Griffiths Island Walk, Port Fairy
We were so lucky to have a beautiful winters day to wander Griffiths Island, just off the mainland at Port Fairy. The island is easy to explore as it is connected to the mainland via a causeway located at the end of the wharf. Griffiths Island has a primitive feel. The rugged landscape of low lying shrubs gives little protection from the elements. The coast line is rocky and exposed but is perfect for whale watching during the winter months.
The walk around the Island is just over 3kms and takes around 1 hour. There are no toilet facilities on the Island but there are facilities located just before you cross onto the Island. The track is a combination of gravel roadway, narrow tracks, beach and clambering over rocks. The whole loop is not suitable for disabled, prams or those with poor balance unfortunately, but you could follow the road around to the lighthouse then return the same way. The walk can be completed in either direction with the lighthouse on the east coast of the Island the main focal point. As mentioned above, the landscape is rugged and there is no protection from the elements so dress appropriately.
The first known settler to the Island was a whaler named John Griffiths, who set up a whaling station in 1833. In 1837 he built a small timber dwelling to live in but by the early 1840s the whale supply had been exhausted so the whaling station closed. The lighthouse was built in 1859 using bluestones found on the Island. It is still in operation now having converted from the original fuel of vegetable oil, then kerosene over to solar power. There were previously other dwellings on the Island including the Lightkeepers Cottage, but nothing remains of these dwellings now. Walking around the area of the lighthouse it is easy to see why it is still in operation.
The Island is known for the Short Tailed Shearwaters (or the less glamourous “Mutton birds”) that nest in burrows from September to May. The migration of the birds back to their nests is reported to be pretty spectacular and their are viewing points along the path. Unfortunately we were not there at the right time to see them. Apart from the Shearwaters that nest on the Island, there are also other wildlife to look out for. We were lucky enough to see a Wallaby feeding with a joey in her pouch. You may also encounter echidnas, lizards, snakes and a variety of birds.
Overall the walk was a great way to fill in an afternoon. We were really lucky to have favourable weather. Given we were there is low season, there were still plenty of walkers, so assume that it would get busy during the summer months. We stayed at Port Fairy for a week and really enjoyed our stay. Make sure you read my other blogs on the area.
Have you visited the Shipwreck coast? What is your favourite town along this piece of South West Victoria?
