Fairhaven Beach

Fairhaven Beach is a sandy ocean beach stretching more than six kilometres along the Great Ocean Road, from the mouth of Moggs Creek west to Cinema Point, where the shore curves to face east. Come for a long walk, open water and room to pause; this is a broad, exposed coast rather than a built-up attraction.

Surf and wind can change the feel of the water quickly, and rips are a known hazard. Patrols are seasonal and generally run on warmer-month weekends, so swim only between the flags when they are up. The rest of the shoreline is better treated as an exposed coast for walking and looking than as a supervised swimming area.

From the sand, look along the curve of the shore toward distant Split Point Lighthouse; from some stretches it gives the open beach a clear landmark. The long line of surf makes a good wide view, though wind exposure is part of the experience.