Events listed on this page are to promote activities within the Bellarine Region. If you would like to list an event on this page then please use the form here.

2009 PORTARLINGTON MUSSEL FESTIVAL 
Don't let the rising fuel costs spoil your summer holiday. Portarlington is only 1 and half hours drive from Melbourne. It's beautiful bayside beach and adjacent parklands is the perfect setting for the annual Mussel Festival on Saturday, January 10, 2009.
Taste a range of freshly cooked mussels in a variety of sauces, sample the local wines, beer and other produce while enjoy the music, art show, kids activities and the atmosphere of a small quality market. Sit back and enjoy the outdoor music event featuring well known band, "Inka Marka"
Cheer on the 'boats' in the community 'dry boat' event near the pier.
Visit the shops and cafes along the main street, walk or cycle along the coastal bike paths or just enjoy a picnic and a swim.
Take a trip on the sailing ship, Enterprize, play some lawn bowls, follow a self guided history tour. Whether its golf, bowls, fishing or simply sitting in the sand that takes your fancy, Portarlington has it all.
Remember, Portarlington Mussel Festival January 10, 2009.
Email: musselfestival@yahoo.com.au

Ferry Service for the Bellarine Peninsula

Imagine crusing across the Bay to work not having to worry about traffic congestion and incresed petrol prices.
The Bellarine Ferry Group was formed to look at the logistics of getting such a ferry operating between the Bellarine Peninsula and Melbourne.
It was determined that to be viable, such a ferry service had to be based on regular services during the day which cater for commuters in the morning/night and tourists during the day and at weekends. A total travel time of approximately one hour (Portarlington/Station Pier/Melbourne City) was envisaged.
As Portarlington is the closest practical departure point on the Peninsula to Melbourne, the first stage was to ensure that the new Safe Harbour facility being planned for Portarlington had provision for two 300 seat capacity ferries to both berth and moor.
It has been indicated by Parks Victoria that the draft Portarlington Safe Harbour Plan which will be released to the public in August/September 2008 does contain such a facility.
The group intends to Lobby for/assist in a ferry feasibility study which would form the basis for the State Government to tender a ferry service between the Bellarine Peninsula (Portarlington) and Melbourne (Port Melbourne).

HAPPENING HAMPER- hampers with a twist
Happening Hampers delight in creating fun, unique experiences. They are passionate about travel, experiencing other cultures and trying new things. Keeping up with current trends is very much part of our business.
They have our finger on the pulse.
If you hear about 'the next big thing', you can be sure they will be out there sourcing ingredients and planning how to incorporate them into an exciting new hamper.They are committed to sourcing truly authentic ingredients for our hampers. For example, Happening Hampers don't just choose any old tea for our Moroccan Tea Basket, but Rolled Gunpowder Green Tea, the tea of choice for Moroccans.
This attention to detail means you participate in a truly authentic experience. Put some delight back in your life.
Take time for tea. Practise some Bollywood moves.
Sip a cocktail to the smooth Calypso sounds of Harry Belafonte. Phone: Emily 0424 922 336
enquiries@happeninghampers.com.au

Winery Tours

For the Love of Grape Bellarine Wine Tours offers a relaxing and memorable experience to the variety of wineries on offer in the Bellarine and Surf Coast areas.
The tours offer the convenience of collection and drop off to all accommodation, homes, Geelong train stations and Queenscliff Ferry services.
Tours include half day tours that start from $55 per person (inclusion of lunch is at an additional charge) to full day tours. The suggested full day tours include pamper & wine, full wine day tours (inc lunch) and caters for corporate functions/wedding parties, and other groups.
All clients have the option of selecting the wineries to visit or tailoring a day tour to suit the interests of their group.
All the Bellarine Wine Tours are inclusive of GST and tasting fees.
For all enquiries and bookings please contact your local tour operator Karen Shannon on 0408 388 332 or via email on fortheloveofgrape@hotmail.com.

Tiff’s Treasures

http://www.tiffstreasures.com.au

A local home based shop with a world wide market. Using the internet as a marketing tool, Tiffs Treasures is your one stop shop for buying beads online. They have a wide range of beads and beading products in stock, many imported from Italy and Japan, and not available elsewhere.

You will find stringing supplies, wooden beads, bali beads and acrylic beads right through to swarovski beads and hand made glass lamp work beads and jewellery making books.
Tiffs Treasures has been involved in wholesale and direct to the public bead sales for over 7 years. They stock a huge array of beads and beading supplies and buy in bulk to pass the savings on to you.
If you live in the Geelong region then its worth visiting Tiff;s Treasures.
They are open every Friday and Saturday from 10.00am to 4.30 pm or by appointment.
Phone 0422 392 398, Or visit at 26 Alison St Portarlington VIC 3223

Portarlington Miniature Railway
This delightful railway is operated by the Rotary Club of Drysdale with proceeds going to local community projects. The train operates from 11.00 am to 3.00 pm on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month until 31 December.
In January it operates every Sunday and every Wednesday. Rides are good value and it is a great place for kids, parents and grandparents! Trains run along a track around the Rotary Children's Park.
There is a Station building with a ticket office and weather protected area, boarding platform, refreshments, and BBQ facilities. To visit the Railway turn off the Geelong-Portarlington Road just before you enter Portarlington by turning left into Point Richards Road and following the road down to the parking area between the Boat Ramp and the Railway Buildings.
This is also a great place to hold birthday parties for children or end of the year functions for kindergartens, family organisations etc. as the Train can be hired for your private use on a weekday or a Saturday.
There is also a free children's playground, picnic area with seating and free electric barbeque shelters (donated by the Rotary Club of Drysdale) which can be enjoyed seven days a week regardless of whether the miniature railway is operating. For more information - please phone 5259 1340

PORTARLINGTON PELARGONIUM AND GERANIUM FESTIVAL
Saturday 1st November 2008
Portarlington’s Main Street will be decorated with dashes of colour for the 3rd Pelargonium and Geranium Festival. This year barrels of brightly coloured flowers painted by local residents will decorate Newcombe Street welcoming visitors to the town.
Due to demand this year the festival will be held at two different locations within walking distance from each other. The main Festival will be at the Senior Citizens Centre, Newcombe St. Portarlington, from 10.30am till 2pm, with plants, exhibition blooms, floral displays, works of art and photographs, all celebrating these fabulous flowers.
Sales
Plants will be on sale at St.Andrews Church Hall, Newcombe St. Portarlington, from 9am till 1pm or until sold out. The University of the Third Age (U3A) art group is enthusiastically painting pictures to exhibit again at this year’s show. This is a great event for the gardening enthusiast for the cost of a gold coin donation.
Inquiries: 03 52593436 keithritaoliver@optusnet.com.au judy_margolis@hotmail.com

Sunday Artz

Port Arts Network
A new group called Sunday Artz was recently formed and may be of interest to many. This group is similar to a book group but includes visits to live theatre, cinema, art exhibitions etc during evenings and weekends so as not to exclude those who are in regular employment.
This group will also appeal to those who often do not attend various functions as they do not like to go alone. Discussions about what has been seen or read, as well as ideas for future visits, will then take place on pre-determined Sunday mornings at a variety of local cafes.
Recent events included reading and discussing the book "The Dressmaker" by Rosalie Ham, and the group recently supported a local production od Tim Winton's play, "Cloudstreet". Their was discussion about anything written by Tim Winton, and a visit to a local production of "Murdered by Death" by the Bellarine Theatre Group. Severla group members attended the performance by Sue Ingelton.
Activities and dates will be emailed to all members and advertised at various outlets so that car pooling can be organised if required.

Book on Portarlington-acknowledged
Discovering Portarlington's History-A Driving trail
This book was recently shortlisted for the Victorian Community History Awards.
The publication was researched and written by the Portarlington History Group, and focus's on some of Portarlington's' buildings, and people.
Woven throughout the book are recollections of locals who remember the buildings fondly. Some people assisted in the building of them, while others either lived in them at various stages, or visited them.
The book also provides a glimpse of what is was like growing up in Portarlington during the war years and how families survived. Set out as a driving trail, complete with a map and key it takes the reader on a journey around the town, listing sites that have gone, and those which have been restored.
The book finishes with some further history such as the Land Army, the Red Cross, the Edina and its Captain, and notes on some of the recreational clubs. The cost of the publication is a mere $15.00 plus postage and handling, please contact Portarlington Tourism if you wish to purchase a copy.

Bike Riders/Cyclists
Portarlington- A cycling Haven.
The cycle trials for the Womens World Cup and the Gatorade Triathlon Series witnessed an influx of state of the art racing bikes, and very bright lyca sportswear.
Portarlington has been part of Victoria's cycling calendar for years now, and it is very spectular to watch, and notice that cycling can be a competitive sport.
Recreational cycling is also on the rise with the Port Pedal group increasing in numbers, and now cycling several days a week. Organised by Graham Gibson, who also goes to the effort of finding a bike for those who do not have one, the rides are very popular, and Graham is extremely patient with you.
On any given Sunday, cars pull into town equipped with cycle racks holding more than one bike. The bike track extends for more than 20 kilometres along some of the most beautiful scenery in Victoria. If you get too hot, jump off and have a swim it is very safe.
If you are visiting and wish to hire a bike, you are able to do so. One of the local caravan parks, Dylene, now hires bikes phone 5259 2231, or alternatively, a 15 minute drive away in Queenscliffe,you can also hire bikes.
You could phone ahead on 5258 1133 for more details. or email.book@beaconresort.com.au

Photographs of the Bellarine Peninsula's "Bay's,Boats and Beaches" Tim Pescott
Tim has been photographing the entire Bellarine Peninsula's coastline for seven years now and had several successful exhibitions and also sells his work at local markets and shops around the peninsula.
It's his passion to capture the many changing moods of the region from very first light to dusk. Images are available framed or unframed and also cards by contacting:
Tim Pescott on 5253 1269 or email:pescotts@yahoo.com.au

Under the hammer-Rosedale-Lincoln's Farm

An important piece of Portarlington's, if not Victoria's farming history was passed in at auction on November 17, 2007. This property has been the subject of a book by a well known author and illustrator, a thesis by an architecture student, and was once the pride of the Bellarine Peninsula.
Records date it back as far as 1862 when an auction notice was published in the Geelong Advertiser. The land was purchased by Edwin Collins who made a name for himself as a cheesmaker, producing some of the world's best cheddar cheese.
The Cheese Factory processed milk from surrounding dairy farms. As well as providing cheese and butter to Geelong and Melbourne, the farm won a prize at the Great Exhibition in London for its cheese.
There was a move away from cheese production to dairy farming. The cows were milked at night by hand, with the milk transported to Geelong for butter production.
Although it is included as a heritage overlay in the City of Greater Geelong' planning scheme, and has an "A" listing, the powers at be have done nothing to ensure that the farm remains an important part of early farming history.

Bellarine Peninsula Tracks and Trails Strategy 2007-2014

For those who are concerned about visitors to the Bellarine Peninsula during the off season this is a wonderful concept proposed by the Bellarine Horse Riders. The trails around the Peninsula will link up 95 kilometres of tracks, trails and un-used roads for recreational use. The creation of mulit-used tracks and trails throughout the Bellarine Peninsula will provide opportunities for farm based tourism, employment, supports local farm viability, promotes the equine and cycling industry and provides opportunities for recreational walkers and hikers.
All those tourism operators, grape growers, and farmers should support this project. Wouldn't it be nice to follow the foreshore, walk through the vineyards, through the Bellarine Hills and back to Portarlington.
There are already a number of walking trails around Portarlington, along the foreshore, and the Fauna and Foreshore area. One group is currently designing a walking trail that links the town to the country.

Enterprize

The tops'l schooner Enterprize is a replica of the ship that brought the first settlers to Melbourne. The original ship, built in Hobart in 1829 by William Pender, carried cargo such as coal and, on at least one occasion, over 300 sheep.
In April 1835, John Pascoe Fawkner purchased Enterprize to search for a suitable settlement site in the Port Phillip District. When Fawkner himself was forced to remain behind by creditors, Enterprize departed George Town, Tasmania on 4 August 1835 under Captain Peter Hunter.
Initially a settlement site was sought around Western Port and on the eastern side of Port Phillip. However, on 15 August 1835, Enterprize entered the Yarra River, and after warping upstream (hauling on ropes attached to the river bank), she moored at the foot of the present day William Street.
On the 30 August 1835 the settlers disembarked to build their store and clear land to grow vegetables. Settlement at Melbourne had begun. After the settlement voyage, Enterprize continued operating as a coastal trading vessel. She eventually disappeared from the shipping register in 1845, having been wrecked on the bar of the Richmond River in northern New South Wales, with the loss of two lives.
The replica Enterprize was built so that a significant part of Melbourne's history would be preserved and accessible to the people of Victoria. Planning of the 27 metre vessel began in 1989. Her keel was laid at the Polly Woodside Maritime Museum in 1991 and she was completed in the old Ports and Harbour's yard at Williamstown.
The 2.5 million dollar vessel was launched by Felicity Kennett on Saturday 30 August 1997 at Hobson's Bay. Enterprize is the first square rigged commercial sailing ship to be built in Melbourne for over 120 years. The task of bringing the ship through from keel laying to launching involved six years of dedicated work by a small core group of craftsmen assisted by many volunteers. The final result is a great tribute to their enthusiasm and to the generosity of the many people and organisations who contributed money and materials. Enterprize now gives people of all ages the opportunity to experience life on board a nineteenth century sailing ship.
The Enterprize frequently visits Portarlington.

Bird Watching-Go Birding Tours
Go Birding Tours offers small groups guided tours of significant habitats within the Geelong Otway Region
Visitors are provided with access to one of the most significant bird watching areas of Australia.
You may see the Rufous Bristlebird, or the rare Orange-bellied Parrot as you travel through some of the best scenery in Victoria. Your guide draws on his knowledge of the fauna and flora of the region for more than 20 years, as he introduces you to a wide range of birds, plants and wildlife.
If you require more information or wish to view some of the birdlife of Southern Victoria, visit:
www.gobirding.com.au

Travelling to Portarlington.
Although Portarlington is the shortest point across the water to Melbourne, there is no direct ferry service. For those who wish to sail across the bay and tie up at Portarlington Pier, you may do so. Parks Victoria advise you to tie up on the landside of the inner finger of the Pier. Make sure your craft is tied up well as the strong North West winds could do some damage.

Fresh Mussels
Following the success of the Portarlington Mussel Festival, people have asked where can you buy fresh mussels. You can purchase fresh mussels direct from the boat at Portarlington Pier.
If you are travelling to Portarlington, and are unsure if they will be available,
please phone ahead and speak to Mr Mussel on 0415 333 432

Weddings.
Let Portarlington, and the Bellarine Peninsula celebrate your special day.
Due to the number of inquiries, a wedding page has been included to assist you find the perfect location for that special day.
There are perfect venues complete with beautiful views, local wines and excellent catering facilities available. The owners can design a package to suit any budget, and can link up with marriage celebrants, florists, and local photographers.
Portarlington is the perfect place for the bridal party to stay and relax before the big day. There is suitable accommodation available for the wedding guests to stay, with self contained townhouses, the renovated motel completed with a romantic room, and bed and breakfast places.
Please contact: info@portarlingtontourism.com.au

Portarlington: Mussel Capital of Australia!
The State Government of Victoria has released new aquaculture leases for over 200 hectares of shell fish farming on the Bellarine Peninsula. This will provide the opportunity for the local mussels farmers to become for competitive.
Many locals will recall that Portarlington has a strong fishing history.
During the 1900s many families earnt there living by fishing, and during the depression many families survived on fish, or used fish as a barter system. Then Portarlington had Scallop fishermen, who had there factory on the Portarlington Road where Church by the Bay is located. The Old Mill has some relics from these wonderful days on display such as the long nets with hundreds of hooks placed throughout.
The current mussel leases have been extended for another 21 years, but do not wait that long.
If you visit Portarlington, try some mussels. There are so many ways to cook them.

Meet Stanley my four legged friend.