Loading ...Founded in 1834 Portland is the oldest perment settlement in Victoria boosting many old bluestone bulidings and pubs and the deepest harbour between Adelaide and Melbourne with some of the best coast line found in Victoria. A place full of history and many places to explore, and great food to sample with local seafood and wine and the foreshore play ground that the whole family will enjoy.
Suggested by: Jason Peters
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Make sure you take some time to explore Portland and all her beautiful natural beauty. There’s so much to see and do - I came here to work and have fallen in love with it! Friendly folks, wonderful history, beautiful beaches, - it’s just bursting at the seams!
But you have to take some time to scratch the surface! It’s definately worth it!
For a real slice of Aussie Coastal life - check out Portland!
A fabulous destination for all. Such a pretty town. There’s so much to see and do. Rest assured the kids won’t have time to be bored. The beaches and seals are a must see, kids will love the beach walking distance from main street and the cable tram ride is a must for young and old alike. Well worth the effort to get there.
A great place to visit and an even better place to live and raise a family. Portland has it all natural beauty in abundance coupled with excellent infrastructure and facilities. Why go anywhere else?
A great place to visit and an even better place to live and raise a family. Portland has it all natural beauty in abundance coupled with excellent infrastructure and facilities. Why go anywhere else?
We love the range of things to do, swimming, fishing and utilizing the GSWW and of course the Gannets.
Portland is great cos Alvin from the GSWW said so
Portland, Victoria’s Birth Place! Growing up in the historic township of Port Fairy, I am well aware of the historic culture associated with small towns in Western Victoria. In 1999 I invested in a Portland Business and am proud to be a member of the Portland Community. During my time as a resident in this most picturesque town and it’s surrounds, I feel sincerely blessed to be living in God’s own Country! Portland is a wonderful place for young Families, middle age & older folk to live and visit. We have so much to offer from beautiful beaches, The Great South West Walk, Cape Nelson Light Station, Cape Bridgewater and even whales visit our harbor on a regular basis. Restaurants & cafes, Motels & B & B’s are scattered across this glorious coast line. Do yourself a favor and visit Portland!
Victoria’s Birthplace, Portland has it all. Picturesque untouched coastline, beatiful clean beaches, seals, whales, penguins, so much to explore. Certainly underestimated - you’ll be amazed at all Portland has to offer.
I came to Portland from Melbourne in December 2001 and am still here. The scenery, wildlife, beaches, hinterland and the historical bluestone buildings of Portland are fantastic. The Lake Condah area, where the fish traps and aboriginal dwellings are older than the pyramids are unbelievable. I’m lucky enough to work as a volunteer at the Maritime Discovery Museum and Visitor Imformation Centre and am one of the first to hear of any sightings of whales in the area. Some come into the harbour, in the last 12 months there has been over 70 sightings of whales in the area.
A walk linking Portland to Nelson via the forests and return via the coast was conceived 27 years ago by Sam Bruton and Bill Golding. During those 27 years hundreds of past and present local volunteers have worked tirelessly maintaining and improving this walking track for the enjoyment of the Glenelg shire community and for visitors.
What has inspired these volunteers in the main, is the natural beauty of Portland and its environs and the generous support of the local community and businesses.
So we urge you to come and see our picturesque city, set in one of the states most natural and beautiful settings and experience the natural wonders that await you whilst wandering along the track that we have prepared especially for people just like you.
Why would you want to live anywhere else. A great place to grow up and grow old! The coastline and beaches are second to none and the views are just breath taking.
Portland is the “jewel” - of the South West, the heart of the Green Triangle, central to Warrnambool, Hamilton and Mount Gambier. Rich with history, blessed with a full range of eating places, beaches, fishing and the picure postcard Cape Bridgewater. The Power House car museum is a winner as is our much loved cable tram. This ever green corner of Victoria offers a constant welcome and its churches provide an “instant” experience of community.
A great place to live,its got the best of both worlds, the beaches and picnic sites
and bush walks with bbq facilities all within a 20 minutes drive from town. lots of historic buildings etc to see.
Portland Cable Trams operates over a 7.1 kilometre track and is staffed by 60 passionate volunteers. It has been operating since 2002 and has carried over 76,000 passengers.
Portland Cable Trams operates a fully restored Grip Car Tram and Saloon Car based on the Cable Trams that ran in Melbourne from 1890 to 1940.
The Cable Tram takes passengers past a number of major tourist attractions and passes picturesque Portland Harbour Bay.
It runs 5 trips per day, seven days a week, 364 days a year and a round trip takes one hour to complete.
The tramway depot has a museum with vintage cars and carriges plus a model railway section and theatrette that featurea a movie on the Melbourne Cable Cars.
Untouched, authentic….a rare occurrence in Victoria when combined with beautiful coastlines. I recommend this town to anyone wanting to really get away from it all, but at the same time hope not too many will take the longish drive to go there.
A great place to visit and definately a great place to live with beaches for recreation swimming, surfing, & fishing - cliffs for climbing and exploring - a geologist dream place - forest to explore with varities of flora and fauna. All this can be seen on the Great South West Walk. 250 km of unspoilt nature!
Township offers much for visitors. Historic Bed & Breakfast establishments, evening entertainment at cafes, hotels & Portland Arts Centre. Variety of restaurantes, hotels & take away cafes. Portland Cable Tram to learn the history of the port and buildings along the route, The RSL War Memorial Tower & observation deck - 360 degree panoramic view of the area, the Powerhouse Motor Musuem, and outside Melbourne the oldest Botanical Gardens in Victoria with its Historical Cottage open to learn more of Portland’s History. This is only a little- Come and see it for yourself. A wonderful area inviting you to explore.
Combines history with natural beauty. Rugged coastlines and the superb Bridgewater and Discovery Bay’s. As the first permanent white settlement there is plenty to for those interested in our past. Add to that many varied walking tracks, swimming, fishing and boating, there is something for everyone. Portland has accomodation for all budgets and plenty of great eateries. How can you go wrong.
A great place for a family holiday. There’s heaps to do and it won’t cost you a cent. Great beaches, a skateboard park for the kids and an excellent aquatic centre. Use Portland as a base to explore nearby towns. You need to allow 4 - 5 days to explore this very beautiful part of Victoria’s coastline.
What a great place, its got the lot. A beach within 300metres of the CBD, surfing, fishing from the Lee breakwater, game fishing for shark and tuna, diving, yachting, a 24 hour volunteer coast guard and an operating deep sea port and fishing fleet. The hinterland has state forests and National Parks, areas that abundant wildlife such as koalas, kangaroos, emus and over 300 species of birds can be found. Other attractions include The Great South West Walk, Portland Cable Tram, Powerhouse Motor museum, RSL War Memorial and Observation Tower, mainland Gannet rookery and fur seal colony tours, Blue Whale tours, HeliExplore tours and much more. But don’t take my word for it, come and see for yourself.
I went to Portland for Xmas Holidays 2008, we fished, we went to the beach, we relaxed, we had loads of fun at the carnival. The town had a carming feeling about it, and it’s just what you need on holidays can’t wait to go back, Loved it.
A lovely old town with lots of history. The bluestone buildings and the coastline were spectacular. It was the jump off for a Great Ocean Drive Tour. A town that requires another longer visit.