Town snapshot – Aireys Inlet

TOWN Profile: Aireys Inlet

The size of Aireys Inlet is approximately 20.2 square kilometres with the population of Aireys Inlet in 2016 recorded at 808 and by the 2021 Census the population was 979 showing a population growth of 20% in the area during that time.

Aireys Inlet is a popular coastal village on the Great Ocean Road with a very engaged local community who defend the amenity of the area with passion.

They are also stayers, as the average length of ownership is just over 20 years, one of the highest in the state.

The towns origins began around 1839 when John Airey took up a pastoral run near Point Roadknight, east of the inlet and by 1842 his holding expanded along the coast beyond the inlet and was named the Angahook/Angohawk Run.

It is probable that Aireys Inlet is named after him, although his brother George was a Commissioner for Crown Lands in the Geelong district, 1839-44.

In 1887 the relatively inaccessible inlet area was subdivided and about one hundred blocks were sold.

In 1890 the construction of a lighthouse was begun on the site known as Eagle’s Nest Point (renamed Split Point in 1913).

The heritage listed lighthouse, 100 metres above sea level, is made of cement-rendered concrete.

Access to Aireys Inlet, however, was by travel along the beach from Lorne at low tide or by road over the mountainous Otway Ranges.

In 1905 a survey disclosed that a track along the edge of the coast was possible, and its construction was later taken up as a project to employ returned soldiers.

The Great Ocean Road Trust was formed and the road between Lorne and Anglesea was opened in 1922.

The median house price in Aireys Inlet in 1987 was $74,250 and in 1996 it was $140,000. The low figure in 1987 was three years after the Ash Wednesday fires which destroyed 219 houses in Aireys Inlet, 177 in Fairhaven, 87 in Moggs Creek and 32 in Eastern View.

CoreLogic data indicates that the predominant age group in Aireys Inlet is 50-59 years with households in Aireys Inlet being primarily childless couples and are likely to be repaying on average $2,171 per month on mortgage repayments, and in general, people in Aireys Inlet work in a professional occupation.

AGENT PERSPECTIVE:

“Aireys Inlet is popular because of its under developed nature, being scenically beautiful and its brilliant eateries.

“Located approximately 90 minutes from Melbourne , the town is a mixture of permanent and holiday residents with a common love of the natural environment.

“The town punches above its weight with the amount of great restaurant and café options within the town.

“The combination of all these elements makes it one of the more popular towns on the Great Ocean Road.”

Marty Maher – Director – Great Ocean Properties

TIDBIT:

In 1890 the construction of a lighthouse was begun on the site known as Eagle’s Nest Point (renamed Split Point in 1913).

Population: 979

Male: 49.1%

Female: 50.9%

Median age: 57

5 year population change: 20%

House median sales price: $1,377,500

Change in median price: (5yrs) 41.7%

Median asking rent per week: $570

Average length of ownership: 20.2 years

Owner occupiers: 79%

Renters: 21%

House median value:

December 2024: $1,714,730

December 2023: $1,957,500

December 2022: $1,988,700

December 2021: $1,969,350

December 2020: $1,268,300

House sales per annum:

Period ending December 2024: 20

Period ending December 2023: 24

Land median sale price:

December 2024: $610,000

December 2023: $616,000

Land sales per annum:

Period ending December 2024: 2

Period ending December 2023: 4