Barefoot Bowls by the Bay in Portarlington

Barefoot Bowls by the Bay

Available Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays

Looking for a group day out with a difference? Leave Melbourne behind and head across the bay for a day of great food, a little friendly competition and one of the most spectacular barefoot bowls settings you’ll find.

Cruise from Docklands to Portarlington, enjoy a two-course lunch at the historic Portarlington Grand Hotel, then wander down to Portarlington Bowls Club for an afternoon of barefoot bowls right on the foreshore. With the sea breeze, beachfront views and Port Phillip Bay stretching out in front of you, this isn’t your average afternoon at the bowls club.

Perfect for social groups, corporate team days, Christmas parties, birthdays, clubs or simply getting a group of friends together for a great day out.

Your Day Begins on the Bay

Forget organising buses and sitting in traffic. Your day starts the moment you step aboard Port Phillip Ferries at Docklands. Grab a coffee or a drink from the onboard café, find a seat inside or out on deck and enjoy the cruise across Port Phillip Bay to the seaside town of Portarlington.

It’s an easy and relaxed way to get the whole group together, with the journey becoming part of the day rather than simply the transport.

Lunch at the Portarlington Grand Hotel

Once you arrive, take the short stroll into town for lunch at the beautifully restored Portarlington Grand Hotel.

Standing proudly in the heart of Portarlington since 1888, the Grand Hotel combines its historic character with contemporary style and is the perfect place to settle in for a relaxed two-course group lunch before the afternoon’s competition begins.

There’s also plenty of opportunity to enjoy a few drinks, catch up with the group or incorporate a presentation or team celebration into your day.

Barefoot Bowls With a View

Then it’s time to kick off the shoes and get competitive!

Set right on the Portarlington foreshore, Portarlington Bowls Club offers a barefoot bowls experience with a difference.

Split into teams, grab a bowl and enjoy some friendly competition while taking in the fresh sea air, beachfront setting and uninterrupted views across Port Phillip Bay.

You don’t need to be an experienced bowler. It’s relaxed, social and easy for everyone to get involved, which makes it ideal for groups with a mix of ages and abilities.

And for groups of 20 or more, the Bowls Club bar will be staffed, so you can enjoy a few drinks between ends at refreshingly reasonable Bowls Club prices while soaking up that incredible bay view.

Example itinerary:

• Docklands to Portarlington ferry at 9.30 am and arrive at 10.40 am
• Free time to explore the town or grab lunch. We recommend the Portarlington Grand Hotel
• Barefoot bowls at the Portarlington Bowls Club from 1.00 pm to 3.30 pm
• Board the Portarlington to Docklands ferry at 3.40 pm to depart at 4.00 pm
• Arrive in Docklands at 5.10 pm

To get the bowls rolling and make an enquiry, please fill out the form below and our customer service team will be in touch with all the details and availabilities.

Please Note: A minimum of 4 people is required for the Barefoot Bowls experience. Bookings require a minimum of 14 days’ notice, and cancellations within 10 days of travel are non-refundable and non-transferable. For groups of 20 or more, the Bowls Club bar will be staffed, with drinks available for purchase at reasonable Bowls Club prices.