🔍

Port Fairy

VIC 3284 • Rest of VIC

3,742
Population (2021)
$75,400
Median Household Income
113.02 km²
Area
$300/wk
Median Rent
CoastalHistoricSea ChangeTourist DestinationHeritage

About Port Fairy

Port Fairy is a charming coastal town in south-western Victoria, located at the mouth of the Moyne River approximately 290 kilometres west of Melbourne. With a population of around 3,300, this historic fishing village was established in the 1840s and retains much of its 19th-century character. The town features over 50 heritage-listed buildings and was voted the world's most liveable small community in 2012.

The town offers a relaxed coastal lifestyle with beautiful beaches, excellent fishing, and a thriving arts and food scene. The annual Port Fairy Folk Festival draws thousands of visitors each March. Griffiths Island, connected by a causeway, is home to a short-tailed shearwater colony and historic lighthouse. Port Fairy attracts retirees, sea-changers, and holiday-home owners seeking an authentic seaside community away from the bustle of larger centres.

Port Fairy falls under postcode 3284 and is governed by Moyne Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the South-West Coast (Western Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3284
Urban Area
Moyne - Ararat - Pyrenees
LGA / Council
Moyne
Federal Electorate
Wannon
State Electorate
South-West Coast (Western Victoria)
Type
Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-38.33°, 142.20°
Statistical Area
Rest of VIC
Area
113.02 km²
Elevation
21m

🏷️ Property Prices June quarter 2025

Median sale prices in Port Fairy for the June quarter 2025. Median sale prices published by the Valuer-General Victoria.

🏡House
$919K
10 sales · ▲ 16.5% YoY

Source: Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report. Medians are for the latest quarter; the change shown is the official 12-month movement. Suburbs with very few sales in a quarter can be volatile.

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$300
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,733
Avg Household Size
2.3 people
Median Age
51 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
2.1%

30 state housing + 0 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Warrnambool
28 km
V/Line Warrnambool Line

Bus Services

  • V/Line Coach — Warrnambool 30 min
  • V/Line Coach — Melbourne via Warrnambool 4 hr 30 min

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
290 km
By Train
3 hr 30 min (from Warrnambool)
By Bus
4 hr 30 min (V/Line coach)
By Car (Peak)
3 hr 30 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
3 hr 15 min

🛣️ No direct train. V/Line coach connects to Warrnambool station for train to Melbourne.

Walkability Very Walkable

The compact town centre is very walkable with shops, cafes, and the beach all within easy reach. A car is needed for trips beyond town.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Moyne Local Government Area, which contains Port Fairy. Rates are per 100,000 residents for the year ending September 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.

Break & enter (dwelling)
191.1 / 100k
2yr Up 12.2% 10yr Down 37.3%
Motor vehicle theft
84.3 / 100k
2yr Up 35.0% 10yr Stable
Non-FV assault
118 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 26.8%
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
264.2 / 100k
2yr Up 45.4% 10yr Up 63.8%
View all offence subgroups for Moyne →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
3,340
Census 2021
3,742
▲ 12.0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$31,460
Personal Income 2021
$38,740
▲ 23.1% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$38,740 / yr
$745/wk
Household
$75,400 / yr
$1450/wk
Family
$100,984 / yr
$1942/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 3,157
Born Overseas 303

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 101
  • 2. New Zealand 52
  • 3. South Africa 14
  • 4. Netherlands 12
  • 5. Germany 9
  • 6. Ireland 9
  • 7. Indonesia 8
  • 8. Scotland 8
  • 9. Philippines 7
  • 10. China 6

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,514
Australian 1,463
Irish 854
Scottish 564
German 164
Dutch 66
Italian 53
Australian Aboriginal 38
Chinese 28
Welsh 28

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,806
Both parents born in Australia
352
Both parents born overseas
320
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
49.6%
No Religion
41.2%
Islam
0.4%
Buddhism
0.3%
Hinduism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
170 (4.5%)
5-14 years
478 (12.8%)
15-19 years
187 (5.0%)
20-24 years
88 (2.4%)
25-34 years
279 (7.5%)
35-44 years
410 (11.0%)
45-54 years
419 (11.2%)
55-64 years
521 (13.9%)
65-74 years
668 (17.9%)
75-84 years
364 (9.7%)
85+ years
163 (4.4%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Port Fairy known for? +

Port Fairy is world-famous for the Port Fairy Folk Festival, held each March and attracting tens of thousands of visitors. The town is also known for its extraordinary concentration of heritage buildings, beautiful Moyne River estuary, and pristine beaches facing the Southern Ocean.

How far is Port Fairy from Melbourne? +

Port Fairy is approximately 290 kilometres west of Melbourne CBD, around a 3 hour drive via the Princes Highway.

Does Port Fairy have public transport? +

Port Fairy is served by V/Line coach services connecting to Warrnambool (approximately 28 km east), where train services to Melbourne Southern Cross are available. The total journey to Melbourne takes approximately 3.5-4 hours.

What is the population of Port Fairy? +

According to the 2021 Census, Port Fairy has a population of approximately 3,742 residents, with the folk festival season attracting several times that number as visitors.

Is Port Fairy a good place to live? +

Port Fairy is one of Victoria's most beloved sea-change destinations, offering heritage character, beautiful beaches, a vibrant arts and food scene, and the iconic annual Folk Festival. It suits retirees, artists, and remote workers seeking a quintessential southern Victorian coastal lifestyle.

What is the postcode for Port Fairy? +

The postcode for Port Fairy is 3284.

What is the average income in Port Fairy? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Port Fairy is about $745 per week (around $38,700 per year). The median household income is $1,450 per week and the median family income is $1,942 per week.

What is the median house price in Port Fairy? +

As of June quarter 2025, the median house price is $918,800, up 16.5% year-on-year. Figures are based on Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report.

What is the age profile of Port Fairy? +

The median age in Port Fairy is 51. The largest age group is 65–74 (668 residents, around 18%). Around 22% of residents are under 20 and about 32% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Port Fairy a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Port Fairy is part of the Moyne LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.

How much is rent in Port Fairy? +

In Port Fairy, the median weekly rent is $300, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,733 (2021 Census).