Top 15 Activities and Attractions in Portland, Australia

Victoria’s first permanent European settlement is located in the southwest of the state and can trace its origins back to pioneer Edward Henty.

Appropriately for its historical significance, Portland features numerous distinguished bluestone buildings, and visitors can traverse the city via a vintage cable tram.

Portland’s coastline is integral to the city’s allure, boasting some of Victoria’s tallest coastal cliffs, untamed beaches, and waters teeming with remarkable marine life.

Both blue whales and southern right whales visit the waters off Portland’s coast, while mainland Australia’s only gannet colony is situated mere minutes away from the city.

1. Portland Cable Trams

Many destinations on this list are accessible via a cable tram network that may not be as antiquated as it appears.

The 3.7-kilometre line, extending from Henty Park to the World War II Memorial Lookout, not only serves as a tourism initiative but also appeals to rail heritage enthusiasts who volunteer to operate the line.

The network was initiated in 1996 and became operational in 2002, utilizing restored or replica tram cars powered by diesel engines.

Utilize this service to travel from one point of interest to another, while enjoying ocean vistas as the trams navigate Portland’s elevated foreshore.

2. Portland Powerhouse Motor and Car Museum

This transportation museum is situated within Portland’s 1930s powerhouse, conveniently located along the tram route.

With an impressive collection, the Powerhouse Motor and Car Museum is renowned for its selection of vintage, classic, and veteran automobiles from esteemed manufacturers such as Dodge, Riley, Austin, Pontiac, Ford, and Studebaker.

Noteworthy models include a compact 1960 Messerschmitt KR200, a 1919 Overland Roadster Model 4, and a 1927 Essex.

The collection also encompasses tractors, a penny farthing, a 1920s cable tram, and stationary engines, while memorabilia such as vintage signs and petrol pumps enhance the museum’s atmosphere.

3. Portland Botanical Gardens

Portland is home to the oldest botanical gardens in Australia and the second-oldest in Victoria.

Designed in the 1850s by William Allitt, the gardens occupy a site bordered by Salt Creek and have retained their original layout.

As it was 170 years ago, the gardens display an impressive variety of species that thrive in southwest Victoria’s temperate climate.

Visitors can appreciate remarkable specimens of cabbage palm, Rhus Viminalis, and Caracus wigandia, along with 180 varieties of dahlias (blooming from February to late April), more than 300 rose varieties, and a vibrant array of annuals.

In this well-kept setting, it is no surprise to discover a croquet lawn and tennis courts, complemented by amenities such as public restrooms, barbecue facilities, and picnic tables.

4. Cape Nelson Lighthouse

Standing at ten meters in height, the lighthouse set amidst rugged heathland atop Cape Nelson was completed in 1884. At the time, a project of this magnitude was a substantial endeavor, necessitating transportation of materials from a quarry located 11 kilometers away via Portland.

The lantern has utilized electric power since the 1930s, and the last lighthouse keeper vacated the premises in the 1990s.

Today, the keeper’s quarters are available as holiday accommodation, and the site’s integrity is preserved by a 1.75-meter high stone wall designed to shield from strong winds.

For more information about the twice-daily tours, inquire at the Portland Visitor Information Centre, where a modest cafe serves breakfast and lunch.

5. Cape Nelson State Park

Dedicate some time to exploring the 243-hectare state park, which encompasses a dramatic coastline and a significant portion of the cape’s interior.

The primary habitats within the park include heath, wet heath, and soap mallee, supporting a variety of wildlife such as echidnas and red-necked wallabies.

Besides the lighthouse, a notable feature of the park is the three-kilometer walking trail along the cliff-tops, offering mesmerizing ocean views.

Southern right whales and blue whales can often be sighted from the cliffs during the winter and summer months.

6. Portland Maritime Discovery Centre

As the site of Victoria’s inaugural commercial port and a historic center for the whaling industry, Portland holds a unique maritime heritage.

Established in 1998, the city’s visitor information center integrates a maritime museum, allowing visitors to obtain travel advice while enjoying the exhibits.

Exhibits include the 14-meter skeleton of a sperm whale, artifacts from Portland’s whaling and sealing era, and a captivating display dedicated to the sinking of the SS Admella in 1859, considered one of Australia’s most significant maritime disasters.

The museum’s centerpiece is a lifeboat from 1858, recognized as one of the oldest wooden vessels in Australia and crucial in the rescue operations following the Admella wreck.

7. Great South West Walk

The Portland Maritime Discovery Centre serves as both the starting point and termination of a 250-kilometer walking trail showcasing the breathtaking beauty of Victoria’s southwest coast.

This route encompasses several attractions listed here, along with dramatic cliffs, expansive sandy bays, ancient lakes, protected coastal forests, and the magnificent limestone gorge of the Glenelg River.

The Great South West Walk meanders through three national parks, Discovery Bay Coastal Park, and Cape Nelson State Park.

For those preferring to hike one of the 15 designated sections (each equipped with a campsite), access to trailheads is readily available without the need for extensive driving.

During your excursions, you may encounter koalas, kangaroos, an assortment of seabirds, and possibly whales, depending on the season.

8. Whale Watching

If the whale flag is flying at the Maritime Discovery Centre, it indicates the presence of whales in the local waters.

The southern right whale migrates north from Antarctica to this region each year from May to October for mating and calving.

This species is notable for the white bumps adorning the top and sides of its head.

During the summer months, a natural phenomenon known as the Bonney Upwelling causes a significant influx of krill to the coastline near Portland, attracting the world’s largest animal, the blue whale, close to the shore.

Approximately 100 blue whales make this journey each year from November to May and can be observed from numerous viewing points, particularly at elevated locations such as Cape Nelson and Cape Bridgewater.

9. Walk Portland’s Pride

Given that Portland is Victoria’s oldest European settlement, it is unsurprising that it features a wealth of historic structures.

For further details, consult the Glenelg Shire website or visit the Visitor Information Centre, where you can obtain a brochure for a walking tour highlighting the principal landmarks.

This route will guide you past an array of bluestone buildings dating back to the 19th century.

Key sites include the Court House (1845), which continues to serve its original purpose; Mac’s Hotel (1856); the Old Post Office (1883); and the Town Hall (1863), which houses a modest social history exhibit, alongside the Steam Packet Inn built in 1842 from Tasmanian timber.

10. Nuns Beach

Adjacent to the harbor’s Lee Breakwater, Nuns Beach spans 300 meters, oriented eastward and gently sloping into Portland Bay.

Characterized by mild surf, Nuns Beach is an ideal location for a leisurely paddle or swim.

Rising behind the beach are high cliffs, providing a picturesque viewpoint for observing the harbor and its large bulk carriers.

The city has established a walking trail from the Lee Breakwater that guides visitors along the beach and up the winding stairs to return via the cliff-top.

At this elevation, look for Whalers Point to view the lighthouse, constructed in 1859 and relocated stone by stone to this site in 1889.

11. Point Danger Gannet Colony

The only gannet colony located on Australia’s mainland occupies this headland, situated just six kilometers south of Portland.

These Australasian gannets have inhabited the area since the mid-1990s, with efforts implemented to maintain the colony by restricting human access and employing Maremma sheepdogs to deter predators such as foxes and feral cats.

A designated viewing platform, equipped with interpretive information, allows for observation, with options to consult an expert volunteer through the Portland Visitor Information Centre.

This colony consists of approximately 300 pairs, serving as overflow from a larger colony of around 6,000 pairs located nearby on Lawrence Rocks.

With any luck, observers may witness these seabirds diving for pilchards, reaching speeds of up to 100 km/h, while nesting and raising their young from July to April.

12. World War II Memorial Lookout

Positioned above Nuns Beach, this former water tower was converted into a lookout in the 1990s.

The 25-meter tall structure, constructed in the 1930s, was originally designed to provide a reliable water supply for an expanding town.

By the 1980s, the tower had become obsolete and visually unappealing until it was restored in the mid-1990s as a tribute to Portland residents who served in World War II.

The first floor features a well-curated museum replete with information, photographs, and memorabilia.

Proceed to the observation platform for expansive views of Cape Nelson and Cape Bridgewater to the south, as well as the peaks of Mount Napier, Mount Richmond, and further inland.

13. Cable Tram Museum and Depot

A wonderful way to commence or conclude your tram experience in Portland is at the depot in Henty Park.

This attraction comprises a diverse assortment of exhibits, primarily focused on transportation.

There are meticulously crafted model railway displays and a horse-drawn carriage from 1880, previously belonging to pioneer Edward Henty.

Additionally, visitors will encounter a dazzling array of classic cars, each presented in immaculate condition, along with what is claimed to be the largest private gemstone collection in the Southern Hemisphere.

Visitors can enjoy a hot beverage and browse the gift shop for unique souvenirs.

14. Cape Bridgewater

Continuing past Cape Nelson, one arrives at the stunning and windswept Bridgewater Bay.

This four-kilometer beach is flanked by steep inclines and includes picnic areas, a beachside café, and a surf lifesaving club that patrols during weekends and holidays from December to Easter.

Frequent visitors to this beach include seals and dolphins, while southern right whales often approach the shore in winter.

Cape Bridgewater, once a component of a volcanic rim, escalates to an elevation of 130 meters at its furthest point and features the tallest cliffs along the Victorian coastline.

A little further north lies the Petrified Forest, which showcases trunk-like formations known as limestone “solution pipes,” hollowed out over millennia due to rainfall.

15. Portland Strawberries

This family-owned farm has been cultivating strawberries for over 20 years, specializing in exceptionally flavorful strawberries.

Portland Strawberries produces fruit year-round, either in the open air during Daylight Savings or in hothouses during the off-season.

No detail concerning the growing or harvesting process is overlooked, from soil preparation to the application of natural fertilizers.

What sets this enterprise apart is that nearly all sales occur at the Farm Gate Shop, reflecting its esteemed reputation.

The shop offers fresh strawberries throughout the year, in addition to farm-produced strawberry jam, candies, ice cream, chocolates, and strawberry liqueur.