TRAVEL
Port Fairy is on the South West Coast of Victoria, approximately 290km from Melbourne, and 28km from Warrnambool, it’s largest regional neighbour. Allow 3.5 hours travel from Melbourne by car via Princes/Hamilton Highway and 6 hours if taking the scenic route via the Great Ocean Road. The Festival arena is just a short stroll from the centre of the township on Campbell Street, Port Fairy.
Port Fairy One of Australia’s Top 10 Charming Beach Towns
TravelMag invited fifty travel writers and photographers to name their top ‘Australian getaways’. Port Fairy is in the top ten! Click here to find out why…
Port Fairy is an old sea-side fishing and farming village looking out to the Southern Ocean waves rolling along the south-west coast of the state of Victoria. It was along this south coast of Australia that ships sailed in the early years of immigration. Many were wrecked on the rocks. A fishing fleet still operates from the wharf on the river.
The town of Port Fairy has become a thriving year round tourism destination and is an ideal stopover for ongoing tours further west or north to The Grampians.
Access & Parking
The main Arena is located at Southcombe Sports Complex in Campbell Street, Port Fairy. There are also many free venues in the township that provide entertainment for non-ticket holders. If you are staying in town, please consider walking to the festival! There is also a low floor wheelchair accessible Music Shuttle Bus that circuits the town for the cost of a gold coin donation. Public parking is available on the corner of James and Campbell Streets; a fee is charged and parking spaces are limited. You may also park in the streets of town where permitted, however please observe all signs, and road closures. Wheelchair access is available to all venues in the Arena, Fiddler’s Green, Lecture Hall, St Pat’s Hall and the Reardon Theatre in the town. Disabled permit parking is located in Campbell Street outside the front gate of the Arena. Wheelchair accessible toilets are provided at the public toilet locations in the Arena and around the township. Hearing induction loops are installed at River stage (Stage 1) and Pyipgil Gundidj (Stage 5). Receivers can be obtained from the Festival Information Stall located centrally in the arena.
V-Line provides services to Port Fairy via rail to Warrnambool and coach to Port Fairy. For timetable details, please click here: www.vline.com.au
Music Shuttle Bus
The Music Shuttle commences at the Gardens Oval and circuits the centre of Port Fairy. Town shuttle departs every 45 minutes from the Gardens Oval. The Music Dhuttle is a low floor bus with pram & wheelchair access.
Times
FRIDAY 10 MARCH 2023 6.30PM – 12.30AM (last shuttle)
SATURDAY 11 & SUNDAY 12 MARCH 2023 8.30AM – 12.30AM (last shuttle)
MONDAY 13 MARCH 2023 8.00AM – 2.00PM (last shuttle)
Warrnambool & Gum Tree Caravan Park Festival Bus
In addition to the Port Fairy Shuttle Bus service the Festival has introduced Festival buses for patrons travelling from Warrnambool and Gum Tree Caravan Park. Gold coin donations are appreciated.
DOWNLOAD THE BUS TIMETABLES HERE
Pick up for the Warrambool service will be from the Visitor Information Centre, 89 Merri Street, Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, with a second pick up point at 600 Raglan Parade, Warrnambool (near Kentucky Fried Chicken). The trip is expected to take approximately 30 minutes, depending on traffic. Passengers will disembark outside the Festival gates in Campbell St, Port Fairy. This is also the pick up point for the return journey.
The Gum Tree Caravan Park bus is a separate service that will also be stopping at Port Fairy Big 4 and Port Fairy Holiday Park. There is no need to book for either service, please arrive at your pick up point early as ‘first in, best dressed’ seating applies. The bus schedules are as follows:
WARRNAMBOOL (Coaster Buses unless stated otherwise)
FRIDAY 10 MARCH 2023
5.30PM LEAVE FLAGSTAFF HILL via KFC
6.00PM ARRIVE AT FESTIVAL
7.30PM LEAVE FLAGSTAFF HILL via KFC
8.00PM ARRIVE AT FESTIVAL
12.00AM LEAVE FESTIVAL (COACH)
00.30AM ARRIVE FLAGSTAFF HILL via KFC
SATURDAY 11 & SUNDAY 12 MARCH 2023
9.00AM LEAVE FLAGSTAFF HILL via KFC
10.00AM ARRIVE AT FESTIVAL
1.00PM LEAVE FLAGSTAFF HILL via KFC
1.30PM ARRIVE AT FESTIVAL
5.30PM LEAVE FESTIVAL
6.00PM ARRIVE FLAGSTAFF HILL via KFC
6.30PM LEAVE FLAGSTAFF HILL via KFC
7.00PM ARRIVE FESTIVAL
9.00PM LEAVE FESTIVAL
9.30PM ARRIVE FLAGSTAFF HILL via KFC
12.00AM LEAVE FESTIVAL (COACH)
00.30AM ARRIVE FLAGSTAFF HILL via KFC
MONDAY 13 MARCH 2023
9.00AM LEAVE FLAGSTAFF HILL via KFC
10.00AM ARRIVE AT FESTIVAL
1.00PM LEAVE FESTIVAL
1.30PM ARRIVE FLAGSTAFF HILL via KFC
GUM TREE CARAVAN PARK (Coaster – also stopping at Port Fairy Big 4 & Port Fairy Holiday Park)
FRIDAY 10 MARCH 2023
5.30PM LEAVE GUM TREE via Big 4 Holiday Park
6.00PM ARRIVE FESTIVAL
00.15AM LEAVE FESTIVAL
00.45AM ARRIVE GUM TREE via Big 4 Holiday Park
SATURDAY 11 & SUNDAY 12 MARCH 2023
9.15AM LEAVE GUM TREE via Big 4 Holiday Park
9.45AM ARRIVE FESTIVAL
11.30AM LEAVE GUM TREE via Big 4 Holiday Park
12.00PM ARRIVE FESTIVAL
12.15PM LEAVE FESTIVAL
12.45PM ARRIVE GUM TREE via Big 4 Holiday Park
4.00PM LEAVE GUM TREE via Big 4 Holiday Park
4.25PM ARRIVE FESTIVAL
4.30PM LEAVE FESTIVAL
5.00PM ARRIVE GUM TREE via Big 4 Holiday Park
6.30PM LEAVE GUM TREE via Big 4 Holiday Park
7.00PM ARRIVE FESTIVAL
9.30PM LEAVE FESTIVAL
10.00PM ARIIVE GUM TREE via Big 4 Holiday Park
00.15AM LEAVE FESTIVAL
00.45AM ARRIVE GUM TREE via Big 4 Holiday Park
MONDAY 13 MARCH 2023
9.15AM LEAVE GUM TREE via Big 4 Holiday Park
9.45AM ARRIVE FESTIVAL
1.15PM LEAVE FESTIVAL
1.45PM ARRIVE GUM TREE via Big 4 Holiday Park
EXPLORE MORE OF PORT FAIRY FOLK FESTIVAL
