Portarlington, a small seaside city on the Bellarine Peninsula, is now a simple and distinctive day journey for Melburnians and Melbourne-based vacationers because of Port Phillip Ferries.
Port Phillip Ferries operates a twice-daily catamaran ferry service from Melbourne Docklands to Portarlington and we’re invited to take a return ferry journey and to spend just a few hours exploring.
Port Phillip Ferries departs from and returns to Victoria Harbour, Docklands and operates each day. It leaves within the morning and comes again late afternoon, good for a day journey.
The ferry journey is an journey in itself, with views of the Yarra River, Bolte Bridge, and West Gate Bridge, and doable sightings of dolphins and seals.
The ferry may be very comfy, with outdoors areas back and front the place you may admire the views, and inside upstairs and downstairs seating the place you may benefit from the air-conditioning and watch the surroundings from the home windows out of your plush seats.
The boat has bathrooms on board, free wifi, free charging stations, bike racks (which ideally needs to be booked forward of time) and a kiosk promoting snacks and drinks.
The journey takes 1.5 hours, with gradual cruising from Docklands to Williamstown then sooner throughout the broader bay till you notice the seashores and hills of Portarlington. There are many alternatives for nice photographs of the Melbourne CBD skyline, Bolte Bridge and Westgate Bridge.
A collection of native tour operators can be found to fulfill passengers on arrival in Portarlington, transporting them to numerous wineries, eating places, breweries and points of interest.
Ideas for a day journey to Portarlington with Port Phillip Ferries
1. E-book your tickets on-line
You should buy tickets on board however reserving tickets forward of time signifies that you’re assured a seat. I’m stunned by how many individuals board our boat on a summer season’s Sunday, which signifies that little question the service is much more well-liked throughout Christmas/New Yr/ college holidays/particular occasions.
For those who’re planning to take bikes it’s greatest to incorporate the bike together with your reserving as there are solely 20 areas. The boat is well-liked with eager cyclists who take their street bikes to Portarlington for weekend rides.
Return tickets value $42 for adults, $39 for concession and $27 for youngsters (aged 4-16), household move for 4 folks ($120), youngsters aged 3 and below journey free of charge. Group reductions for 25+ folks is $26 per particular person. Bike are free. Costs might range in keeping with seasonality and peak intervals.
Half-Value Return Journeys with Port Phillip Ferries
Port Phillip Ferries is providing a particular 50% low cost on return journeys to Portarlington or Geelong.
Merely be part of their mailing record by the top of June 2024 to obtain a reduction code, usable anytime within the subsequent three years.
2. Declare an indoors seat by a window
Port Phillip Bay will get chilly even within the top of summer season, so it’s good to have a house base that’s indoors the place you may depart your stuff. The prime spots are the home windows on the appropriate (starboard) facet going to Portarlington, and home windows on the left (port) facet going to Docklands.
3. For teenagers take snacks, drinks, leisure
I discover that for the primary quarter-hour or so the boat is a novelty, after which youngsters wish to do one thing else. I pack Nude Meals lunchboxes, water bottles, colouring and books. On the best way again I give Child 2.0 my cell phone to play video games as a result of he can’t learn but. Fortunately there are free charging stations and Wi-Fi on board.
4. Lunchtime – Attempt Portarlington mussels
When you attain Portarlington at 12:30pm it’s lunchtime. As a result of we have now bikes we select the closest and best possibility, an off-the-cuff cafe, kiosk and restaurant. It faces the pier and the canine seaside and serves fairly normal fare, together with fairly good fish and chips and the well-known Portarlington mussels.
For those who’re after a extra gourmand expertise I like to recommend making an attempt one of many close by wineries. The Little Mussel cafe a bit out of the city centre can also be beneficial.
The Little Mussel Cafe 40-42 Newcombe Avenue Portarlington, (03) 5259 1377
5. Candy treats – Jam donuts and lollies
Portarlington’s well-known candy treats are from the Jam Donut van on the pier and the Pier View Lolly Store.
The previous is parked proper on the finish of the pier so you may’t miss it. They promote giant sugary-coated jam donuts for $1.80 every or 6 for $10.
The latter is on the prime of the hill of the primary road and is an old style pick-and-mix lolly store ($2.60 for 100g). You may also purchase ice cream there and it’s throughout the street from a playground.
Jam Donut Van Portarlington Pier, Portarlington
Pier View Lolly Store, 92A Newcombe St, Portarlington 0413 507 757
6. Plan a mode of transport
For those who’re planning to only hold round Portarlington there’s no want to contemplate a mode of transport. The city is small and walkable (after the sizable hill from the seaside).
We take our bikes as a result of the foreshore is a pleasant flat journey and since I’m unsure how far all the things is from the pier. We might have gone for lengthy bike rides however determine to remain nearer to the city centre as a result of I’m anxious that we’ll miss the boat.
For those who solely want grownup bikes you may rent e-bikes from Bella e-Bikes who meet the ferry on the pier.
7. Portarlington Miniature Railway
Each Sunday 11-4pm (and Wednesdays 11-4pm throughout college holidays) volunteers open the Portarlington Miniature Railway at Level Richards for public runs.
Every journey is $4 (or $35 for a household day move!) and also you go for 2 loops round a flat observe.
There are picnic shelters and barbecues on the positioning, a small playground, public bathrooms and the (rocky) seaside throughout the street. Child 2.0 says ‘that is a lot enjoyable!’
Portarlington Miniature Railway, Boat Rd, Portarlington 0476 124 598
Associated submit: 11 Greatest Miniature Railways Throughout Melbourne & Victoria
8. Pack your swimming wear
Portarlington Seaside is shallow for an extended distance and the water continues to be and clear. When you tiptoe previous the shells and grit the sand underfoot is delightfully delicate.
The children take pleasure in wading out and enjoying video games within the sand earlier than it’s time to go again to Melbourne on the boat. We now have dinner at Southern Cross station (which has some dire choices to be trustworthy) after which take the practice again residence.
We’re nonetheless basking within the glow of our go to to Portarlington with Port Phillip Ferries – it actually was a joyous, family-memory-making kind of day. I extremely advocate it for households wanting a day journey out of Melbourne.
Subsequent time we’ll enterprise additional afield and discover among the wineries and points of interest past Portarlington. Listed below are some concepts of what else you may see and do within the space.
This submit was produced in partnership with Port Phillip Ferries and Tourism Better Geelong and the Bellarine.