Portsea
Quick facts
- Population approximately 330
- 115 kilometres south of Melbourne
- Fine cuisine and cafe society
- Million dollar mansions.
Portsea is situated at the tip of the Mornington Peninsula. Its end-of-the-road location and cathedral-like canopy of trees sets the scene for the million dollar mansions inhabited on weekends and during holidays by Melbourne’s rich and famous.
Although the town faces over the calm waters of Port Phillip Bay, the land is so narrow at this point that the town extends from the calm waters of the bay across to the surf beaches on the ocean side.
Portsea also borders the Point Nepean section of the Mornington Peninsula National Park where visitors can explore a fascinating labyrinth of tunnels and fortifications guarding Port Phillip heads since the 1880s.
Activities and attractions
- Enjoy cliff-top walks and stunning views
- Swim at a safe bay beach or take to the surf at an ocean beach where surfing and iron man competitions are held
- Explore the remains of Victoria’s coastal defence at Fort Nepean or visit the Quarantine Station Museum
- Find out why Portsea is such a popular scuba diving location
- Play a round of golf at Portsea Golf Club
- Enjoy a balmy summer night with dinner and a drink on the lawns of the historic Portsea Pub.
Major events
- Portsea Pro-Am classic – early January
- Pier to Pub Swim – January
- Melbourne to Hobart/Melbourne to Devonport yacht races – January
- Portsea Swim Classic – January.
How to get there
Portsea is approximately 1.5 hours from Melbourne via the Nepean Highway or take the ferry across the bay from Queenscliff to Sorrento Portsea is a 5 minute drive north-west of Sorrento.
