All Points of Interest in Portarlington

The ‘J Henderson Reserve’ is a beautiful area that stretches from Portarlington’s historic pier, westward, along the stunning foreshore of Port Phillip Bay.  The reserve is characterised by the mature Cypress trees that line the laneway and provide welcome shade and shelter from the hot Summer sun.  The large open lawn area is perfect for that game of footy or cricket with family and friends – Read more…

The main beach in Portarlington in Victoria, bestows an expanse of sandy beaches stretching some 2 km to the westward from the Portarlington Pier to the Boat Ramp at the ‘Portarlington Recreation Reserve‘.  Picnic tables are along dispersed along the entire length of this foreshore capitalising on the stunning views across to the You Yangs, Melbourne, and the bayside suburbs of Melbourne . . Read more…

Little Reserve is located in the heart of the seaside village of Portarlington, overlooking the magnificent Port Phillip Bay – all the way across to Melbourne !!!  The views are enormous – the entire coastline from south of the You Yangs to Frankston – the lights at night are breathtaking . . . The park can be accessed via Newcombe Street, Pier Read more…

Both sheltered and unsheltered picnic tables are dispersed all around the north-western section of the stunning ‘Portarlington Recreation Reserve‘, which is located at the northern-most point of the Bellarine Peninsula in Victoria.  Abutting Port Phillip Bay, the infamous Portarlington Bayside Miniature Railway, boat ramps, walking trails, beaches, massive lawn areas, and nature reserve – there are just so many activities to keep all ages entertained . Read more…

Numerous picnic tables are dispersed along the entire stretch of beach – for a distance of some 1.5 km westward from Portarlington’s Pier to the boat ramp and jetty located within the tourist park.  They all relish uninterrupted views of Port Phillip Bay, incorporating the You Yangs, Melbourne, the bayside suburbs that line the shores of the bay, and, the mountains in the Read more…

“Hat Rock” was a significant landmark to the very first explorers of Port Phillip Bay. Matthew Flinders’ first named and identified “Hat Rock” on his Map of Port Phillip Bay in 1802.   Extract – Matthew Flinders Map of 1802 It is a rocky outcrop that can best be described as the highest, most northerly point of the Bellarine Peninsula.  It also forms Read more…

Both sheltered and unsheltered picnic tables are conveniently dispersed throughout Little Reserve, which is located in the heart of the seaside village of Portarlington. Portarlington’s shopping precinct, which includes a variety of eateries, is located across Newcombe Street.  Other facilities at Little Reserve include BBQ’s, public toilets, seating, skate park and a playground for the children . . . Helpful Hints: – Car Parking available Read more…

Historic ‘Laura Villa’ is located in the heart of the seaside village of Portarlington, Victoria.  It is estimated her date of build is in the mid 1800’s due to the presence of hand-made brick foundations upon which the wooden structure rests, combined with the history of brick making within the town.  The Victorian Rustic Gothic design is also unique to Read more…

Located within the historic ‘Point Richards’ precinct of Portarlington – on the northern-most tip of the Bellarine Peninsula in Victoria, the ‘Portarlington Recreation Reserve’ encompasses some 340 acres of the Port Phillip Bay foreshore !! This massive area includes expansive open spaces, walking trails, cycling trails, wetlands, conservation areas, sporting grounds including football & cricket fields, netball & basketball courts, an enormous Caravan Read more…

Accessible directly across the road from Portarlington’s main shopping precinct, a beautiful information gazebo is located on the edge of Little Reserve. With a backdrop of a large and beautiful park overlooking Port Phillip Bay, Little Reserve provides many amenities such as sheltered barbeques, sheltered and unsheltered picnic tables, public toilets, rubbish bins, extra seating, skate park and a playground for the children . Read more…

The seaside village of Portarlington in Victoria presents as a beautiful, historical township that enjoys expansive views of parks, gardens and the magnificent Port Phillip Bay – from almost all standpoints. The main shopping precinct is located along Newcombe Street, between High and Brown Streets.  There are a number of smaller shopping areas located at various locales about town. Cafes, restaurants, specialty shops, Read more…

The War Memorial is located towards the west end of Little Reserve – within the heart of the seaside village of Portarlington. Surrounded by expansive lawn areas, the stunning backdrop of the shimmering waters of Port Phillip Bay, and seating surrounding the memorial – it bestows an honourable monument to all those who have sacrificed so much . . . Helpful Hints: – Car Read more…

Though details of the evolution of Portarlington’s original St Patrick’s Catholic Church building are elusive, it would appear that the original structure was completed c 1895.  It seems that a Catholic School had been running in the town since the 1860’s – rumoured to have been held in the historic ‘Calhoun’s Family Hotel‘ – and Mass may have been held there too or perhaps in a rented Read more…

Little Reserve can be accessed via Newcombe Street, Pier Street, The Esplanade and Fisher Street.  This toilet block is located on The Esplanade aspect of the park providing for easy access from users of the walking / cycling trail, Portarlington’s shopping precinct is located just across Newcombe Street from Little Reserve, and the beach is located in the opposite direction – Read more…

Once located just a few doors down from Portarlington’s historic ‘Calhoun’s Family Hotel’, is the site that once housed J Hartley’s ‘Bay View Hotel’. . . Details are elusive as to when the hotel was built (estimated in the late 1850’s), how long it traded and when it was demolished. Today the site presents as a vacant piece of land . . . Read more…

St John’s Anglican Church located in Portarlington, Victoria, was designed in the Victorian Gothic style by Melbourne architects Terry and Oakden.  Following the donation of a half acre block of land, situated on a corner site, by James Austin, the brick building was commissioned and constructed by local builders Treven and Gubby.  The foundation stone was laid on the 17th September 1883. The building Read more…

Set within the magnificent ‘Portarlington Recreation Reserve‘, these sheltered barbecues are accompanied by picnic tables which all enjoy and overlook the expansive vistas of the Reserve, the You Yangs and Port Phillip Bay.  These facilities are directly adjacent to the infamous Portarlington Bayside Miniature Railway – a wonderful delight for children and adults alike.  Expansive lawn areas are perfect for that game of Read more…