Things to See & Do
Whilst it was put on the foodie map by its famous mussels, Portarlington has much more to tantalise your taste buds these days.
As a central point to many of the attractions on the Bellarine Taste Trail, Portarlington is a great spot to base a gourmet tour of the surrounding region.
In town you'll have access to top class restaurants and cafes, locally grown produce and one of the best bakeries in the region. In the surrounding hills you can explore award-winning wineries or buy food direct from the grower.
Point Richards is a large accumulation of sand that forms the northern tip of the Bellarine Peninsula. The point is still growing slowly to the west, while in the east it is attached to the bedrock at Portarlington.
There are three beaches along this 2.5 km section of coast. The first is a 300 m long, low energy section west of the point, which grades into tidal flats.
Between the point and the Portarlington Jetty is a 2 km long, north facing beach, backed by a large reserve and a caravan park. The third beach runs for 200 m east of the jetty to the bluffs.
All three beaches have good access, with a large car park on the point servicing a boat ramp, and a second boat ramp on Portarlington Beach.
Swimming
These are three relatively safe beaches, with usually calm to low wave conditions. Due to the extensive sand flats, bathing is best at mid to high tide. However, watch the boat traffic near the boat ramps and jetty.
Surfing
None.
Fishing
The jetty is the most popular location.
General
A very popular section of coast, particularly during the summer holidays when the backing caravan park is full.
Carpark
Type: Formal parking area
Surface: Sealed
Spaces: 200
SLSA provides this information as a guide only. Surf conditions are variable and therefore this information should not be relied upon as a substitute for observation of local conditions and an understanding of your abilities in the surf. SLSA reminds you to always swim between the red and yellow flags and never swim at unpatrolled beaches. SLSA takes all care and responsibility for any translation but it cannot guarentee that all translations will be accurate.
General Beach Hazard Rating: 1
Least hazardous: 1-3
Moderately hazardous: 4-6
Highly hazardous: 7-8
Extremely hazardous: 9-10
Hazard rating refers to physical beach and surf conditions ONLY and does not include potentially dangerous marine life.
There are several places to launch a boat in Portarlington and surrounding areas. The Point Richards boat ramp, just west of town, has just been upgraded.
It is now a safer facility with two lanes, able to take larger scale boats and is close to King George Whiting and snapper grounds. Other nearby boat ramps include those at St Leonards, Indented Head and Clifton Springs.
The Portarlington Pier is a popular fishing spot. The main pier runs North-South and at the end a breakwater runs East-West. It is a good spot to catch salmon.
Mullet, garfish and trevally are often caught in the harbour and squid can be caught on the Western side. Boat ramps in the area can launch anglers into the bay and hooking snapper, whiting, flathead and sharks.
The Pier, a working harbour, houses the town’s mussel fleet, so it’s not unusual to see crews setting out for or returning from harvesting Blue Mussels grown in farms just offshore in Port Phillip Bay.
Portarlington has become famous for its mussels, and you can buy them direct from the farmer in town, often on the pier straight from the boat.
At Indented Head, the coast turns and runs due south for 3 km down to the low bluffs at St Leonards. The Esplanade runs right behind the beach and low foredune.
There are two picnic areas behind the main beach, with a camping reserve toward St Leonards, and a foreshore reserve with numerous facilities backing the bluffs and St Leonards Pier Beach.
Toward the southern end of St Leonards Beach, there are several wooden groynes, as well as the breakwater and pier, that form the boundary with the 300 m long St Leonards Pier Beach. This beach terminates at a low, rocky point and reef flats.
Both beaches are low and narrow and fronted by shallow, 100 to 200 m wide sand flats, containing low amplitude bars and runnels. The flats are exposed at low tide.
Swimming
Two relatively safe beaches fronted by shallow sand flats and low bars. Bathing is better at mid to high tide when the flats are covered.
Surfing
None.
Fishing
The rocks on the south side of Indented Head and the St Leonards Pier are the two best places to reach deeper water.
General
A long, relatively natural beach, with good access and numerous facilities, plus the small town of St Leonards at the southern end.
Carpark
Type: Formal parking area
Surface: Sealed
Spaces: 100
SLSA provides this information as a guide only. Surf conditions are variable and therefore this information should not be relied upon as a substitute for observation of local conditions and an understanding of your abilities in the surf. SLSA reminds you to always swim between the red and yellow flags and never swim at unpatrolled beaches. SLSA takes all care and responsibility for any translation but it cannot guarantee that all translations will be accurate.
General Beach Hazard Rating: 2
Least hazardous: 1-3
Moderately hazardous: 4-6
Highly hazardous: 7-8
Extremely hazardous: 9-10
Hazard rating refers to physical beach and surf conditions ONLY and does not include potentially dangerous marine life.