ADDRESS: 5330 Great Ocean Road, Allansford
PHONE: +61 3 5565 3190
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WEB: www.cheeseworld.com.au

The Cheese World Museum forms part of the Allansford Cheese World Tourist complex on the Great Ocean Road, 45 minutes from the 12 Apostles and 15 minutes from the coastal city of Warrnambool.

Established in 1996, the museum is a showcase of the region’s dairy industry and a tribute to the Western District’s hard working farming families. The museum exhibits farming implements, photos, home wares and personal items belonging to early local dairy farming families.

The Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory was first established on this site in 1888 and has continued to grow to become a major contributor to the local economy. The Museum shows the history of the company and the growth of the local dairy industry from the early 1900s to today.

In addition to the dairy history displays the museum also houses a motor museum, including a wide range of engines and motoring accessories donated and maintained by the Warrnambool and District Historical Vehicle Club. The single most impressive part of this collection is a 7750 kg Ruston & Hornsby Engine c1940.

The adjacent Cheese World Cheese and Wine Cellar provides a link for visitors between the history and development of our region and the quality dairy produce stemming from the company today. The Cheese and Wine Cellar stocks locally produced cheese, wine and gourmet goods and offers free cheese tasting throughout the day.

The Cheese World museum is open 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 3pm on Saturdays and 10am to 3pm on Sundays. Admission is free.

ADDRESS: 34 James Street, Port Fairy, 3284
PHONE: +61 3 5568 3349

Come and see a collection of dolls that span three centuries from 19th Century wax and bisque to modern collectable Barbies.
There are more than 1300 exhibits including prams, toys, rocking horses and old Aussie icons such as Gerry and Geraldine Gee Junior dolls. We are open 10.30am to 4pm Thursday to Monday.
Entry fee: adults - $4, children 16 and under $2.

ADDRESS: Griffiths Street, Port Fairy
PHONE: 03 5568 2632

The Port Fairy lifeboat was built in Williamstown in 1857 and is the oldest surviving self-righting, self-draining lifeboat in the world. Co-incidentally, its sister boat, Portland, also survives (Portland Maritime Discovery Centre).

The Port Fairy vessel is housed in its original lifeboat house, and is regularly taken to sea by a volunteer crew. Last Year, it was sailed to Portland and back to participate in the 150th anniversary of the wreck of the steamship Admella, to which the Portland
lifeboat attended and saved 19 lives.

The Port Fairy vessel was decommissioned as a lifeboat at the beginning of World War 2, and subsequently used as a dredge in the Moyne, before being discarded on the river bank in 1975. A small group in the community, with the support of the Borough of Port Fairy, raised funds and co-ordinated the reconstruction of the lifeboat in 1995 and the impressive vessel was re-launched in January, 1997. Since then, there have been over 100 voyages (relying upon oars (10) and sail ( a traditional dipping lug form, made in 1997 in traditional canvas) into Port Fairy bay, to Portland and, for its 150th birthday, was transported to Hobart to participate in the Australian Wooden Boat Festival in 2007.

The boat has been carefully restored to represent the vessel in 1888 (based on a photograph at that time, and in the paint colours of the period. The lifeboat house was built in 1861 (in the bay, out from East Beach), before relocation on the Moyne in 1872, when it was fitted with a slipway. Close by is an intact Rocket House, which contains an extraordinary collection of 19 and early 20th century maritime rescue equipment. The boat, buildings and rescue collection are listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.

The Macarthur Historical Society Museum is located in High Street, in the old Macarthur Courthouse, a beautiful building which dates to the 1860s.

The historical society was formed in March 1987 and operates on the third Thursday of the month from 1.30pm to 3.3pm.

Any queries can be directed to (03) 55761221 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The society's official website is www.macarthurhs.macweb.com.au

ADDRESS: 5 Sackville Street, Port Fairy, 3284
PHONE: +61 3 5568 2632
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Mott’s  Cottage is owned by the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) and is opened to the public on Wednesdays and Saturdays between 2pm and 4pm.   The cottage is only open by appointment over winter (June, July and August) through the Port Fairy Visitor Information Centre. Furnished as a working man’s home, the cottage has an interesting past. The first section dates from the 1840s and at one time was used as a bakery, over time the dwelling was extended and it is a rare example of a two storey cottage.

ADDRESS: 30 Gipps Street, Port Fairy
PHONE: +61 3 5568 2263
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The Port Fairy History Centre is an accredited museum telling the story of the Port Fairy region through interesting displays and photographs. The society takes part in many of Port Fairy’s annual events such as the Moyneyana Festival and Winter Weekends. We have published several booklets and books on aspects of our history over the years and our general meetings usually include an interesting guest speaker. New members are always welcome.