Situated between Drysdale and Indented Head, Portarlington sits on the very edge of the Bellarine Peninsula and for decades has been one the region's best loved holiday and some-what low key resort towns which is very child friendly with a lovely charm and sandy beside beaches.

The town has a small shopping strip Newcombe Street, with some good restaurants and cafes while the pub has been a favourite for years. Adjacent is a large park and camping area and the famous Portarlington Pier home to the fishing fleet and many a keen angler is only metres away. Portarlington has been attracting visitors and holidaymakers since the late 1900s and is jam packed with campers, caravans, cabins and tents during the summer months.

Portarlington is a great place for camping, a picnic or just a quite spot of fishing off the pier that is located only meters from the Grand Hotel and the restored rotunda. The sandy shores of Port Phillip Bay are an enjoyed by hundreds on a hot day soaking up the sun or having a dip in the quite waters.

Portarlington is home to many of the region's major events, The National Celtic Festival which brings people from all over Australia is held every Queens Birthday weekend in June. Mid January the Mussel Festival is in full swing in the summer sun and a leg of the Bay Cycling Classic is held a week or two earlier in the New Year. The Bellarine Agricultural Show takes place in March while in late summer the waterfront also is home to the Portarlington Triathlon which is one of Australia's longest running and considered one of the best.

A market that is held on the last Sunday of every month during the warmer months is also very popular for both locals and visitors. The market is held in the Primary School grounds on the first Sunday from September to April.