Portarlington

The seaside town of Portarlington is located on the north-eastern corner of the Bellarine Peninsula, 31 kilometres from the city of Geelong.

Portarlington is a popular holiday destination, offering sheltered swimming beaches and an attractive foreshore with BBQ and picnic areas, as well as a large camping area. Take a walk along Portarlington Pier which features a stunning mural by Wadawurrung artists that is 120 metres long and depicts their stories and cultural heritage. The pier leads onto a breakwater that surrounds the harbour, providing a great spot to watch the movements of boats and do some fishing. A ferry service operates from the pier, providing water transport to Docklands and Geelong.

The main commercial centre of Portarlington is on Newcombe Street and is dominated by the landmark Grand Hotel which was built in 1886. Parks and recreation reserves occupy the sloping foreshore between the shops on Newcombe Street and the beach, providing good views across the bay and towards the You Yangs mountain range north of Geelong.

Point Richards is located at the western end of Portarlington's coastline and includes a boat ramp which descends into a sheltered launching area. Overlooking the boat ramp area is Rotary Childrens Park and a miniature railway which operates at various times throughout the year.

A scenic tourist drive is along The Esplanade which is a coastal route of around 10 kilometres in length that runs alongside the foreshore between Portarlington and the neighbouring beach towns of Indented Head and St Leonards.