Portarlington offers a range of options to help plan your trip: coastal walks and harbour areas sit alongside culinary experiences featuring mussels and local produce. Culture, recurring festivals and activities such as golf or a ride on the miniature railway are also among the ways to get to know the town.
Coastal walks, beach and harbour
The Bellarine Coastal Trail is a 17-kilometre walking route connecting Portarlington, Indented Head and St Leonards. In Portarlington, it connects with the Ramblers Walk, and in St Leonards with the Edwards Point Wildlife Reserve. The path is wide and mostly level. It is suitable for strollers, dog walks, family bike rides and relaxed walks alone or with friends.
Another scenic coastal route is The Esplanade: about 10 kilometres long, it runs along the waterfront promenade between Portarlington and the neighbouring coastal towns of Indented Head and St Leonards. The north-facing waterfront promenade looks across Port Phillip towards Melbourne and the You Yangs. For a walk around Portarlington Harbour, you can include the beach, pier and breakwater; along the way, you can see artworks and wildlife or enjoy sunsets.
Portarlington Front Beach is downhill from the central shopping and dining strip and can be reached on foot in a short time. The beach and waterfront promenade are therefore options in their own right, alongside the walks and attractions around the harbour.
Water, ferry and access
Portarlington Harbour has a designated area for swimming only. Signs, buoys in the water and a swimming barrier mark it. Another area for swimming in open water is west of Portarlington Pier. Anglers can fish from the pier. When finding your way around the water, it is important to distinguish between the designated swimming areas and the fishing spot at the pier.
Portarlington Harbour can be reached by boat or vehicle. Port Phillip Ferries operates a regular commuter service between Melbourne’s Docklands, Geelong and Portarlington. If you plan to take the ferry to get there, check the timetable in advance. At the western end of the Portarlington coast is Point Richards, where a boat ramp leads down to a sheltered launching area.
Mussels, local produce and festivals
The Portarlington Mussel Tours bring mussel farming and regional cuisine together. This culinary experience takes place aboard a lovingly restored 40-year-old Huon pine vessel and offers a firsthand look at mussel farming. Cooking demonstrations and tastings are complemented by local wines and produce; the offering also includes Portarlington mussels, local seafood and wines from the Bellarine Peninsula.
Festivals also bring local themes together with music and entertainment. The Portarlington Mussel Festival takes place every January and features mussels prepared in different ways, as well as music, entertainment and market stalls. The National Celtic Folk Festival is held in Portarlington over the June long weekend. It celebrates Celtic culture through dance, music, theatre, strength games and hurling. If a festival is a deciding factor in your trip, check the dates in advance.
Culture and other activities
A 120-metre-long mural by Wadawurrung artists is located at Portarlington Pier. It portrays their stories and cultural heritage. Another prominent landmark is the Grand Hotel on Newcombe Street, built in 1886.
The Portarlington Miniature Railway is located in Rotary Children's Park and operated by the Drysdale Rotary Club. It offers rides for young and old on miniature steam and diesel locomotives, adding a unique attraction to the coastal and cultural offerings. Golfers will find a range of tee options at Portarlington Golf Club, with the length and difficulty adjustable to suit different skill levels.
Discover more destinations: Batesford, Point Lonsdale, Anglesea, Torquay, Ocean Grove, Queenscliff
For the main travel overview: Geelong.
