A village day on the coast
Aireys Inlet is about half an hour west of Holyday House, along the Great Ocean Road. It's a compact village spread across both sides of the road, with the sea and cliffs on one side and the Painkalac Creek estuary opening out behind the dunes. Come for a walk, a beach stop and lunch. You don't need a complicated plan.
The usual first stop is Split Point, the white lighthouse above the headland. We'll keep it brief here because our Split Point Lighthouse guide has the tower tours and the longer walk details. For this page, think of the lighthouse as a handy starting point for seeing the coast and then heading into the village.
It makes a relaxed half-day from Torquay, or you can add Fairhaven and the Memorial Arch to fill out the day. If the wind is up, bring a layer. The cliff tops don't shelter you much.
Getting there
The drive from Torquay
Head west on the Great Ocean Road. You'll pass through Anglesea before reaching Aireys Inlet, about half an hour from north Torquay. Split Point and the lighthouse turn-off are within the village. Continue west and you'll pass Fairhaven, then the Memorial Arch at Eastern View. The Arch is beyond Fairhaven on the way towards Lorne, not in Aireys itself.
Where to start
For the lighthouse and cliff-top paths, use the Split Point Lightstation car park. For a swim or a long beach walk, head on to Fairhaven. The streets and facilities are spread out, so it's easier to move between these stops by car than to treat them as one short village stroll.
A note on the road
This section of the Great Ocean Road can be busy on summer weekends and holiday mornings. Check VicTraffic before leaving if roadworks or closures could affect the day, and follow the signs where the coast track has been moved or closed.
The cliff-top walk and Eagle Rock
From the lighthouse reserve, walking tracks follow the clifftops above Aireys Inlet. The local Cliff Top Walk links the Split Point area with Sunnymead Beach, with lookouts over the Eagle Rock Marine Sanctuary along the way. You can make it a short wander to a lookout or keep walking and retrace your steps. The path isn't a flat foreshore promenade, so wear shoes you can walk in.
Eagle Rock is the volcanic stack offshore from the headland. It's part of a protected marine sanctuary, and the view from up on the headland is the easy way to take it in. The shoreline below is exposed to strong swell; rock platforms can be slippery and waves unpredictable. This is a place to watch the sea from the lookout, not to scramble over wet rocks.
The bigger Surf Coast Walk passes through this stretch of coast, but you don't need to tackle a long section to enjoy Aireys. Pick a headland walk that suits the time and weather, then leave space for a coffee or lunch in the village.
Fairhaven Beach and Painkalac Creek
Fairhaven is just west of Aireys Inlet and has one of the longest uninterrupted beaches on this stretch of coast. It gets consistent, sizeable surf and is better suited to experienced swimmers than anyone hoping for a calm paddle. The Fairhaven Surf Life Saving Club told us its 2026/27 patrols run from 21 November 2026 to 11 April 2027. It patrols every day from 26 December to 31 January, and on weekends and public holidays the rest of the season (1:30 to 4:30pm on Saturdays, 10am to 4pm on Sundays). Swim between the flags when they're up. If the beach is unpatrolled or the surf looks beyond your comfort level, keep it to a walk.
Painkalac Creek winds through the estuary between Aireys Inlet and Fairhaven before meeting the sea. The dunes, creek mouth and broad beach give this part of the coast a different feel from the rocky Split Point headland. The mouth opens and closes with the seasons, so it can look quite different from one visit to the next.
For a gentle stretch of legs, walk along the sand and come back the same way. Low tide gives you the most sand. The wind can make the beach feel colder than town, even on a sunny day.
The Memorial Arch at Eastern View
Keep going west past Fairhaven and you'll reach the Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch at Eastern View. It marks the road built by returned First World War servicemen, and there's a small parking area beside it for a quick stop and a look. The arch sits right by the highway, so take care crossing and keep an eye on children near the road. It's a few minutes beyond Aireys Inlet, on the way to Lorne.
This is a short photo stop rather than a place to linger. There are no public toilets at the Arch, so use facilities in town before continuing. If you want more on the road beyond here, our Lorne day trip guide covers the next stretch.
Where to eat in Aireys
The Aireys Pub is the easy choice after a walk: pub food, a beer and room to sit inside or out. Salt Brewing Co. is based at the pub, so you can try its beer there. The pub's own site has the current menu and booking details.
The Sunnymead Hotel has Santara, a modern fusion restaurant. Its current site lists dine-in, takeaway and room service on Friday and Saturday evenings, with bookings available online. Those days and hours can change, so check the restaurant's site before making a special trip. It's a useful option if you want a sit-down dinner rather than a quick pub stop.
The Aireys Inlet Market is another reason to time a visit for a market day. We keep the dates and details in our Torquay and Surf Coast markets guide, alongside the other local markets.
Aireys Inlet FAQ
How far is Aireys Inlet from Torquay?
About half an hour from north Torquay along the Great Ocean Road, a bit more on summer weekends.
Is Fairhaven Beach patrolled?
Yes, from 21 November 2026 to 11 April 2027. The club patrols every day from 26 December to 31 January (from 10am), and on weekends and public holidays either side of that. Swim between the flags.
Can you walk from Aireys Inlet to Fairhaven?
There are cliff-top tracks between the Split Point area and Sunnymead Beach, and beach walking at Fairhaven. Check current track information, tides and conditions before choosing a route.
Where is the Memorial Arch?
It's at Eastern View, west of Aireys Inlet and just beyond Fairhaven as you travel from Torquay towards Lorne.
Is Eagle Rock safe to visit?
The headland lookout gives you a view of the offshore stack. The coast below is exposed, and rock platforms can be slippery with unpredictable waves, so follow signs and stay back from the water's edge.
Where can I find market dates?
Our markets guide has the Aireys Inlet Market, with dates, alongside the other Surf Coast markets.
Make a day of it
Aireys works well with a slow morning at the house, then a walk and lunch by the coast. We have three wood fires for the cooler months, and it's an easy drive home when you've had enough sea air. For more nearby ideas, see our Anglesea day trip, the detailed Split Point Lighthouse guide, or the day trip to Lorne. If you'd like to stay in Torquay and explore this coast, check dates and send us an enquiry.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these sources on 19 October 2026. Opening hours, patrols, rules and closures change — check with the source before you go.
- Fairhaven — Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority
- Eagle Rock Marine Sanctuary — Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority
- Memorial Arch — Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority
- Walks — Aireys Inlet Tourism & Traders Association
- Aireys Pub — Aireys Pub
- Santara Restaurant — Sunnymead Hotel
- Torquay to Aireys Inlet route — OSRM routing service