Portarlington Mussel Festival

Portarlington Mussel Festival Summer Sailings

There are few better ways to celebrate a Victorian summer than fresh local seafood, live music and a day by the bay.

Each January, the seaside town of Portarlington comes alive for the annual Portarlington Mussel Festival, a celebration of one of the Bellarine Peninsula’s most famous local delicacies. Fresh mussels harvested from the waters just offshore take centre stage, served up alongside local wine, beer and produce in a festival atmosphere that attracts thousands of visitors.

But the mussels are only the beginning. With live entertainment throughout the day, cooking demonstrations, market stalls, art, kids’ activities and plenty to eat and drink, it’s an easy summer day out for food lovers, couples, groups of friends and families alike.

And from Melbourne, getting there can be part of the experience.

Leave the car at home and step aboard a Port Phillip Ferries service from Docklands, cruising across Port Phillip Bay before arriving at Portarlington Pier, right on the doorstep of the festival. There are no long drives, no searching for a car park and no lengthy walk from the outskirts of town. Simply step off the ferry and into the heart of the action.

For the 2027 festival, Port Phillip Ferries will offer three services from Docklands to Portarlington and three services home, giving visitors the flexibility to create their own perfect festival day.

Families with younger children can enjoy a shorter visit before cruising home. Food lovers can settle in for a leisurely half day of mussels, local produce and entertainment. Or make a full day of it, soak up the atmosphere and catch the final ferry back to Melbourne.

With comfortable indoor and outdoor seating, an onboard licensed café and spectacular views across the bay, the journey becomes part of the day out.

Come for the mussels, stay for the music and let the ferry take care of the rest.

Please Note When Booking

With a few different ferry times available, start by selecting your preferred departure from Docklands to Portarlington and add it to your cart. You’ll then be prompted to choose your return ferry, which will be added to the same booking. We recommend booking early to secure your preferred travel times, as all services sell out every year.

Ferry timetable on the day