Nearby Attractions

Portarlington - A brief history

The town of Portarlington was surveyed in 1850 and was originally named Drayton but was renamed in 1851 in honour of Lord Arlington.

The first European visitation of the Portarlington area dates to the 1800s with the most famous being Matthew who made camp at Indented Head, 6 km south-east of Portarlington.

The earliest European resident was the escaped convict William Buckley who was adopted by the local Aborigines who thought he was a reincarnation of a dead leader.

Early industries in Portarlington included a flour mill that was built in 1857 and a brick and tile works built in 1870, with fishing also being a important part of the area.

The first jetty to service the mill and fishing vessels was built in 1859. It was extended and later replaced in 1870 due to the increased workload of cargo that farmers choose to ship to Melbourne instead of using the poor conditions of the local roads.

in the late 1900s paddle steamers and other craft began bringing Melbournian holiday-makers to the region. Buildings like the Grand Hotel in Newcombe St and the rotunda opposite are a reminder of that time.

Did you know?

The restored rotunda which is located just down from the hotel was a popular meeting place during the steamship days of the late 19th century.

Quick facts

* Population approximately 2,400
* 104 kilometres south of Melbourne.
* Resort town on the northern tip of the peninsula overlooking Port Phillip Bay

Portarlington is superbly placed on the peninsula to provide sweeping of Melbourne's skyline and the You Yangs. The local pier and marina provide shelter to fishing and sailing vessels and great local mussels can be bought cheaply most weekends of the year.

Portarlington has been a holiday resort for more than 100 years, with thousands of Melburnian holidaymakers taking the one-hour trip on a steamer from Williamstown in the nineteenth century. Discover the local history at buildings such as the Portarlington Mill, built in 1857, and the Grand Hotel, built in 1886, or relax on the beautiful foreshore and enjoy fishing, boating and swimming.

Activities and attractions

* Feast on freshly harvested mussels from the pier
* Visit the historic National Trust flour mill built of local stone in 1857
* Enjoy a picnic on the foreshore reserve and take in the sweeping views of Melbourne's skyline and the You Yangs
* Taste fine wines at one of many nearby wineries such as Scotchmans Hill, Bellarine Estate and Spray Farm
* Enjoy fine cuisine at the diverse cafes and restaurants.

Events

* Bellarine Agricultural Show - March
* National Celtic Folk Festival - June