Town by town snapshot- Portarlington

The size of Portarlington is approximately 24.8 square kilometres and has 12 parks covering nearly 5.4 per cent of total area.

The population of Portarlington in 2016 was 3,618 and by the 2021 Census the population was 5,994 showing a population growth of 65% in the area during that time.

Portarlington has become another one of the Bellarine’s favoured destinations, as such the population has swelled since the last Census with today’s resident population punching its way to surpass 6,000.

The town has transformed from a coastal hamlet dominated by holiday homes with stalwart local home owners being in the minority, to a town where both young families and retirees want to call home.

One of the factors contributing to the town popularity is the daily ferry service which Port Phillip Ferries offer with two separate daily services between both Docklands and Portarlington; and Docklands and Geelong.

Located on the north-east side of the Bellarine Peninsula, Portarlington’s naming is a little obscure, possibly it was named after Portarlington in Ireland, a market town south-west of Dublin.

Surveyed town lots were first sold in Portarlington in 1851, about eight years after Anne Drysdale settled at nearby Drysdale on her pastoral run.

 

The Bellarine Peninsula was an early agricultural region for cereal crops, and later for hay, onions, peas and potatoes.

Portarlington’s first public jetty was opened in 1859, lengthened into deeper water in 1870 and rebuilt a few years later.

CoreLogic data indicates that the predominant age group in Portarlington is 49-59 years with households in Portarlington being a mix of young families childless couples and are likely to be repaying $1,400-$1,799 per month on mortgage repayments, and in general, people in Portarlington work in a professional occupation.

 

AGENT PERSPECTIVE:

“This summer has seen Portarlington further evolve into a true Victorian tourist hotspot.

“Numbers in town are unprecedented and new offerings such as the Portarlington Food Park, the renovated Grand Hotel and the wineries proving to be incredibly popular.

“The real estate market is certainly active with buyers out in force in January.

“We expect another solid year, despite the challenging interest rate environment, as Portarlington continues its rise as one of Victoria’s premiere destinations.”

Luke Campbell – Director, Neville Richards Real Estate

 

TIDBIT: Surveyed town lots were first sold in Portarlington in 1851.