Portsea Vic 3944 (Pop 690)

Portsea is a popular and exclusive Mornington Peninsula seaside resort 118 km south of Melbourne. Sitting on Point Nepean, northwards are Port Phillip Bay’s calm waters while the southern side is characterized by turbulent and windy ocean waters used for surfing & iron-man competitions. The Bunurong Aborigines occupied this area for thousands of years as is evidenced by the middens and stone implements still visible. Pastoralists arrived in 1840s and remnants of a quarantine station (1852) still remain as do the fortifications of Point Nepean (1882). The tragic drowning of Australian Prime Minister, Harold Holt at nearby Cheviot Beach occurred in 1967 with the offshore waters now known as the Harold Holt Marine Reserve. Always an upmarket holiday destination as evidenced by the many gracious mansions, it remains so today. Portsea hosts a number of sporting events in January - Portsea Pro-Am Classic, Pier to Pub Swim, Yacht Races and Portsea Swim Classic. 

Tourist Attractions & Info:
Portsea Beach & Jetty calm bayside beaches and a long wooden pier popular for fishing. Ferries operate between Sorrento and Queenscliff. Shelley Beach Walk, Hemston Ave (2.5 km). Portsea Back Beach popular with swimmers and surfers though conditions can be rough and dangerous. London Bridge a wave-formed rock arch. Farnsworth Track 3 km return cliff top walk. 

Nearby:
The Coastal Walk various tracks from London Bridge to Cape Schanck (28 km) taking in tidal rock pools, spectacular views, sand dunes, rugged cliffs and beaches. Point Nepean (and Quarantine Station) within the Mornington Peninsula NP has number of interesting walking tracks accessing the remains of the fort, barracks and underground tunnels built in 1882 to repel a perceived Russian invasion. Popes Eye Marine Reserve man-made island and reef popular for diving and nesting of gannets.

Accommodation:
Portsea has 2 hotels, a resort and a caravan park. Visitor Information Centre: Point Nepean Rd, Dromana. Tel (03) 5987 3078 or 1800 804 009.