Aireys Inlet is “the one with the lighthouse”, even to the unfamiliar. Visit the Lighthouse for stunning views – take a tour for even better ones, plus a history lesson!
The Split Point Lighthouse is open to the public for tours and a discovery trail in the surrounding area offers insight into the history of the area as well as glorious views of the Eagle Rock Marine Sanctuary.
The Split Point Lighthouse dominates the Aireys Inlet landscape, its 34-metre high tower and typical red cap visible for miles. The still-operating lighthouse is open to the public with self-guided tours available and sweeping views of the Eagle Rock Marine Sanctuary and Great Ocean Road region below.
The grounds surrounding the lighthouse include a replica of the ‘bark hut’ early settlers in Aireys Inlet would have lived in, and the beach at the base of the lighthouse has great rockpools to explore.
Finally built in 1891 after a number of shipwrecks, the history of the Split Point Lighthouse highlights the isolation faced by pioneers living along the coastline in the early 1900’s before the road.
Today, 34 metres tall and 66 metres above sea level, it’s light guides vessels as they navigate the Bass Strait. nd yes, this is the lighthouse that featured in the 90s TV show ‘Round the Twist’!
The Split Point Lighthouse, also affectionately known as the ‘White Queen’, sits nestled on the cliffs of Aireys Inlet. Self-guided tours are available and provide sweeping 360-degree views including the Eagle Rock Marine Sanctuary and Great Ocean Road region.
Travel through maritime history on an Eco-Logic tour to hear stories of the wild and dangerous coastline that has claimed hundreds of ships and remains treacherous today.
At the base of the Split Point Lighthouse, the 17 hectare Eagle Rock Marine Sanctuary is home to a huge variety of marine life. Popular with snorkellers and scuba divers, you can expect to see a diverse range of invertebrates. The rockpools around the sandy coves in this area are also teeming with marine life and are terrific for families to explore.
As you travel west along the Great Ocean Road just outside town, view the famous memorial arch which was erected to commemorate the returned servicemen from World War I who built the Great Ocean Road from 1918 to 1932.
Look for the stunning ‘diggers’ sculpture commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the building of the Great Ocean Road.
Visit the Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch. Located at the Memorial Arch ‘The Diggers’ sculpture, commemorates the 75th Anniversary of the Great Ocean Road. The inspiring sculpture provides visitors with an opportunity to reflect on the 3,000 returned World War I servicemen who built the Great Ocean Road as a memorial to their comrades who were killed in action or died in service during World War I.
Explore the Lighthouse Precinct area. This is a delightful experience incorporating the Split Point Lighthouse, Bark Hut, Allen Noble Sanctuary, the Memorial Cairn and heritage listed buildings. Enjoy the amazing views from the reserve of the Lighthouse.
The Bark Hut close by is a replica of a settler’s hut from the 1860’s which was destroyed in the 1983 Ash Wednesday bushfires. There is a children’s playground here also.
The Aireys Inlet Bark Hut Reserve and Allen Noble Sanctuary is a wonderful retreat located in the centre of town. With well-maintained picnic tables and a playground for the kids, that includes the Bark Hut. The wetland sanctuary, with boardwalks, provide excellent viewing platforms to see a wide variety of native birds. A playground is also situated at the skate park and includes BBQ facilities.
The Aireys Pub is home to Salt Brewing Co and you can also enjoy a tipple of Great Ocean Road Gin‘s, award winning “Split Point” in their Gin Garden. Here’s Cheers! From the hatted a la grecque, to the Captain for delicious pizza and all the cafes in between, Aireys inlet is home to a concentrated offering of deliciousness!
5 beaches, all stunning – start with Sunnymeade (dog friendly). If surfing is your thing you can take to the waves at Fairhaven, or if horse riding is on the cards, with a name you won’t forget, don’t miss the hero horseriding experience of the Great Ocean Road with Blazing Saddles Trail Rides.
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Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Great Ocean Road region the Wadawurrung, Eastern Maar & Gunditjmara. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging. We recognise and respect their unique cultural heritage and the connection to their traditional lands. We commit to building genuine and lasting partnerships that recognise, embrace and support the spirit of reconciliation, working towards self-determination, equity of outcomes and an equal voice for Australia’s first people.
