Top Things to do in Aireys Inlet
What to do and see in Aireys Inlet, Australia: The Best Places and Tips
Discover the best top things to do in Aireys Inlet, Australia including Split Point Lighthouse, Moggs Creek Lookout, Distillery Creek Picnic Ground, Lorne Beach, Blazing Saddles, Coogoorah Park Nature Reserve, Teddy's Lookout, Great Escape Books, Lorne Visitor Information Centre, Great Ocean Road Mini Golf.
Restaurants in Aireys Inlet
1. Split Point Lighthouse
Overall Ratings
4 based on 309 reviews
Reviewed By doctraveller11 - New Delhi, India
This is my favourite point on the Great Ocean Road. The Aireys Inlet or the White Queen as this lighthouse is fondly called is one of the most beautiful Lighthouses of my life. There are gorgeous cafes, pretty Gardens and the grand Southern Ocean to look at from the top. You will totally love your walk from the parking till here.
The lighthouse offers 360 degree views from the top. You have to book the tickets in advance. The lighthouse opens at 11 AM
2. Moggs Creek Lookout
Overall Ratings
4 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By MASK_3551 - Bendigo, Australia
You need to park at the end of Robyn St in Fairhaven and walk from there.
Looking away from the beach, head up the car access track (open during summer) and walk up a steep incline for around 600 metres. Not suitable for frail or extremely unfit people. You will come to a green sign pointing you towards the beach for 50 metres where you will come to the Moggs Creek Lookout.
The lookout will give you views from the lighthouse at Aireys Inlet all the way to Lorne. Its great on a sunny day to look into the water and see the reefs.
There is a railing around the lookout, however smaller children need to be looked after as they can fall some distance.
There is no bins or water at the lookout.
As you leave the lookout, turn immediately to your right, and there is a smaller bush track you can take back to your car at Robyn Ave. I would recommend during summer to keep to the larger tracks as the snakes are easier to see.
3. Distillery Creek Picnic Ground
Overall Ratings
4 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By MASK_3551 - Bendigo, Australia
For those wanting a different picnic experience, you cant go past the Distillery Creek Picnic Ground.
You need to enter from Bambra Road which is at the bottom of the hill between the top and bottom shops. Travel along this road a couple of kilometres and the road will turn to the right slightly and turn to gravel. The turnoff to Distillery Creek Picnic Ground is on the left.
As you enter the area, you can either go into the left or the right car park and picnic area. the toilets are located in the left car park.
There is a number of picnic tables to choose, and during non fire season, you can cook on a wood BBQ (bring your own wood). There are no bins, so all rubbish needs to be taken with you.
The Picnic Area is filled with birds whistling and tweeting and if you're lucky you will here a kookaburra echoing through the gully.
This is one of our favourite picnic areas to take guests when they come to visit.
4. Lorne Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 333 reviews
Reviewed By 388katharinew - Noosa Heads
Lorne beach is a gorgeous beach. The water is great for swimming (19 degrees - a tad cool for Queenslanders) & Surfing on the point. The mountainous views surrounding the beach are stunning. Great long stretch of sand to walk along & explore the rock pools but also the shipwreck trail parallel to the beach. My tip is to get up early & watch the sunrise over the ocean, breathtaking!
5. Blazing Saddles
Overall Ratings
4 based on 96 reviews
Blazing Saddles is a horse riding school on the Great Ocean Road in Aireys inlet. We provide fun for all the family from pony rides for the little ones to full day adventures for experienced riders. We also offer holiday clinics, lessons, kids parties, pub rides, beach and bush rides from one hour to full day adventures. We are open daily but bookings are essential.
Reviewed By Anonymous M
I had an OK ride but the staff really weren't friendly as other horse riding places I've been. I made a small mistake on holding the reins then corrected myself, but the instructor glared at me and asked me whether I could actually post to the trot and canter. I told her yes, which was true, but she looked sceptical and told everyone to keep an eye on me. Our guide was very nice however even though we did no cantering on the "Learn to CANTER" ride. I probably would have had a much better ride if not for the bad first impression
6. Coogoorah Park Nature Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 32 reviews
Reviewed By UrbanDrifter - Melbourne
It is easy to spend several hours in Coogoorah Park which is often more sheltered than the coast. Take a bush walk around the pathways, fish from the jetties, stop for a barbecue or rest while the children play in the playground which includes a wooden ship inspired by the ‘Inverlochy’, wrecked off the coast in 1902.
The kids can play in the Anglesea River, there are a number of Conservation areas and you can go fishing off the jetties. I've taken many groups canoeing and stand up paddle boarding on the river.
Listen out for frogs calling and look out for egrets walking in the shallows searching for lunchFacilities at the Reserve or nearby
Open 24 hours a day.
Fishing platforms, walking tracks, Picnic tables, Public toilets, nearby Car parking
Dogs allowed on lead.
A must visit in Anglesea.
7. Teddy's Lookout
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 493 reviews
8. Great Escape Books
Overall Ratings
5 based on 6 reviews
Great Escape Books is situated on the scenic Great Ocean Rd in Aireys Inlet. Our talented team love helping clients find a fabulous new book or author. We specialise in offering great events, including book launches, readings, children's events and Literary lunches. Settle in on one of our leather couches and enjoy a tea or coffee (brewed onsite) while we help you choose your books.
Reviewed By Beck and Steven X - Melbourne, Australia
Located in the beautiful coastal town of Aireys Inlet is a delightful little haven know as Great Escape Books. The shelves are brimming with books on a wide range of subjects & the owners genuine love for books can be seen in the way that they handpick titles to satisfy a range of tastes & specialities.
[ Dictionary Definition: Book - "a written or printed work consisting of pages glued or sewn together along one side and bound in covers" ]
Being a small, independent, family owned business the staff themselves strive to personally review many of the books & my husband & I witnessed how they seem to thoroughly enjoy chatting with their valued customers about shared favourite stories & genres.
[ Couches, Coffees & Caterpillars ]:
For those who love curling up with a good book & refreshing 'cuppa' you can do just that. With a couple of couches on site & Coffee, Tea or Hot Chocolate available to purchase, the scene is set for you to take time out from browsing & relax whilst contemplating your next buy.
Young ones & teenagers are well looked after by means of an impressive array from all the well know & most popular Authors. Additionally a collection of puzzles, soft character toys, games and Lego are in stock.
The personalised experience is topped off by both the Loyalty Club that offers Member discounts & a Newsletter that keeps you updated in regards upcoming Literary Events
[Summary]:
My husband & I are both avid readers & die-hard fans of actual books that are organic & of substance. For us nothing beats that unique smell of a new book & the crinkling sound of new pages being pried open for this first time.
Since the advent of stories being purchased in electronic format & the somewhat demise of physical bookshops it is wonderful that Great Escape Books are investing in keeping the magic alive and doing their best to enrich the wider Reading community.
Even though we live in Melbourne we look forward to making this our first port of call when in search of our next read if not always in person then by way of their on-line store.
[Conclusion]:
Situated approximately 850 metres from the Split Point Lighthouse they are easy to find & we highly recommend that a special stop here is included in your itinerary. All in all Great Escape Books offers a warm, friendly atmosphere allowing you to take as long as you wish to browse, enjoy a cuppa & a chat. So why not bring your family in to meet theirs & help support a great independent business - we are sure that they will be glad to see you!
Thank you for Reading this review, we hope that it has been helpful.
9. Lorne Visitor Information Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 130 reviews
Drop in to the Lorne Visitor Information Centre to ensure you make the most of your stay on the spectacular Surf Coast and Great Ocean Road.Professional advice on attractions, things to see and do, restaurants, cafes and upcoming events. Free maps, and guides. Discounted attraction tickets.
Reviewed By Janine J
Walked the Erskine Falls walk. The track needs maintenance as there were many trees down over the track. Be mindful of the seven river crossings.
10. Great Ocean Road Mini Golf
Overall Ratings
5 based on 6 reviews
This mini golf course compliments the look and feel of the Great Ocean Road and Otways. The course boasts its own lighthouse, shipwreck with a creek running through the whole facility to truly give it that coastal feel. Each mini golf hole has something different to offer. Your golf experience will culminate on the 18th hole where you final 'putt' will see your ball travel through the lighthouse and back to the clubhouse. Not only the kids love this one. Virtual Golf, a giant golf simulator has been set up within the ‘clubhouse’. Rain hail or shine virtual golf provides a real golf experience. Play one of 22 courses or practice your skills on the driving range. New to the 'clubhouse' is Connect 4 Golf. A putting game for two people that is a great take off of the well known board game "Connect Four". Suitable for all ages and abilities.
Reviewed By Beck and Steven X - Melbourne, Australia
There is no doubt that the introduction of a Mini Golf Course to the Coastal community of Aireys Inlet is a wonderful idea, adding yet another dimension to what is already a top notch holiday destination.
Two play options are available at this venue with the first being a traditional eighteen hole outdoor course that appears to have been based upon the sea vessel 'Inverlochy' that was shipwrecked in 1902 & currently rests in the waters off Point Addis.
Attractive landscaping includes a small creek that meanders its way past the various holes and we expect that it will provide for an impressive array of colours once the flowers & plants are in full blossom & bloom.
For those whom are more into 'tech' is the inclusion of an indoor Virtual Golf Course where players can choose from one of twenty-two different courses from around the world & play it out on a large screen. It is understood that bookings are recommended to avoid disappointment. Cold beverages & ice-creams are available for purchase with visitors encouraged to visit one of the nearby Cafe's if desirous of either a Coffee or snack.
A nice surprise is the provision of two Cocktail Cabinet Arcade Game Machines which allow us "children of the 1960's & 1970's" to reminisce whilst battling aliens in Galaga or running as fast as your button pushing would allow to escape the Pacman. [ I was always too slow. ] The look on our twelve year old sons face was priceless when explaining it to him.
[ In regards the absence of Wheelchair & Mobility Aid Access]:
We acknowledge that Disabled Toilets have been included & no doubt the allocation of Disabled Parking is near on the top of the owners 'to do list'.
Respectfully however we must admit to being terribly disappointed that this brand new facility has no wheelchair access to the actual course itself. One would think that in this era of so called 'technological & building ingenuity' factoring in such an important element would have been entirely possible.
Many times attractions will bank largely on being seen as "Perfect Fun for The Whole Family". For such a statement to ring true then the venue would need to be one that allows for inclusiveness. That simply can not be the case when sections of the community are excluded due to a lack of access.
It is understood that consideration is being given to the installation of trampolines to the front of the complex. It would be brilliant if the space was instead used to add a second mini golf course, with just as many holes as the space will safely allow for, specifically designed for guests in need of access via either a wheelchair or alternate mobility device. Then visitors from both near & far will truly have a chance for the "whole family" to play around together. [ Yes that pun was intended too]. PS: Virtual golf is not the same thing.
[Summary]:
There is no doubt that a friendly game or two at the Great Ocean Road Mini Golf Course is worth adding to your likely 'ever increasing' list of things to do when heading down the Coast. It has only just opened & it is clear that there is still a bit to do before the entire complex is fully completed in regards the décor & furnishings before it reaches its full potential.
Nevertheless the attraction is a wonderful option whether the weather & will no doubt prove to be an excellent asset during the colder months of the year when a day at the beach can for some seem less inviting. My family certainly enjoyed our time here & look forward to returning when next down the coast.
Thank you for Reading this review, we hope that it has been helpful.
PS: You can learn more about the Inverlochy & Point Addis by way of the reviews we have written under a separate cover.
PPS: We also are aware that some of our fellow travellers enjoy 'doing the rounds' so to speak - [ yes, the pun was intended ] - of the various Mini Golf Courses around the State. As such, please refer to our separate review of the Australian Themed, Daylesford Mini Golf Course.
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