Portland is located on the far south-west coast of Victoria, mid-way between Port Fairy and the small town of Nelson which is adjacent to the state border with South Australia.
Portland was the site of Victoria's first permanent settlement back in 1834, with the town quickly prospering due to fishing, pastoral and agricultural industries. Portland is the only deep-water sea port between Adelaide and Melbourne, making it a major centre for sea transport of goods and produce from the surrounding areas. A large sheltered harbour provides calm waters for a marina, wharves and shipping berths.
Portland is a place of historic discovery with over 200 buildings within the town classified by the National Trust, many of which are constructed out of bluestone.
Delve into history and get back to nature in this thriving city by the sea. Wander streets dotted with beautifully maintained heritage buildings and dine on great pub fare while overlooking the harbour. Head out into the blue to catch the perfect wave or a tuna or two.
Days of Old
Take the Portland self-guided Historical Buildings Walk for a closer look at the city's hundreds of heritage buildings. Portland became Victoria's first permanent European settlement in 1834 and boasts more than 200 buildings of historic significance.
Find yourself holiday house in Portland on Search and Stay to give you plenty of time Visit the Maritime Discovery Centre for an insight into Portland's long seafaring history and then climb aboard the Portland Cable Tram and roll on through the Botanic Gardens, the Powerhouse Vintage Car Museum, WWII Memorial Lookout Tower and the Cable Tram Museum.
Whales and Furry Seals
Visit between June and August and whale watching is at it's peak. It is time to book your holiday house in Portland on Search and Stay for a chance to get within just metres of a mighty southern right whale. Watch from the port, head out into the harbour, or make your way out west to Cape Bridgewater to see these giants of the sea on their annual migration through the Southern Ocean.
While out on Cape Bridgewater, be sure to check out the colony of Australian fur seals, which number more than 600.
Peer out from Port of Portland where the whales often come to play within metres of the Lee Breakwater. For a glimpse of the blue whales that come in to feed on the local krill from November to May, head to Cape Nelson or back up to Cape Bridgewater.
Waterfront activity
Portland's waterfront is alive with activity – see big ships from around the world come in to load up local produce and the local fishing fleet unload its catch. Take a ride on the foreshore cable tram, spot seals at Cape Bridgewater and watch blue whales off Cape Nelson.
If you're a fisherman, find your holiday rental on Search and Stay for stay for a while, Portland is an angler's paradise. From a boat or the beach, there's an extensive range of fish to be hooked, including King George whiting, flathead, snapper, tuna and mulloway.
While locals may want to keep it quiet, Portland also has some of the best surf this side of Bells Beach.
Walk this way
See some of the highest coastal cliffs in Victoria overlooking the deep-blue waters of Bridgewater Bay, where the coastline follows the rim of a huge, ancient volcano crater. Discover more natural landmarks and native flora and fauna along the Great South West Walk.
