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A Day Trippers Guide to Portarlington

Portarlington

Escape to Portarlington for the day.  A day of fresh sea air, wide open spaces and friendly faces does wonder!  While you are there, be sure to check out these superb seaside suggestions…

The beautiful bayside of Portarlington is nestled away on the Bellarine, surrounded by stunning coastlines and scenic settings.  Discover it all at the slow and steady pace of a wandering walk…

Starting at the ferry dock, set off on The Ramblers Walk, a moderate level and easy-going walk that offers spectacular panoramic views of the You Yangs, Melbourne City Skyline and Portarlington’s famed and fabulous foreshore.

Spot and sight heritage homes, surviving mills and grand hotels on the Portarlington History Walk, an all-abilities walk that takes you on a journey past 22 points of historical significance.  A copy of the Portarlington History Walk can be found here.

 

📷 credit @patmichael (via Insta)

 

Park and play at the redeveloped Portarlington park.  This wooden wonderland perfectly blends into its seaside environment with an abundance of nature-based and imagery play opportunities, along with more (and much-loved) traditional play equipment.  Park features include a dry creek bed, water play, ropes course, swings, slides, trampoline, water play, flying fox, balancing logs and so much more.

 

📷 credit @lunamarina10 (via Insta)

A visit to the charming Portarlington Grand Hotel is a must, be it for lunch, or a quiet beverage or two. The magnificent and historical Portarlington Grand Hotel has stood tall in the main street since 1888, and after a magnificent renovation recently it

Only a short walk away from where the ferry docks, look up the hill towards the hotel turret which will lead you to our oasis. Before or after your lunch at the hotel, schedule a walk down the main street of Portarlington to visit the beautiful boutiques and local shops.

a group of people sitting at a table eating food

Our fabulous friends at The Little Mussel Café are open and ready to serve you up scrumptious and succulent mussel dishes.  Curry, chowder, natural, Kilpatrick, smoked – whatever way you have them, they are freshest of fresh mussels, plucked directly from their farm and placed onto your plate.  Now located in the main street, these moreish morsels are a mere walk away from the ferry terminal.

 

📷 credit @littlemusselcafe (via Insta)

 

Be sure to save some room for dessert!  Portarlington has quite the reputation for a swag of sensational sweets. Both Daniels Donuts and Portarlington Bakehouse are open and located on the main street. Dan, Dan the donut man has hundreds and hundreds of donuts lining the display cabinetry. Decide your flavour and devour it immediately!  And Portarlington Bakehouse has a plethora of freshly baked pastries, slices, tarts and so much more waiting to tempt you.

 

📷 credit @danielsdonutsportarlington (via Insta)

 

Or if you just want to chill and take it easy, why not just cast your line off the pier into the wonderful waters of Portarlington. Portarlington is an area known for snapper, mullet, garfish and whiting.  Throwing a line off the pier has been recognised to render good results, as has fishing off Steele’s Rocks (just slightly right of the pier). Even though restrictions have eased in regard to fishing, it is still a requirement for all adults to have their fishing licence (children aged under 18 do not require a fishing license).

Plan your Portarlington escape today and book your Port Phillip Ferries tickets.  Tickets must be purchased online.