Search car rental at Portland Airport

When most people think of Victoria, it’s Melbourne that springs to mind. But one of the state’s best little secrets lies to well to the west, less than an hour from the South Australia border. Portland was the first settlement founded by Europeans when they came to Victoria and today is a charming coastal city known for its fishing, whale watching and tours of nearby aboriginal sites. But when you pick up a car hire at Portland Airport, both Victoria and South Australia become your playground. Down the coast to the east is the world famous Great Ocean Drive, and if you’re prepared to set out on even more ambitious road trips, Adelaide and Melbourne lie open to you.

Of course, if you don’t have your own transport it’ll cramp your style pretty badly. Searching through a procession of hire sites trying to sort out your car rental in Portland, Victoria can be a real hassle but you can save yourself a decent whack of time just by using AirportRentals.com.au. This effectively cuts out the middleman and lets you browse and book from a massive selection of rental brands and vehicle types, so you can get the best possible deal with the least trouble.

Booking a Portland Car Hire

Sorting out a car hire from Portland Airport in Victoria is actually really straightforward when you’re booking through AirportRentals.com.au. All you have to do is type in a couple of basic details like where/when you’re planning to pick up/drop off and then hit Search. You’ll then have a whole bunch of great car rental deals from a range of different suppliers to choose from. Filter a little to narrow down your options and you’ll soon find a deal that’s perfect for your trip. You won’t even have to leave the site to finish your booking, which will only take a few minutes to complete. 

Car Hire Brands at Portland Airport

When you’re picking your car hire from Portland Airport, Victoria, you can select from some of the world’s most trusted car rental brands. Avis, Hertz and Thrifty all rent cars out of Portland Airport, and are all well trusted suppliers.

Portland Airport Information

Portland Airport isn’t located in the city of Portland itself, but 13 kilometres northwest of Portland in Cashmore. This is one of only three airports in Victoria (outside of Melbourne) to offer regular passenger services, making it the main gateway to the southwestern side of the state. The airport had quite a bit of money poured into it starting in 2009 to bring it up to scratch - the works were completed in 2014. 

Driving in Portland and beyond

When it comes to road rules, driving in and around Portland is pretty much the same as driving anywhere else in the country. Of course, if you’re new to driving in Australia there’s one important thing to know before you hit the road: Australians drive on the left hand side of the road. Even though this is the opposite side to what most of the world is used to, making the switch isn’t really too tricky. Remember to be careful around intersections and you should be driving like a born Aussie in no time. Just in case you’re in need of any more tips, check out our Australia driving guide for the lowdown on hitting the road in Oz.

Getting from Portland Airport to the CBD

Driving from Portland Airport into the city centre is fairly straightforward, though a little further than you might expect. It’ll take around 20 minutes or so to make the trip, maybe a bit longer if you’re travelling during peak traffic. Head north out of the airport, then turn right on Bridgewater Lakes Road (which shortly becomes Heath Road). This will take you right through to the C192, which in turn runs into the A200 - this will deposit you right in the heart of Portland.

Road rules

As we said before, road rules around Portland, and the state of Victoria in general, are pretty similar to just about everywhere else in Australia. Most of the time when you’re in a built up urban/suburban area, the speed limit will be 50 km/h, but this is just the default - always be aware of speed limit signs which could signal a change in speed limit for various reasons. Likewise, outside of built up areas, the default limit is 100 km/h. When it comes to drinking and driving, the state of Victoria has very little tolerance. The legal blood alcohol limit is just 0.05, which could put you over the limit after just a drink or two, so if you’ve had anything to drink it’s best to let someone else do the driving. And remember, if you’re on a learner or provisional licence, the tolerance is absolutely nil.

Portland Petrol Stations

You can drive your car hire away from Portland Airport without worrying about the nearest petrol station, as car rentals usually come supplied with a full fuel tank. Before you drop off your keys at the end of your trip though, you’ll need to top up the tank to full again. There are a handful of petrol stations in Portland for you to choose from: Portland Service Centre and Alexander C Stores on Henty Highway are two stations relatively close to the airport.

Road trips from Portland

No matter why you’re in Portland, try to set aside some time get out of town and explore the city’s amazing surroundings. Victoria’s coast in particular has some incredible road trip opportunities, so don’t leave before discovering some of the world class destinations on display. 

● The Great Ocean Road (Extended)

Officially, the Great Ocean Road runs between Torquay and Allansford, but that’s a pretty short trip all things considered, and there’s plenty more stunning coastal locations to uncover on either side of the famous route, so travelling from Portland to Geelong with the Great Ocean Road as the centrepiece of your trip is an ideal solution. If for some reason you’ve never heard about the Great Ocean Road, just know that this is internationally recognised as one of the most beautiful coastal road trip routes in the world. The Twelve Apostles (towering pillars of limestone which jut out of the sea) are the most iconic highlights of the Road, but there’s enough here to keep travellers fascinated for days. 

● Portland to Adelaide

There are a couple of different ways to tackle this trip to South Australia’s capital city. One option is heading inland a bit to visit Mount Gambier and see the stunning Blue Lake, relax in the Cave Gardens or indulge your adventurous side with a bit of underground diving in Engelbrecht Cave. Then drive on to sample cab savs at the cellar doors of Coonawarra. Otherwise, you could stick to the seaside and make for Robe across the border in South Australia, passing through idyllic fishing towns on the Limestone Coast along the way. Either way, you’ll want to head toward the gorgeous Fleurieu Peninsula before finally arriving in Adelaide - whether you’re sighting little penguins, swimming at one of the peninsula’s pristine beaches or experiencing the foodie culture firsthand, this is one stop you won’t want to skip.

● Portland to Melbourne

If you’re keen to really stretch your road tripping legs and explore one of the world’s most exciting cities into the bargain, head east along the coast to take in the Great Ocean Road (because you’d be mad to miss it) but instead of stopping at Torquay or Geelong, keep heading east for the cultural capital of Australia: Melbourne. You’ll want to set aside at least a few days, maybe as much as a week, just to enjoy Melbourne’s attractions. Whether you’re exploring the city’s laneways for their amazing street art, browsing the huge Queen Victoria Market or getting close to koalas and penguins on Phillip Island, a visit to Melbourne is a brilliant way to round off any road trip in Victoria.

Portland Airport Car Rental Pick Up Depots

All of the rental brands at Portland Airport have rental desks in-terminal, which makes picking up your car hire super simple. Although there are only three car hire brands operating out of Portland Airport, Victoria, these three suppliers are some of the world’s most trusted brands: Avis, Hertz and Thrifty. 

Portland Airport Accommodation

There’s no denying that the country around Portland is full of road trip opportunities, but sometimes you don’t have time for all that, and just need some wheels to get around town and a convenient place to stay when the sun goes down. Mariner Motel is known for its bargain prices, but many visitors have reported that it also has surprisingly comfortable and clean rooms. Annesley House offers a bit of character if you’re looking more than just a generic motel room, with apartments set in a beautiful old house. Those who really want to make the most of a short stay in Portland might want to consider Lorelei Bed and Breakfast, a lovely little place with a fantastic host.

Portland Events

One way to instantly bump your Portland trip from middling to amazing is getting involved in one or more of the local events while you’re in town. If you happen to be in Portland for Australia Day toward the end of January, make sure to check out the Portland Great Aussie Pie Challenge. With categories for fruit pies, aussie meat pies, home cooks and professional chefs, there’s all kinds of pieish goodness on display. Live music and entertainment round off a day that will be as delicious as it is fun.

Every year in spring, the town of Portland celebrates its connection to the sea with the Upwelling Festival. Off the coast of Portland, spring winds act as a catalyst for a remarkable natural occurrence known as the Bonney Upwelling. Krill becomes much more abundant, which in turn sparks a sea life explosion. The Upwelling Festival is held in honour of this oceanic bounty and includes a market, a parade, live entertainment and the annual blessing of the fleet. 

Another spring event you’ll want to consider, especially if you’ve got kids along for the ride, is the Portland Spring Fair. This is an old fashioned kind of fair, complete with kids rides, food vendors, a swap meet and a vehicle parade, and makes for a fantastic day out for the whole family.

Recreational tuna fishing is a big deal in Portland, which might explain why the Portland Tuna Fishing Competition can offer more than $10,000 in cash prizes. Although most competitors will have their own boat, this doesn’t stop you from heading over to Portland’s Yacht Club to catch the weekend weigh-ins of the massive bluefin tuna. 

Food & Wine

Portland might be a relatively small city but there are still some excellent places to indulge in really good food here. Options range all the way from haute cuisine, to authentic ethnic foods, to simple but tasty light meals, so don’t be afraid to explore a bit and satisfy your foodie cravings in Portland.

If you’re prepared to splurge a bit on exceptional dining, Clock by the Bay is definitely the way to go. Even the venue is all charm, a grand two-story building with arched windows and a terraced balcony. The menu is inspired by French cuisine but it also has a strong focus on including local produce as much as possible. 

A little less pricey than Clock by the Bay, Edwards Waterfront does breakfast, lunch and and dinner, so no matter what time of day you’re craving quality dining, Edwards has you sorted. This is still definitely a classy establishment, so it’s not cheap but the food is well worth it.

If it’s just a casual light meal you’re after, one of the most well loved cafes in Portland is Lido Larder. Offering sea view dining and fresh food baked on the premises every day, Lido specialises in doing simple food really well and has a reputation for friendly, on the ball service.

On the wine front, Portland is set in the Henty Wine Region, an area known for producing aromatic whites, intense reds and luscious dessert wines. There are nine different cellar doors in the region, giving wine lovers quite a generous selection to choose from. You’ll have to take a bit of a drive to get around to the different wineries, but this is easy when you’ve got a Portland car rental - just make sure to sort out who’s sober driving before you set out. Crawford River is the closest cellar door to Portland, a little under an hour away, but Suffoir is also relatively close by. Basalt Wines and Nappa Merri can be found eastward down the coast, and could make a great stop on the way to the Great Ocean Road.

Geography, Culture & People

Almost all of Australia’s cities are located on the coast but Portland in particular has a very old fashioned relationship with the sea. The fishing industry is an extremely important part of the city’s economy, which is why the Bonney Upwelling (mentioned in the Events section above) is such an important part of Portland’s calendar. 

While bigger cities can boast cultural institutions like symphony orchestras and professional theatre companies, Portland’s arts scene is more low key but no less vibrant. This is a city with a diverse community of artists, from potters and painters to cinematographers and print-makers. The Portland Art Centre, on the corner of Glenelg and Bentinck Streets, is one of the best places to go to see this community in action. 

The people of Portland are predominantly of Western European heritage, with English, Irish, Scottish and German all featuring prominently in residents’ ancestry.

Attractions

Planning your journey around one of Portland’s annual events will certainly add some flavour to your trip but it’s just not always possible to adjust your schedule like that. Fortunately, Portland has plenty of things to see and do all year round. 

Taking a ride on the Portland Cable Trams gives visitors a great way to get an overview of the city’s attractions. A knowledgeable conductor will treat you to interesting tidbits of info along the way and you can even stop off at different places along the way to get a closer look. This is a good one to try out right at the start of your trip, because it’ll give you the chance to figure out which other attractions you’d like to get a closer look at.

If you’re keen to stretch your legs and spend some time in the great outdoors, the Great South West Walk awaits you. This 250 km bushwalking trail begins and ends at the Portland Visitor Information Centre and winds its way through three different national parks, next to expansive sand dunes and aboriginal heritage sites, beside freshwater lakes and rugged cliffs. Of course, tackling a 250 km walk can be a little intimidating, so fortunately there are fifteen different shorter sections to choose from that will give you a taste of what the Great South West Walk can offer.

History House will have you delving into Portland’s past - set in the historic Portland Town Hall built in 1863, visitors can discover the stories of early whalers and sealers, the first plough ever to turn Victorian soil and a fragment from the tree that a pioneering surveyor used to record the town’s coordinates. 

Before you leave, consider taking a tour of Cape Nelson Lighthouse. This is one of the oldest operational lighthouses in the state of Victoria, and the views from the top are absolutely stunning. There’s even a cafe nearby where you can pick up a bite to eat when you’re done admiring the vistas. 

Public transport

Considering that you’ll be picking up a car rental from Portland Airport, Victoria, public transport may not even be something you need to consider. Just in case though, Portland Bus Lines offer an alternative way to get around the city if you don’t want to drive yourself around.

Weather

Portland enjoys relatively mild weather all year round. Unlike Australia’s more tropical destinations, summer is pretty dry with temperatures that tend to top out around the low 20’s. Winter brings a lot more rain but extreme cold is rare, with temperatures usually only getting down to about 5 degrees at the chilliest.