Things to do in Portarlington, Victoria

The best things to do in Portarlington, Victoria, include strolling the pier and swimming at the family-friendly beach.

The best things to do in Portarlington, Victoria

Go swimming in the calm waters at Portarlington Beach.
Stroll along Portarlington Pier.
Taste wine at the Bellarine Peninsula wineries.

Where is Portarlington, Victoria?

Portarlington, Victoria, is unmistakably a holiday town. On the Bellarine Peninsula, and around 28km from Geelong, Portarlington is an easy seaside escape from Melbourne.

This is where the ferry from Melbourne to the Bellarine Peninsula arrives. And while some may use it as a launchpad for exploring the rest of the Bellarine, the temptation to just have a simple day by the seaside is pretty strong.

Things to do in Portarlington, Victoria: Portarlington Beach

Top of the list of things to do in Portarlington is, fairly obviously, spending some time on the beach. Is it the greatest beach in Australia? Of course not, but you’ll be hard-pushed to find one that’s more family-friendly. Portarlington Beach enjoys the calm waters of Port Phillip Bay and is laced by sandbars. They combine to make conditions perfects for kids and unsure swimmers.

The other unusual factor of Portarlington Beach is that it is north-facing – so you get good views of Melbourne and the You Yangs.

Things to do in Portarlington, Victoria: Portarlington Pier

The best views, though come from Portarlington Pier, which is L-shaped, and has bench seating at the end. Strolling the pier is perhaps the quintessential thing to do in Portarlington.

The other main attraction in Portarlington itself is Portarlington Mill, a four-storey stone mill that dates back to 1857. Run by the National Trust of Victoria, the interior was closed to visitors at time of writing.

Portarlington attractions: Bellarine wineries

There are, however, several Bellarine Peninsula wineries just outside Portarlington. Favourites with visitors include Terindah Estate, Jack Rabbit, Scotchmans Hill and Bennetts on Bellarine. All have cellar doors open for tastings.

For Portarlington accommodation, the most appealing place to stay in the town is the Oxley Estate. This bed and breakfast is close to the Portarlington Golf Club, has an outdoor pool and comes with kitchenettes in the rooms.

Portarlington Ferry from the beach — The Portarlington ferry, as seen from Portarlington beach on the Bellarine Peninsula. Photo courtesy of Visit Victoria.

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