Port Fairy Historic Precinct

Port Fairy Historic Precinct is a heritage-listed area in central Port Fairy on Victoria's Shipwreck Coast within Moyne Shire. It encompasses more than 50 well-preserved 19th-century buildings including bluestone cottages, former whaling inns, churches and commercial premises dating from the 1840s to 1870s. Notable for its intact colonial streetscape, the precinct reflects the town's early history as a whaling and port settlement originally called Belfast.

Visitors can expect to explore a compact, walkable town centre with intact 19th-century streetscapes along Gipps, Sackville, Bank and Cox Streets. The precinct features bluestone and timber cottages, former hotels and stores, churches including St John's, and the historic wharf area on the Moyne River. It is an open-air precinct with interpretive signage, self-guided heritage walk markers, and views of the river and port. Most buildings are privately owned and viewed externally, with some housing museums, shops and accommodation.

Port Fairy, originally known as Belfast, was established as a whaling and sealing port in the 1830s. The precinct preserves buildings from the 1840s to 1870s, reflecting its growth as a major port town in western Victoria. Many structures are constructed from local bluestone and timber and are listed on the Victorian Heritage Register, representing one of Victoria's most intact 19th-century colonial townscapes.

The precinct demonstrates colonial settlement patterns and maritime heritage of Victoria's Shipwreck Coast. It retains strong community value for its architectural character, early streetscape and association with whaling, port trade and early European settlement, and is a focal point for heritage tourism and cultural events in Moyne Shire.