Aireys Inlet - Places to See

Split Point Lighthouse

It is said that Split Point Lighthouse is haunted. Certainly it was described in Arthur Upfield's novel The Clue of the New Shoe as 'a tapering white stalk holding aloft the face of glass beneath the cardinal's red hat'. The lighthouse was built in 1891 as a reaction to the sinking of the ship Joseph Scammell. Perched on the cliffs 70 metres above sea level the main light can be seen 30 km away. The lighthouse provides excellent views of the surrounding coastline. It is also part of a pleasant cliff walk to Anglesea which starts near the car park.

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.

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.

Angahook-Lorne State Park
Located a few kilometres to the north of the town, the 3000 ha Angahook-Lorne State 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 over the ocean as well as opportunities to see a range of wildlife including kangaroos and possums.

Fairhaven Beach
Located a few kilometres west of Airey's Inlet Fairhaven Beach is recognised as an outstanding surfing beach.

A Book About The Great Ocean Road

The best book about the Great Ocean Road is the remarkably cheap ($19.95 for a full colour hardback) book by Port Campbell photographer, Rodney Hyett. It is 96 pages long and has everything you could possibly want - great photographs, maps of the area, a potted history of the area, details about national parks and visitor information centres, accommodation, walking tracks, even details of the region's eight lighthouses and succinct (not as detailed as this website) pieces of information about all the major destinations from Queenscliff to Cape Bayswater. If you are planning to travel the Great Ocean Road and explore the totality of its attractions this is a small masterpiece of publishing and a great travel guide. It is available from many shops along the way and can be ordered from Port Campbell Shopping at http://www.portcampbellshopping.com.au