All Points of Interest in Portarlington

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…

“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…

The first school in Portarlington opened on 20th October 1873 in the ‘Wesleyan Church‘ – with 73 pupils under Mr. Thomas Brown. Following a disparity with the church authorities in 1876, the school moved to the Temperance Hall. A new building was approved in 1878, with the site set north of Newcombe Street, being a portion of ‘Section 26, Township of 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…

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…

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…

An enormous car park facilitates the many recreational activities and facilities available at this locale.  The ‘Portarlington Recreation Reserve‘, which is located at the northern-most point of the Bellarine Peninsula in Victoria, lies on the shores of Port Phillip Bay, where all manner of water sports, land activities and picnic facilities are available for all those that visit. There are parking Read more…

Public Toilets are located adjacent to the car park sited just to the east of Portarlington’s Historic Pier precinct.  They are perfectly positioned to service those enjoying the beach, park lands, pier, safe harbour or the stunning foreshore Walking / Cycling Trail that meanders its way through this locale . . . Facilities at this locale include:  Public Toilets, Picnic Tables, Barbecues, Car Park, and rubbish bins. Helpful Hints: Read more…

Longitude:  144.653426     Latitude:  -38.115135 Metres above Sea Level:  22 m  Area:  39.5 km²     Perimeter:  28.4 km View Portarlington’s  Statistics & Demographics . The beautiful and historic seaside village of Portarlington is the northern-most town of the Bellarine Peninsula in Victoria.  Though it is only 42 km across Port Phillip Bay from Melbourne, it is approximately a hundred 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…

The ‘Steeles Rock’ swimming cove and jetty is located some 1.5 km east of the centre of the seaside village of Portarlington.  The beautiful little cove is relatively shallow and therefore perfect for children and adults alike, to enjoy.  The crystal clear waters abutting a sandy beach – with jetty, public toilets and rubbish bins provided – make for the perfect Read more…

Public Toilets are conveniently located for beach, boat, cyclists and walkers to use.  They can be found on the Service Road, just north of The Esplanade, at the end of Fairfax Street, in Portarlington, Victoria. A beautiful beach, jetty and boat ramp are also located at ‘Steeles Rock’. Helpful Hints: – Car Parking available adjacent to the Jetty – Close proximity to Town Centre Read more…

Located in the heart of town, a couple of reminders of Portarlington’s early history and importance as a major port and a centre for commerce for the region remain. The impressive Weighbridge was constructed in 1891 to facilitate the transport of produce from the region’s farming industries to Melbourne and beyond.  It is sited high on the hill in line with, and Read more…

Located some 3 km from the centre of the township of Portarlington in Victoria, this assembly of weatherboard buildings comprises stables, outbuildings, house and cheese factory – sadly now in a ruinous condition . . . However, some evidence demonstrating the various stages of development of the property and the additions to the buildings over the years, still remain. The main house features 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…

Portarlington’s Historic Cemetery sits on the slopes of a rise, south-west of the township of Portarlington in Victoria.  Many of the oldest graves sit at the highest point, overlooking Port Phillip Bay.  As one browses through this remarkable insight into the very first origins of this region, it becomes more and more apparent that many of the street names of the Read more…

One of the earliest recorded settlers in the Portarlington area was Henry Bynton (or Baynton), a butcher, who had moved from Hobart, Tasmania to Geelong c 1839.  He also set up a station or run in Portarlington from where he operated a cattle shipping service between Portarlington and Van Diemen’s Land (now known as Tasmania). Reference to Bynton is also found on the map below, c 1840: Enlarged Read more…

Set within the magnificent ‘Portarlington Recreation Reserve‘, a pavilion housing a barbecue and picnic table directly overlooks the tracks of the infamous Portarlington Bayside Miniature Railway – a wonderful delight for children and adults alike – as well as a colourful playground – just perfect for the children as they await their barbecued sausages. Further picnic tables, which also enjoy, and overlook, the Read more…

The ‘Steeles Rock’ swimming cove is located some 1.5 km east of the centre of the seaside village of Portarlington, on the shores of Port Phillip Bay in Victoria. Steeles Rock, Portarlington – Courtesy VRO – Diagram 19 This beautiful little cove is relatively shallow and therefore perfect for children and adults alike, to enjoy. The crystal clear waters abutting the sandy Read more…