Otway Division of General Practice

“Promoting Better Healthcare and Lifestyle"

Home

About Otway

Programs

Medical Practices

Explore Otway

Publications

Resources

Services

Yes...we are a QIC Accredited Organisation!

Many buildings from the 1800's still remain in the city area, and date back to the time of settlement, and can be viewed by following the self guided history walking tour.

Portland was proclaimed a city on Monday October 28, 1985, in the presence of Their Royal Highnesses, The Prince and Princess of Wales. Today, Portland is a town of around 12,000 residents.

Portland has also developed around a bustling commercial deep water port. More than $1 billion of cargo is handled by the port each year which shares its resources with a  thriving  

Portland is situated 362 kms west of Melbourne in the South West of Victoria. It is Victoria's first permanent settlement. The natural beauty and attractions offer a range of things to see and do, for all age groups.

Link to map of Portland township

Located halfway between Melbourne and Adelaide on the Great Ocean Road, Portland was established by the Henty family in 1834, and offers a perfect stopover point for travellers.
 

The Portland Cable Trams was established as a community organisation in June 1996, with the view to laying light rail to carry refurbished diesel powered trams, as both an outlet for rail and heritage enthusiasts and a tourist venture. The tram is now on track and has carries passengers along the scenic route from Henty Park to the RSL Memorial Lookout, at the old North Portland Water Tower.

The ALCOA aluminium smelter was built, amidst controversy, in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Portland won an award in 1984 for its innovative work in harnessing geothermal energy from the artesian basin and it is now a major source of energy to Portland's municipal buildings. It became a city in 1985.

fishing industry, recreational water sports and an abundance of marine life.

Annual events include a foreshore carnival in January, a fishing competition in February, the Dahlia Festival in March, a jazz festival and Pioneer Week in November and a surfboat marathon in December.

Rugged seas, endless beaches and cliffs have provided a reason for many visitors to come to visit Portland. Some of the well known coastal attractions include Cape Bridgewater where the Petrified Forest, Seal Colony, Freshwater Springs and Blowholes are situated. Also Cape Nelson where Victoria's last manned lighthouse stands, and the Portland harbour in which shipwrecks still lie.

They are a myriad of other features of Portland: surfing, recreational fishing, sailing, diving, museums, the arts, and beautiful gardens just to name a few.

Discovery Bay Coastal Park (8590 ha) which constitutes an outstanding sweep of coastline extending westwards for 50 km to Nelson, taking in vast expanses of rolling white sand dunes, sweeping beaches, Aboriginal middens, tranquil lakes and rugged rock formations.

There are grey kangaroos, red-necked wallabies and over 140 bird species. Coastal, swamp and heath vegetation is prolific. The more westerly sections of the park are accessible off the Portland-Nelson Road. There are boat-launching ramps and surf fishing opportunities.