The Drift House

Merging Victorian heritage with cutting-edge design, Drift House is a unique hotel set on the waterfront of charming Port Fairy, on Australia’s Great Ocean Road. Award-winning architecture firm Multiplicity have sensitively preserved much of the original Victorian stone and detailing of this bluestone mansion, expertly blending the old with the startlingly modern, with perforated metal and walls of glass serving to extend and transform the property. This synergy of traditional and modern has given Drift House its idiosyncratic style, reinforced with the multitude of original artwork created and curated by the artist owner, Colleen Guiney.

Generously proportioned, the suites sit somewhere between a large hotel room and a small apartment, with living areas and bedroom spaces separated in unique and interesting ways. Each is unique in its layout, design and styling, with pops of color, art installations and cutting-edge design combining with the original stone walls and reclaimed local timber to create warm, welcoming and interesting spaces. Each room has its own ‘maxi-bar’ stocked with delicious local goodies and seasonal treats, adding to the home from home atmosphere the owners have strived to create. Comfortable beds, deep soak tubs and luxurious amenities from organic Aussie brand, Grown Alchemist, complete the picture. Due to its boutique size and intimate feel, there is no restaurant to speak of at Drift House. In its place, a breakfast buffet is laid out in the sunny salon, featuring local, seasonal and artisanal produce. Locally roasted coffee and rare-breed cured meats sit alongside freshly baked sourdough and granola from the Irrewarra Estate and a rainbow of fresh Australian fruits. The trendy restaurants and laid-back eateries of Port Fairy are within an easy stroll of the hotel, while the small kitchen at Drift House is perfect for making an early evening snack. Outside in the garden, there is a small solar-heated swimming pool for days when the waters of East Beach are too wild or too chilly, perfect for a sunny afternoon of sun-worshiping after exploring charming Port Fairy.