Discover Portland: Tram, Gardens and History

Portland’s maritime character is right on the waterfront: the Portland Cable Tram runs along the historic waterfront, and the fully restored saloon and grip cars offer views of Portland Bay. Passengers can hop on and off along the way to visit the Portland Maritime Discovery Centre. The tram ride therefore combines a view of the bay with a specific destination; you can make this visit a separate part of your stay in Portland.

Waterfront, Gardens and Trails

Portland’s Botanic Gardens offer another way to explore the area. They are the second-oldest botanical gardens in Victoria. Walking trails connect them to Fawthrop Lagoon and the Foreshore precinct. These connections make the gardens more than a single sightseeing stop: the trails give you the opportunity to include both the lagoon and the Foreshore precinct in your exploration. Unlike the tram, which runs along the waterfront, the focus here is on walking trails between named places.

Hikes of Different Durations

For longer walks, Portland has a clear starting point: the Great South West Walk begins at the Portland Visitor Information Centre. The 250 km circuit returns to Portland. There are also short circuit walks lasting one to two hours. This offers two very different scales: you can consider a short walk or take on the full 250 km loop, which starts and finishes in Portland. The short circuit walks and the complete route suit different timeframes. If you want to combine walking with other visits around town, this distinction can help with planning your day.

Another walk starts at Portland Harbour. The morning walk begins at the shoreline, which you reach from the World War II Memorial Lookout by climbing 145 steps. The number of steps is a practical planning consideration if you want to include this route in your morning. The starting points also make it easy to compare the routes: the Great South West Walk begins at the Visitor Information Centre, while the harbour walk starts at the shoreline.

Portland’s Buildings and Maritime Stories

You can also explore Portland through its architecture and history. The self-guided Historical Buildings Walk offers an independent way to explore; Portland is also home to more than 200 buildings of historical significance. At History House, the focus is on different stories: key exhibitions include stories about sealers and whalers. This lets you choose between a self-guided look at historic buildings and the maritime themes of the exhibitions.

Choosing Accommodation to Suit Your Itinerary

When looking for a hotel in Portland, it’s worth first deciding on the pace you want for your stay. Short circuit walks of one to two hours offer a different timeframe from the 250 km loop; the tram ride, garden trails and historic explorations provide other points of focus.

Discover more destinations: Badger Creek, Yellingbo, Hmas Cerberus, Vermont South, Sulky, Goughs Bay, Barwon Heads.

See the broader travel overview: Victoria.