The best things to do in Portland, Victoria

The best things to do in Portland, Victoria, include the Portland Cable Trams, Maritime Discovery Centre and Point Danger Gannet Colony.

5 best things to do in Portland, Victoria

The best things to do in Portland, Victoria, are:

Discover a rich history at the Maritime Discovery Centre.
Ride the 3.7km cable tram to the World War II Memorial Lookout.
Swim at Nuns Beach.
See the only mainland Australiasian gannet colony at Point Danger.
Head round the coast to the Cape Nelson Lighthouse.

Where is Portland, Victoria?

Portland, Victoria, is the westernmost town on the Victorian coast. It’s well west of where the Great Ocean Road finishes in Warrnambool, though you may pass through on the coastal route from Melbourne to Adelaide.

Portland is the oldest European settlement in Victoria, and plays on its heritage. There are more than 200 buildings from the 19^th century in the town, most of them built from a distinctive bluestone.

7 fantastic Great Ocean Road experiences
1. Crowd-beating reverse direction tour. 2. Surfing lessons in Anglesea. 3. Split Point Lighthouse climb. 4. Shockwave Zip-Coaster. 5. Guided wildlife walk. 6. Budj Bim National Park tour. 7. Great Ocean Road by motorbike.

Things to do in Portland, Victoria: Powerhouse Museum and Maritime Discovery Centre

There are plenty of things to do in Portland, starting with a handful of museums. The Portland Powerhouse Motor and Car Museum is strictly for car enthusiasts but the Portland Maritime Discovery Centre is more interesting. This delves into Portland’s past as Victoria’s first port, and the seafarers who passed through.

Pick the right Great Ocean Road tour from Melbourne

For wildlife and nature focus: One day tour with koalas and guided forest walk.
To beat the crowds: Reverse direction Great Ocean Road day tour.
For adventure: Two day camping and surfing trip.
For backpackers: One day highlights tour aimed at younger travellers.
For exclusivity and flexibility: Private tour where you can pick the sights you want to see.
For an extended trip: Three day Melbourne to Adelaide tour.

What to do in Portland, Victoria: Portland Cable Trams

A 3.7km cable tram line runs along the coast from the Portland Powerhouse Motor and Car Museum to the World War II Memorial Lookout. The line and the trams look vintage, but the Portland Cable Tram only opened in 2002. Still, the day tickets make it a nice way to explore the town.

The Portland Cable Trams Depot has an eclectic museum inside, which skips from a model railway to a large gemstone collection.

Portland attractions: Point Danger Gannet Colony and Cape Nelson Lighthouse

The other best things to do in Portland, Victoria, tend to be outdoors. If it’s warm – and it isn’t always here – Nuns Beach is a relatively safe swimming beach. You can also go for an amble in the moderately pleasant Portland Botanic Gardens.

6km south of the town, you can see the only mainland colony of Australasian gannets. They hang out at Point Danger on the coast. Head further round the coast, and you’ll reach Cape Nelson, home of the majestic Cape Nelson Lighthouse.

Point Danger in Portland, Victoria. Photo courtesy of Visit Victoria.

Portland is also the best base for exploring the rest of the Victorian coast up towards the South Australian border. Highlights include the white sands of Discovery Bay and the huge cliffs of Cape Bridgewater.

Best Portland accommodation choices

The best places to stay in Portland, Victoria, are:

For a historic building: Quality Hotel Bentinck.
For high quality, well-equipped apartments: Quest Portland.
For a solid, cheap motel: Portland Retro Motel.
For balconies by the waterfront: Seascape accommodation.

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