Located on the tip of the Mornington Peninsula, just 90 minutes away from Melbourne, you’ll find the coastal village of Portsea. This coastal escape offers an excellent change of scene from your day-to-day life, with glittering seas, windswept national parks and charming eateries. It’s great for visits in the summer of course, but you’ll find plenty to do all year round, with the colder months offering a more peaceful getaway. Here’s what to expect in Portsea.
Portsea
This delightful spot was just crowned as the Top Tiny Tourism Town in Victoria. Experience the best of both worlds, with rugged beaches on one side, and tranquil spaces on the other. Facing Port Phillip Bay, take a stroll along calmer spots like Portsea Front Beach or Shelley Beach. There, you’ll find gentle waters, soft sand and colourful bathing boxes. Perfect for swimming, you can pop in for a dip on a hot day, and go snorkelling. Hang out around Portsea Pier, and if you’re lucky, you’ll see a weedy seadragon.
On the other side of Portsea, you’ll find more dramatic stretches of coastline. Go surfing at the aptly named Portsea Surf Beach, explore rockpools at Portsea Ocean Beach and Portsea Back Beach, and see dramatic cliffs, and cool formations like London Bridge. Things are wilder here, with strong rips, so if you must swim, remember to stay between the flags.
Of course, if you’d prefer to stay dry, you can always go on a nice walk. Hike along Farnsworth Track, part of the larger, 30-kilometre-long Coastal Walk, and move along the clifftops between Portsea Ocean Beach and London Bridge. This out-and-back track is 1.5km long, and takes about 45 minutes to complete one way.
For something a little different, try strolling along the Millionaire’s Walk. On this short clifftop walk, you can glimpse into the backyards of the rich and famous, or look out at the water and admire the coastal views. Earlier this year, the ATO recently named Portsea as the richest postcode in the nation, so this little stroll will help satisfy your curiosity, and give you a peek into how the other half lives. Located between Point King Road and Lentell Avenue, this track is a 1km return journey, and is a smaller part of Sorrento-Portsea Artists’ Trail. There are gates on both ends of the track, but don’t worry, you’re allowed to be there!
For another dry activity, show off your swing with a trip to Portsea Golf Club. As you play among the sand dunes, you’ll enjoy sweeping views of Port Phillip Bay.
Point Nepean National Park
Right next to Portsea, you’ll find the 560-hectare Point Nepean National Park. Located on the lands of the Bunurong People, at the most western edge of the peninsula, Point Nepean is packed with both historic and natural sights.
Check out the Quarantine Station, which was established in 1852, and is home to almost 50 heritage-listed buildings and artefacts. Learn how new arrivals spent their first few weeks in Australia in this network of buildings, as a way to protect the country from infectious diseases.
Hop on the shuttle bus from Quarantine Station, and make your way over to Fort Nepean. Learn how it was a strategic defence post from the 1880s until 1945. See barracks, tunnels, fortifications, gun emplacements and more.
Former Prime Minister Harold Holt famously disappeared while swimming at Cheviot Beach, which is located in the national park. While you can’t access the beach, you can visit a memorial plinth, and go on a viewing platform that overlooks the beach.
If you’re not a fan of history, you’ll still find plenty of stunning nature to keep you busy. Explore the park along the myriad of walking trails, or speed things along by bringing or hiring a bike. Just note that cycling is not permitted at Fort Nepean. In winter, see if you can spot any migrating whales.
If you’d like to stay even longer, book a stay in one of the Point Nepean Discovery Tents. Available from September to April, this site offers pre-pitched tents, making it perfect for beginner campers.
This national park is also home to the Point Nepean Portsea Market during the warmer months. Located under the tea trees near Quarantine Station, you’ll find local bakers, growers and makers among the market stalls. The next event will take place on September 26.
Food and drink
Drift over to Portsea Hotel for a few different dining experiences. Established in 1876, you can take in ocean views and enjoy pub classics from the beer garden, grab brekkie from the general store, or make a booking to dine inside the Longshore room for lunch or dinner. Otherwise, opt for wood-fired pizza from Fatto Da Mamma. During the colder months, heat up by one of the fireplaces.
Nearby, you’ll find Pompette Portsea, a French-inspired wine bar and bistro. Unwind with a glass by the fire, and tuck into favourites like cosy fondue, steak frites or tarte tatin.
For something more casual, pop into Le Capucin, which is by the same team as Pompette. Start your day right with a croissant, linger over brunch, or grab a little treat to enjoy on a picnic.
Otherwise, duck into Baked in Portsea for a classic pie or a casual pastry.
Getting there:
To get to Portsea from Melbourne, you could drive by taking the M1 to the Eastlink, then following the Peninsula Link until it becomes Point Nepean Road. Or, if you’re coming from the western side of Melbourne, you could also hop on the ferry from Queenscliff to Sorrento, which is just five minutes away from Portsea.
It’s easiest to drive, but if you’re taking public transport, you can take a train to Frankston, then hop on a bus to Portsea.
