The bay was discovered in the late 1820s by Captain James Wishart, a sealer who took shelter from the storm there. He named the bay “ Fairy ” after his little boat . In the early 1830s, seal hunters and whalers came over regularly from Tasmania to the south coast of Australia. The shipbuilder and entrepreneur John Griffiths from Launceston (Tasmania) built the whaling station on Griffiths Island on the offshore island (" Griffiths Island "), which today serves as a breeding ground for thousands of birds. Gradually the mainland was also settled. John Cox from Clarendon (Tasmania) built the first shop on the banks of the Moyne River in 1839 .
In 1843 the lawyer James Atkinson received from Sydney 5120 acres land (2,072 hectares ) west of the Moyne River; the price was £ 1 an acre. The government of New South Wales wanted to encourage farmers to settle. Atkinson renamed the place after his Irish hometown Belfast . He recruited brave business people and emigrants from England, Ireland and Scotland to settle here. Some immigrants came by the direct route, others via Portland Bay , Geelong or Port Philipp .
In the mid and late 19th century, Port Fairy was one of the largest ports in Australia.
Today as then, fishing is still the largest industry in the area, which is why a modern fishing fleet is stationed in the port. In addition, tourism is an important industry for this small historical place. More than 50 historic buildings are under monument protection ( National Trust of Australia ).
Sons and daughters
Brian Finnigan (* 1938), Roman Catholic clergyman, auxiliary bishop emeritus in Brisbane
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