Fringed by sandy beaches, Portarlington is a historic coastal township on Victoria's Bellarine Peninsula. It's a firm favourite with local families, with a grassy foreshore, a historic town centre and plenty of scenic coastal driving routes.
Things to do in Portarlington
In the summer, Portarlington lures beachgoers in with its sheltered swimming beach and turquoise water. The bustling foreshore features a fishing pier, grassy picnic areas and plenty of barbecues. On a clear day, you can see all the way across Port Phillip Bay to Flinders Peak and the You Yangs Range, and if you're lucky, you can also spot bottlenose dolphins or Australian fur seals frolicking offshore.
Portarlington is anchored by a characterful town centre, with Newcombe Street serving as the main thoroughfare. The street is dominated by the landmark Grand Hotel, a magnificent building raised in 1886. Today there's no better place to enjoy a pint of ice-cold VB.
Built in 1857, the steam-powered Portarlington Mill is a feat of engineering. Today the honey-hued sandstone building houses a mini-museum showcasing artefacts and memorabilia from across the Bellarine Peninsula.
Looking for a road trip? The Esplanade scenic drive showcases 10 kilometres of gorgeous coastal scenery. It runs to the neighbouring beach towns of Indented Head and St Leonards, where you'll find a cluster of quaint cafes, gift boutiques and farm-to-table restaurants.
Getting around Portarlington
Portarlington is 30 kilometres from the city of Geelong, with the drive taking around 30 minutes. Local buses also make the trip in around 45 minutes. If you're travelling from Melbourne allow at least 1.5 hours of driving time. Avalon is the closest aviation hub, while Melbourne Airport offers more choice when it comes to regional and international flights.