Portsea
Portsea is the most westerly settlement on the Mornington Peninsula. The end-of-the-road location and its cathedral-like canopy of trees sets the scene for the million dollar mansions inhabited on weekends and holidays by Melbourne's rich and famous. Visit for a day or a weekend, and link up with the Great Ocean Road or French and Phillip Islands to extend your holiday experience.
Portsea borders the Point Nepean section of the Mornington Peninsula National Park - a fascinating labyrinth of tunnels and fortifications guarding Port Phillip heads since the 1880's.
Enjoy clifftop walks, famous pubs, sensational golf and stunning views. Swim at one of the bay's best beaches or see the wilder side at the surf beach which provides the setting for regular surfing and iron man competitions.
A small shopping strip provides little more than the essentials, but that's the way the locals like it!
In the Directory
Photos
- Mornington Peninsula - Photo courtesy of Tourism VIC
- Snorkelling At Portsea - Photo courtesy of Tourism VIC
- Taking A Walk Along Jetty - Photo courtesy of Tourism VIC
Underwater Recommendations
Explore the wrecks of the J-Class submarines or the remains of the Eliza Ramsden. Interact with Australian Fur Seals. The seals are very comfortable around divers and will come up close to check you out. The reefs in this area are very colourful and rich in marine life. Invertebrates include octopus, basket stars, different shrimp, crabs and a variety of nudibranchs.
Getting There
Travel by car via the Nepean Highway for approximately 1.5 hours, or take the ferry from the Great Ocean Road which operates between Queenscliff and Sorrento. Portsea is a 5 minute drive north west from Sorrento.