What to do and see in Portland, Australia: The Best Places and Tips

January 10, 2018 Roger Rusk

Discover the best top things to do in Portland, Australia including Portland Cable Trams, Cape Nelson lighthouse, Seals by Sea Tours, Portland Visitor Information Centre, Great South West Walk, Portland Strawberries, World War II Memorial Lookout, Cape Nelson State Park, Whaler's Bluff Lighthouse, Portland Botanical Gardens.
Restaurants in Portland

1. Portland Cable Trams

Portland, Victoria 3305, Australia
Excellent
76%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 136 reviews

Portland Cable Trams

Portland's Cable Tram provides a 7.4km scenic ride along the picturesque Portland Bay foreshore, while also visiting many historic destinations and some of Portland's best tourist attractions along the way.

Reviewed By Loraine28 - Melbourne, Australia

Our grandchildren aged from 8 down to 2 really enjoyed the tram. It wasn't cheap but the return trip took over an hour.

2. Cape Nelson lighthouse

Point Nelson | 13km from Portland, Portland, Victoria, Australia 55222200
Excellent
50%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 222 reviews

Cape Nelson lighthouse

Located only ten minutes from Portland upon the rugged cliffs of Cape Nelson, the Cape Nelson Lighthouse precinct comprises the 35 meter tall lighthouse, the cosy Isabella's cafe, and two exquisitely renovated assistant lighthouse keeper's cottages available as accommodation.These historic buildings have been elegantly restored and now comprise two separate two-bedroom cottages.The cottages are ideal for a secluded couple's get away, families, or groups! The precinct is located within Cape Nelson State Park and is surrounded by spectacular views, excellent walking tracks, and tours of the historic lighthouse run daily.Isabella's cafe, located in the old stables, offers morning and afternoon tea and gourmet lunches daily.Each cottage includes two bedrooms with queen sized beds, a fully equipped kitchen, dining area and lounge room with TV, DVD and an open fire place. All properties include free Wi-Fi, reverse cycle air conditioning and breakfast of cereal, milk, eggs, bacon, toast and condiments, as well as tea and coffee. About the area:Cape Nelson is a well known whale spotting area - observe from the cliffs or climb to the top of the lighthouse to spot southern wright whales in the middle of the year and blue whales in summer months! Dolphins and seals are sometimes spotted in the water as well! As we are located on the Great South West Walk, we are surrounded by kilometers of walking tracks through bush, Beaches and cliffs. The area is rich in native wildlife, including kangaroos and wallabies, echidnas, koalas, and is close to Australia's only Mainland Gannet breeding colony. The Beaches around Portland are also well known for having great surf for all levels at any time of year, so make sure to bring boards and wetsuits!

Reviewed By Teresa N - Yarra Glen, Australia

If you enjoy Lighthouses as I do, then this is one to put on your list. Located only a short drive from Portland, passing a wind turbine farm before you reach the lighthouse. Our visit was over Christmas, so there were no tours of the lighthouse, which was a bit disappointing. The coast along this stretch is really rugged and windy. There is a short walking track which is fenced off from the cliff edges for safety reasons. After viewing the area, stop in the beautiful blue stone cottage for a coffee or a meal. If you want to stay overnight, there are two cottage on site.

3. Seals by Sea Tours

25 Peacocks Rd, Portland, Victoria 3305, Australia
Excellent
91%
Good
7%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 53 reviews

Seals by Sea Tours

Reviewed By cmrowlands7 - Bendigo, Australia

$40 for a 45 minute trip to see literally hundreds of seals, many close enough to touch (and smell). The operators are super friendly, knowledgeable and very accommodating. Was such a fantastic experience I'm already planning to do it again. Allow 20-25 minutes to walk along a beachside track to a small jetty where the tour leaves from. The short walk is steep in parts but provides incredible views. After the tour you can continue walking up to the top of Victoria's highest cliff at 132m high for incredible views over the whole coastline. Hands down, the highlight of my holiday.

4. Portland Visitor Information Centre

Lee Breakwater Rd, Portland, Victoria 3305, Australia +61 1800 035 567
Excellent
56%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 72 reviews

Portland Visitor Information Centre

Reviewed By Wayne J - Pakenham, Australia

The people working in this visitor information centre made you very welcome, they are very willing to show you all the attractions that are on offer both in Portland and surrounding areas.

5. Great South West Walk

50 Lee Breakwater Road, Portland, Victoria, Australia
Excellent
72%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 39 reviews

Great South West Walk

Reviewed By Diddicoy - Melbourne, Australia

Walked both ways from Cape Nelson and also at Cape Bridgewater Lakes. Great views and good for birdwatching. Saw wallabies and a fox. Portland stretch has good walking surface after lighthouse towards Bridgewater you really need boots due to rough rocky surface.

6. Portland Strawberries

87 Princes Hwy, Portland, Victoria 3305, Australia +61 3 5523 1834
Excellent
67%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 33 reviews

Portland Strawberries

Reviewed By Karen M - Daylesford, Australia

We dropped in looking for gifts to take home after our holiday & found most of them on the amply stocked shelves of the little shop attached to Portland Strawberry Farm. We tasted giant flavoursome strawberries. There were jams, sauces, preserves, ice-cream, fresh fruit etc available to buy. There is plenty of parking outside the door.

7. World War II Memorial Lookout

Wade Street, off Bentinck Street, Portland, Victoria 3305, Australia +61 3 5523 3938
Excellent
55%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 26 reviews

World War II Memorial Lookout

Reviewed By Graeme T - Fremantle, Australia

Turning the old water tower into a World War II Memorial Lookout was a piece of inspired thinking. The collection covers the Second World War mostly but other conflicts are also covered. Climbing to the top of the tower provides you with 360 degree view of Portland and the surrounding area

8. Cape Nelson State Park

Cape Nelson Road, Portland, Victoria 3305, Australia +61 13 19 63
Excellent
54%
Good
46%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 15 reviews

Cape Nelson State Park

Reviewed By JohnG3121 - Greater Melbourne, Australia

Ive been visiting this lovely part of Australia since I was a kid and I still find it spectacular every time I visit. This part of Victoria is a bit overshadowed by great ocean rd and Warrnambool/port fairy. shame because its lovely.

9. Whaler's Bluff Lighthouse

Lighthouse Street, Portland, Victoria 3305, Australia
Excellent
29%
Good
48%
Satisfactory
23%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 17 reviews

Whaler's Bluff Lighthouse

Reviewed By khniblett

This is a cute little lighthouse that is close to the centre of Portland. The car park is tiny (roadside parking on a dead end residential street that does not have a turning bay) so I would not recommend driving a RV in, instead walk the 100 mt from the nearby park if you don't like turning around in a tight space.

10. Portland Botanical Gardens

Excellent
60%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 10 reviews

Portland Botanical Gardens

Reviewed By William P - Phoenix, Arizona, USA

Maybe we were just lucky because of the time of year, but we saw the most incredible display of dahlias I have ever seen. I know that the Aussies are getting ready for the huge flower display for ANZAC day later this month, but this Botanical Garden blew my mind! So very many beautiful flowers in every color imaginable, all within a 5 or so acre (2 hectares) patch of land. The rose garden part of the park was a bit weak due to the time of year (a bit too late) but the dahlia exhibit made up for any shortcomings in the rose exhibit! WOW!

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