Portland, Australia Cruises

Portland, Australia Cruise Port

Located in Portland Bay in Victoria, Australia, Portland is the country’s oldest European settlement. Today it’s a popular fishing port with a professional fleet of more than 60 vessels. Practicing both traditional and deep sea fishing, Portland provides itself, the neighboring communities, and further away cities with fresh and exotic seafood. The wonderful streets are infused with hundreds of pristinely maintained heritage buildings. Visitors and local alike are free to view such old-fashioned architecture by traversing the Great South West Walk, a 160-mile walking trail that begins near port at the information center. The Great Ocean Road also offers stunning views of majestic rock formations that come to life with their surreal colors and textures rising up from the Southern Ocean’s floor. Portland also boasts vibrant cultural diversity among their people and the art they create. The Council for Encouragement of Music and the Arts (CEMA) plays a big role in bringing together regional artists.

• Delve deep into the artistic community at the Arts Company located in Portland’s heritage precinct. Observe studios, pieces, or the artists themselves, and be sure to hang around for a guided workshop.
   
• Take a day trip to Grampians National Park to view the area’s most expressive mountains, waterfalls, and wildlife. Also check out the fantastic aboriginal rock art.
   
• To learn more about the seaward life, visit the Portland Maritime Museum. One particularly special item on display is Portland Lifeboat, constructed in 1858 and one of the world’s oldest remaining lifeboats.
   
• For a great speedy tour of the picturesque region, try the Portland Cable Tram. Not only is this a fun way to get around, the relaxing pace offers a more leisurely experience.