Not only is the city of
Portland Victoria’s most westerly coastal town, but it is also home to the only deep-water port between
Melbourne and
Victoria. The town has a long and proud
maritime history and it was the first permanent settlement in the southern state, founded in 1834. The
Portland Maritime Discovery Centre is worth a visit, as it is the home of a 13 m sperm whale skeleton, as well as the lifeboat used to rescue dozens of sailors from the sinking “Admella” which perished off the coast in 1859. The lighthouse at Cape Nelson, some 11 km south-west of Portland, offers magnificent views on to the waters of the
Southern Ocean. It is a popular spot for watching sunsets in the region.