stunning views. Aireys also boasts several excellent restaurants.

Things to See

Split Point Lighthouse This beautiful lighthouse stands proudly on the cliffs high above Aireys Inlet. Great views of the coastline in both directions. From the lighthouse, there is a bush walk along the cliff top. It's said that Split Point Lighthouse is haunted. Author, Arthur Upfield used the town of Aireys Inlet and its lighthouse as the background for his murder mystery novel The Clue of the New Shoe. The lighthouse was built in 1891 as a reaction to the sinking of the ship Joseph Scammell. The lighthouse gets its name from the rock that has, over thousands of years, been split from the mainland.
Airey's Inlet Bark Hut The 1983 Ash Wednesday bushfires destroyed the original building which had stood since 1857 but the current building, a loving recreation, is an interesting replica of the kind of early homestead in the area. The original building was the home of Thomas and Martha Pearse who were pioneer settlers in the district. It is located in the Allan Noble Sanctuary off the Great Ocean Road. The sanctuary with its small lake and seats is a pleasant retreat from the tourism of the district.	Fairhaven Beach Just west of Airey's Inlet Fairhaven Beach is recognised as an outstanding surfing beach.
	Visiting Whales This coastline is famous for its visiting whales. Watch them with their young, swimming and playing just off the shore.
Great Otway National Park Located a few kilometres to the north of the town, this extensive park is excellent for bushwalking and picnics. It is considered one of the best forest reserves on the coast and has a number of excellent views of its waterfalls, the ocean as well as opportunities to see a range of wildlife including kangaroos and possums.
	Seafarer's Monument In the centre of town is a monument to all those who have lost their lives on the dangerous southern oceans. The anchor is believed to be over 100 years old. It was discovered in Port Phillip in 1936.

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