Hayley’s guidebook
City/town information
Portland is a city on the south west coast of Victoria, Australia. The site of Victoria’s first permanent European settlement, it has more than 200 19th century buildings, many made of bluestone. Discover the many attractions of Portland plus many eateries and shopping.
10 locals recommend
Portland
Portland is a city on the south west coast of Victoria, Australia. The site of Victoria’s first permanent European settlement, it has more than 200 19th century buildings, many made of bluestone. Discover the many attractions of Portland plus many eateries and shopping.
Shopping
5A Julia St
5A Julia Street[Fyfe & Co]
Women’s clothes, Gifts & Home decor shop
Food scene
81 Bentinck St
81 Bentinck Street[Groke]
Burgers, Craft beer, Cocktails, Wine, Small bites
Portland
[Twelvefold]
Specialising in high quality coffee and delicious treats.
Fresh vibrant food, outside and inside dining with a beautiful location including Portland bay views, a passionate cafe.
8 locals recommend
Bahloo
85 Cliff StreetFresh vibrant food, outside and inside dining with a beautiful location including Portland bay views, a passionate cafe.
Portland’s favourite and most popular bakery, serving naturally leavened sour dough bread and pastries.
the bakehouse
31 Percy StPortland’s favourite and most popular bakery, serving naturally leavened sour dough bread and pastries.
Portland’s favourite restaurant. Modern Australian cuisine served inside the historic old Portland post office.
11 locals recommend
Clock by the Bay
105 Cliff StPortland’s favourite restaurant. Modern Australian cuisine served inside the historic old Portland post office.
An old style beach kiosk turned cafe, serving modern Australian food.
12 locals recommend
Bridgewater Bay Cafe
1661 Bridgewater RdAn old style beach kiosk turned cafe, serving modern Australian food.
A boutique vineyard and cellar door located on the Great Ocean Road near Port Fairy, Wine tasting and great food.
10 locals recommend
Basalt Vineyard
1131 Princes HwyA boutique vineyard and cellar door located on the Great Ocean Road near Port Fairy, Wine tasting and great food.
Sightseeing
Narrawong Gallery and coffee shop
Panoramic views this gallery show cases some of Australia’s best realist animal and bird art by Brett Jarrett.
Bay of Whales Gallery
47 Liebelts RdNarrawong Gallery and coffee shop
Panoramic views this gallery show cases some of Australia’s best realist animal and bird art by Brett Jarrett.
A beautiful and magical place to have a picnic, wonder and relax. Connecting to the ‘fawthrop lagoon’ another popular scenic walking and running trail situated around a popular bird watching wetland.
6 locals recommend
Portland Botanical Gardens
Glenelg StreetA beautiful and magical place to have a picnic, wonder and relax. Connecting to the ‘fawthrop lagoon’ another popular scenic walking and running trail situated around a popular bird watching wetland.
You’ll experience a range of activities here, step inside the rib cage of a Sperm whale skeleton and unfold the history of Victoria’s birth place.
Portland Maritime Discovery Centre
98 Lee Breakwater RoadYou’ll experience a range of activities here, step inside the rib cage of a Sperm whale skeleton and unfold the history of Victoria’s birth place.
Lit in 1884 and still in operation today, the lighthouse offers spectacular views and features stunning tall white stone walls with a hint of romance of past nautical history. Whilst visiting the lighthouse drop in at the local cafe ‘Isabelles’s’ for delicious treats.
16 locals recommend
Cape Nelson Lighthouse
Cape Nelson RoadLit in 1884 and still in operation today, the lighthouse offers spectacular views and features stunning tall white stone walls with a hint of romance of past nautical history. Whilst visiting the lighthouse drop in at the local cafe ‘Isabelles’s’ for delicious treats.
A 7.4km route meandering along Portland’s spectacular foreshore, passing the maritime discovery centre, World War II memorial look out and botanic gardens.
7 locals recommend
Portland Cable Trams Depot Museum
2A Bentinck StA 7.4km route meandering along Portland’s spectacular foreshore, passing the maritime discovery centre, World War II memorial look out and botanic gardens.
This amazing walk winds around three National parks, hardwood forests, the beautiful Glenelg river and quaint township of Nelson. Explore aboriginal heritage sites, the wild Southern Ocean, vast sand dunes and beaches, rugged cliffs and fresh water lakes. Take diversity of natural fauna and flora including blue and southern right whales and a mainland fur seal colony.
11 locals recommend
Great South West Walk
This amazing walk winds around three National parks, hardwood forests, the beautiful Glenelg river and quaint township of Nelson. Explore aboriginal heritage sites, the wild Southern Ocean, vast sand dunes and beaches, rugged cliffs and fresh water lakes. Take diversity of natural fauna and flora including blue and southern right whales and a mainland fur seal colony.
Portland’s only PADI dive centre offering a full range of PADI diver courses and a select range of experiences.
Portland SCUBA
57A Bentinck StreetPortland’s only PADI dive centre offering a full range of PADI diver courses and a select range of experiences.
Portland
[Portland Fishing Charters]
Boat tour agency, Fishing charter
{Shelly Beach} Located on the Left hand side of the Bridgewater Road just before arriving to cape Bridgewater entrance. Follow a series of steps leading you down to a picturesque beach covered with shells
26 locals recommend
Cape Bridgewater
{Shelly Beach} Located on the Left hand side of the Bridgewater Road just before arriving to cape Bridgewater entrance. Follow a series of steps leading you down to a picturesque beach covered with shells
Neighbourhoods
[Fresh Water Springs]
From the Bow holes, red markers lead north from 2km past spectacular lookout points to a green marker which denotes the spot of the ‘watering place or ‘fresh water springs’.
26 locals recommend
Cape Bridgewater
[Fresh Water Springs]
From the Bow holes, red markers lead north from 2km past spectacular lookout points to a green marker which denotes the spot of the ‘watering place or ‘fresh water springs’.
[The Blow holes]
Formed mainly of basalt and scoria rock, these blow holes create spectacular spouts of sea spray during high seas, in the summer time keep an eye out for blue whale blow from the platform.
Blowholes Road
Blowholes Road[The Blow holes]
Formed mainly of basalt and scoria rock, these blow holes create spectacular spouts of sea spray during high seas, in the summer time keep an eye out for blue whale blow from the platform.
[The enchanted forest]
Dense, almost tropical vegetation creates a unique and enchanting canopy of moonshine trees, knotted and interlocking branches forming a tunnel over the path. With the 45 minute round trip leading to spectacular look outs of the ocean and cliff formations.
26 locals recommend
Cape Bridgewater
[The enchanted forest]
Dense, almost tropical vegetation creates a unique and enchanting canopy of moonshine trees, knotted and interlocking branches forming a tunnel over the path. With the 45 minute round trip leading to spectacular look outs of the ocean and cliff formations.
[Tarragal caves]
A steep 50 metre climb to a network of large lime stone caves and rock shelters overlooking Bridgewater lakes.
26 locals recommend
Cape Bridgewater
[Tarragal caves]
A steep 50 metre climb to a network of large lime stone caves and rock shelters overlooking Bridgewater lakes.
[The Petrified Forrest]
Wall amongst moon-like rock formations perched high on coastal cliffs.
26 locals recommend
Cape Bridgewater
[The Petrified Forrest]
Wall amongst moon-like rock formations perched high on coastal cliffs.
[Seals by Sea Tours]
Seals by sea tours is the only mainland breeding colony of seals in Australia. An extremely popular, fun, adventurous and educational experience suitable for all ages.
Also,
[Portland Harbour tours} a scenic tour company based in Portland, exclusive access to some of Portland’s fantastic industrial, natural and historic features.
26 locals recommend
Cape Bridgewater
[Seals by Sea Tours]
Seals by sea tours is the only mainland breeding colony of seals in Australia. An extremely popular, fun, adventurous and educational experience suitable for all ages.
Also,
[Portland Harbour tours} a scenic tour company based in Portland, exclusive access to some of Portland’s fantastic industrial, natural and historic features.
[Bridgewater Lakes]
Coastal lagoons separated from the sea by sand dunes, they are sheltered and well-suited to picnics, swimming, waterskiing, fishing, canoeing and boating.
Bridgewater Lakes Road
Bridgewater Lakes Road[Bridgewater Lakes]
Coastal lagoons separated from the sea by sand dunes, they are sheltered and well-suited to picnics, swimming, waterskiing, fishing, canoeing and boating.
Traveler advice
Book before you go
Conlan’s Wine Store
ARRIVAL BOX
If you’re travelling through Port Fairy on your way to your accommodation, pre organise through their website an arrival pack to pick up on the way that will allow you to settle into your stay with ease.
Make sure you pack an esky or cooler bag for transport of your items.
www.conlanswinestore.com.au
-catering boxes
Book before you go
Fen Food & Wine Store
Drop by Fen Food & Wine Store situated in Port Fairy, hosting Cheese, Wine, Charcuterie, Provisions, Hampers and Homewares you won’t be disappointed.
What to pack
Fishing equipment
If you’re an avid fisherman whether you prefer game fishing, river fishing, or surf fishing there are plenty of productive waters well stocked with salmon, king George whiting, snapper, mulligatawny, tuna and many more. Portland hosts many fishing charter options, visit Portland bait and tackle to enquire.
What to pack
Surf boards
Surfing in the Portland area from Bridgewater bay around to Narrawong beach offers a range of breaks and waves to suit all styles and abilities.