What are the top things to do in Aireys Inlet?

Climb the Split Point Lighthouse tower (45-min guided tour), walk the cliff loop linking Eagle Rock and Pulpit Rock (45 min), find the Round the Twist filming locations, swim at the patrolled town beach, eat at A La Grecque, and walk a section of the longer Surf Coast Walk. Combined: a relaxed half-day or a full day if you slow down.

Is the Split Point Lighthouse tour worth it?

Yes for travellers wanting context and the climb to the gallery. Tours run daily 11am–3pm, around AU$20/adult, and include the climb up 132 stairs to the lamp room and external balcony. The view from the top stretches from Bells Beach to Cape Otway on a clear day. Booking ahead recommended in summer school holidays.

How long is the Eagle Rock cliff walk?

The signposted Split Point loop is about 2 km return and takes 45 minutes. It links the lighthouse to Eagle Rock (a striking offshore stack), Pulpit Rock, and the Steps Beach lookout. The path is mostly flat coastal heath with one short climb back to the car park; suitable for most fitness levels.

Where are the Round the Twist filming locations?

The lighthouse keeper's cottage at Split Point Lighthouse appears in nearly every episode — it's the actual cottage, restored as accommodation. The cliffs and rock pools below the lighthouse feature throughout the four series. Eagle Rock and Pulpit Rock both make recurring appearances. The most direct way to find filming locations is to do the cliff loop walk; you'll recognise multiple shots from the show theme song.

Can you swim at Aireys Inlet?

Yes — the main town beach is patrolled in summer (typically late November to Easter, 10am–5pm). The exposed coastal aspect means waves can be larger than at sheltered Lorne. For gentler swimming, Stephens Beach (just north) and the protected coves between Aireys and Anglesea offer alternatives. Always swim between the flags during patrol hours.

What's the Surf Coast Walk?

A 44 km walking trail running from Torquay to Aireys Inlet through coastal heath and clifftop sections. Aireys Inlet sits at the western end of the official trail. Day sections work well — the Aireys to Anglesea section (16 km, 4–5 hours one-way) is the most popular for fit walkers. Shuttle services available between trailheads.

Are there things to do in Aireys Inlet for kids?

Yes. The cliff walk loop is mostly flat and step-free, suitable for prams and small children. Lighthouse tours engage most kids. The patrolled beach is family-friendly. Aireys Inlet Holiday Park has a playground and family-focused atmosphere. Hang-gliding tandem flights from Eagle Rock cliffs are an older-kid option (operator-dependent).

What can you do in Aireys Inlet when it's raining?

Lighthouse tours run in light rain. A La Grecque is excellent for sit-and-watch-the-rain afternoons. The Aireys Pub for an indoor afternoon. The lighthouse precinct interpretation centre is undercover. The town doesn't have a major indoor attraction — heavy rain days are best spent driving 12 km south to Lorne for the wider café scene.

Aireys Inlet beach with Eagle Rock formation

Aireys Inlet activities

Things to do in Aireys Inlet

A 1891 lighthouse with daily tours, a cliff walk linking Eagle Rock and Pulpit Rock, the cult Round the Twist filming spots, and a small but excellent café strip.

Where to stay Aireys Inlet overview

The shortlist

What you should not skip

Aireys Inlet is small enough that the activity list is short, but every entry on the list is genuinely worth doing. The town's appeal is concentrated rather than sprawling — the lighthouse, the cliff walks, and the café strip are the three anchors, and they sit within 10 minutes' walk of each other.

Split Point Lighthouse — daily tower tours and the cliff-walk trailhead. Full lighthouse guide.
Eagle Rock + Pulpit Rock cliff walk — 2 km loop, 45 minutes, the strongest single experience in town.
Round the Twist filming locations — found along the cliff walk; the lighthouse keeper cottages are the actual filming site.
Aireys Inlet beach — patrolled in summer, walking distance from the main strip.
A La Grecque — modern Greek lunch or dinner, the road's strongest café-restaurant outside the larger towns.
Surf Coast Walk section — multi-hour day walk option for fit travellers. Aireys to Anglesea is the most popular.

In town

Within walking distance

Split Point Lighthouse grounds — free, 24 hours.
Lighthouse tower tour — daily 11am–3pm, ~AU$20/adult.
Eagle Rock + Pulpit Rock cliff loop — 2 km, 45 min.
Aireys Inlet beach — patrolled summer, family-friendly.
Stephens Beach — quieter alternative, walk-down access.
Aireys Inlet Historical Society — small free local-history museum.
Main strip café crawl — A La Grecque, Captain Moonlite, the General Store.

Just outside town

Within a 30-minute drive

Memorial Arch (5 km north) — 10-min photo stop. Memorial Arch guide.
Anglesea Golf Course kangaroos (15 km north).
Bells Beach (20 km north) — cliff-top viewing platform. Bells Beach guide.
Lorne foreshore (12 km south) — pier, café strip, swimming bay.
Erskine Falls (25 km south-west) — most accessible Otway waterfall. Erskine Falls guide.
Surf Coast Walk to Anglesea (16 km one-way) — full day hike.
Hang-gliding from Eagle Rock — tandem flights with operators (weather-dependent).

Split Point Lighthouse on the Aireys Inlet headland along the Great Ocean Road — The 1891 'White Queen' on the southern headland. Daily tower tours plus the 2 km cliff walk loop start from the lighthouse car park.

A perfect day in Aireys Inlet

If you have 24 hours

7:30am — Coffee at the General Store. Walk down to the beach for sunrise.

9:00am — Drive 5 minutes to Memorial Arch for the photo.

10:00am — Split Point Lighthouse tower tour.

11:30am — Walk the Eagle Rock cliff loop. Find the Round the Twist spots.

1:00pm — Lunch at A La Grecque.

3:00pm — Drive 15 minutes north to Anglesea Golf Course for the kangaroos. Or south to Lorne for the pier.

5:30pm — Sunset on the Aireys cliff path.

7:30pm — Dinner at A La Grecque or Captain Moonlite.

Frequently asked

Aireys Inlet things-to-do FAQs

What are the top things to do in Aireys Inlet?: Climb the Split Point Lighthouse tower (45-min guided tour), walk the cliff loop linking Eagle Rock and Pulpit Rock (45 min), find the Round the Twist filming locations, swim at the patrolled town beach, eat at A La Grecque, and walk a section of the longer Surf Coast Walk. Combined: a relaxed half-day or a full day if you slow down.
Is the Split Point Lighthouse tour worth it?: Yes for travellers wanting context and the climb to the gallery. Tours run daily 11am–3pm, around AU$20/adult, and include the climb up 132 stairs to the lamp room and external balcony. The view from the top stretches from Bells Beach to Cape Otway on a clear day. Booking ahead recommended in summer school holidays.
How long is the Eagle Rock cliff walk?: The signposted Split Point loop is about 2 km return and takes 45 minutes. It links the lighthouse to Eagle Rock (a striking offshore stack), Pulpit Rock, and the Steps Beach lookout. The path is mostly flat coastal heath with one short climb back to the car park; suitable for most fitness levels.
Where are the Round the Twist filming locations?: The lighthouse keeper's cottage at Split Point Lighthouse appears in nearly every episode — it's the actual cottage, restored as accommodation. The cliffs and rock pools below the lighthouse feature throughout the four series. Eagle Rock and Pulpit Rock both make recurring appearances. The most direct way to find filming locations is to do the cliff loop walk; you'll recognise multiple shots from the show theme song.
Can you swim at Aireys Inlet?: Yes — the main town beach is patrolled in summer (typically late November to Easter, 10am–5pm). The exposed coastal aspect means waves can be larger than at sheltered Lorne. For gentler swimming, Stephens Beach (just north) and the protected coves between Aireys and Anglesea offer alternatives. Always swim between the flags during patrol hours.
What's the Surf Coast Walk?: A 44 km walking trail running from Torquay to Aireys Inlet through coastal heath and clifftop sections. Aireys Inlet sits at the western end of the official trail. Day sections work well — the Aireys to Anglesea section (16 km, 4–5 hours one-way) is the most popular for fit walkers. Shuttle services available between trailheads.
Are there things to do in Aireys Inlet for kids?: Yes. The cliff walk loop is mostly flat and step-free, suitable for prams and small children. Lighthouse tours engage most kids. The patrolled beach is family-friendly. Aireys Inlet Holiday Park has a playground and family-focused atmosphere. Hang-gliding tandem flights from Eagle Rock cliffs are an older-kid option (operator-dependent).
What can you do in Aireys Inlet when it's raining?: Lighthouse tours run in light rain. A La Grecque is excellent for sit-and-watch-the-rain afternoons. The Aireys Pub for an indoor afternoon. The lighthouse precinct interpretation centre is undercover. The town doesn't have a major indoor attraction — heavy rain days are best spent driving 12 km south to Lorne for the wider café scene.

Plan an Aireys Inlet stop into your road trip

Where to stay → 3-day classic itinerary