Portland
Portland is a thriving coastal town located on the Great Ocean Road which makes the most of its historic streetscapes and picturesque, glistening bay.
When the pioneering Henty brothers recognised there was money to be made in the region, the result was Portland – Victoria’s first agricultural development and first permanent European settlement in 1834.
Today Portland has more than 200 beautifully maintained heritage buildings and private residences – many of them now run as B&Bs. Take the self-guided Historic Buildings Walk, details of which are available from the Portland Visitor Information Centre.
Portland is about 4.5 hours’ drive from Melbourne (on the inland route) and about 6hrs travelling along the Great Ocean Road. There are also flights operating between Melbourne and Portland which take 55 minutes and cost approximately $100 each way.
One of Portland’s most outstanding tourist attractions is its port which is visited by some magnificent vessels. For an insight into Portland’s long seafaring history, which stretches back to the early 1800s when sealers and whalers first used the natural harbour to shelter from the southern storms, visit the Maritime Discovery Centre.
Portland’s waterfront is still buzzing alive with activity – big ships from around the world come in to load up local produce, the local fishing fleet unload its catch in the early mornings or head out in the dark of night and people enjoy the wide foreshore reserve. And whales sometimes visit in the winter months.
Visit Portland during the first weekend of November 2007 and enjoy all the fun and excitment of the Portland Bay Festival. This year’s festival line up is outstanding with many talented national acts including James Reyne, The Black Sorrows and Steven Cummings.. Regional favourites include Justin Carter and crowd favourites The Go Set, Little Stevies, Rob Sawyer, Carus and the True Believers, Borderers, Austin and much more. Tickets are $100 for a weekend family pass or $50 for an adult Saturday night pass.
The district is also known for its outstanding natural attractions, many of them linked by the famous ‘Great South West Walk’.
Other attractions include:
Portland Maritime Discovery Centre – Ph: 1800 035 567
Visit the Portland Maritime Discovery Centre and inspect the Portland Lifeboat, sit inside the ribcage of a giant sperm whale skeleton and come face to face with a Great White Shark replica. Open 7 days 9am-5pm. Group tours available.
Portland Vintage Cable Tram - Ph 5523 2831
Take a scenic ride along the foreshore on the Portland Cable Tram. The tram links five of Portland’s most popular attractions including the Powerhouse Car Museum, the Tram Museum and Model Railway, Portland Botanical gardens (the second oldest gardens in Victoria), The Portland Maritime Discovery Centre and the WWII Museum & Lookout which is a memorial to the district’s service men and women.
Great South West Walk (GSWW)
The GSWW is a walking track which encompasses tranquil forests, majestic river gorges, high rugged cliff tops and sublime bays. Designed as a long walking track (250km) it is also ideal for short walks and day walks, and can be easily accessed from Portland, Nelson and a number of road crossings. The walk invites all ages, abilities and tastes. There are 17 sections of varying lengths, 16 campsites supplied with fresh water, wood barbeques, a cleared tents space and bush toilets. The walk begins and ends at the Portland Visitor Information centre.
Scenic Flights - Ph: 5526 5444
Whether by plane or helicopter seeing Portland and surrounds from the air is a must for any visitor. Helicopter flights can be tailored to the needs of the visitor while plane flights allow visitors to view the rare Blue Whale during summer months and Southern Right Whales in the winter.
Cape Bridgewater
Home to so many of our natural attractions, Cape Bridgewater is compulsory for any travel itinerary. The beach was listed as the third best beach in Victoria by the Herald Sun.
The Petrified Forest is a geologist’s marvel, once a forest of Moonah Trees, which a sand dune blew over the top of. Salt water seeping through the sand formed a sandstone crust around the tree’s which in turn rotted away inside leaving a hollow crust.
The Bridgewater Lakes are a Mecca for water sports, fishing, swimming and water skiing can be enjoyed here.
Fur Seals - Ph 5526 7247
Up to 650 Australian Fur Seals have made the rocky crags of Cape Bridgewater their home. Visitors may enjoy a boat cruise to the colony or experience the two hour return walk to the viewing platform above.
The boat cruise allows visitors to get up close and personal with seals as they play in the waves. Experienced guides also speak about Cape Bridgewater when it was a volcano.
Glenelg River
Beginning high in the Grampians, the Glenelg River winds its way southward to the sea at Nelson, passing through Casterton and Dartmoor. The river abounds with recreational water activities including swimming, fishing, water skiing, boating, river cruises, canoeing, river side hiking and much more. River landings placed along the river give easy access to the river and river side camping.
How to get there
Portland is 362 kilometres west of Melbourne. Travel by car via the Great Ocean Road, Princes or Henty Highways. Daily rail and coach services are available from Melbourne. Daily air flights are available from Melbourne Airport.
For further information about Portland go to www.visitvictoria.com/greatoceanroad
For more information about the upcoming Portland Bay Festival, contact the Portland Visitor Information Centre on 1800 035 567.