Portland Whale Trail Locations

The Portland Whale Trail links 11 coastal viewing locations around Portland, Cape Nelson and Cape Bridgewater. The self-guided driving trail includes accessible town lookouts, beaches, clifftop vantage points and longer coastal walks.

Southern right whales generally visit between May and October during their annual migration, while blue whales may be seen offshore from November to May during the Bonney Upwelling. Sightings are never guaranteed, so allow time at several locations and bring binoculars.

Portland Whale Trail Locations Map

Whale Trail Locations

1. Dutton Way

A favourite spot for resting whale mothers and calves, just a short five-minute drive along the coastal road north of Portland.

Location: Dutton Way coastal foreshore, Portland North VIC 3305

2. Wade Street Lookout

An all-access, purpose-built whale-viewing platform with free binoculars for visitors to use. One set of binoculars is installed at a lowered height.

Location: Wade Street, Portland VIC 3305

3. Portland Bay - Nuns Beach and Lee Breakwater

These locations provide excellent shore-based whale watching close to the centre of Portland. Vantage points extend from opposite Portland District Health near Nuns Beach to the Lee Breakwater. The viewing areas can be reached by vehicle or on foot.

Location: Nuns Beach near Cliff Street and Lee Breakwater Road, Portland VIC 3305

4. Pivot Beach / Madeira Packet Road

Approximately five minutes south of central Portland, this is a popular viewing area when whales pass the coast while travelling towards or away from the Cape Nelson and Cape Bridgewater areas.

Location: Madeira Packet Road, Portland VIC 3305

5. Point Danger

Follow the road towards the Point Danger Australasian Gannet Colony. A public viewing platform overlooks the colony and ocean. Visitors can also walk west from the car park towards Cape Grant.

Location: Point Danger Road, Portland VIC 3305

6. Cape Grant / Quarry Gates

At the end of Quarry Road, to the left of the quarry gates, there is a secluded car park with excellent views towards Lawrence Rocks. The area is a favourite location for spotting playful whales.

Location: End of Quarry Road, Portland VIC 3305

7. Cape Nelson

An eight-kilometre stretch of clifftop coastline extends from Yellow Rock to Cape Nelson Lighthouse. There are numerous ocean-viewing locations along Cape Nelson Road and Norman Wade Scenic Drive.

Location: Cape Nelson Road and Norman Wade Scenic Drive, Cape Nelson VIC 3305

8. Shelly Beach

Approximately 15 kilometres west of Portland and shortly before Bridgewater Bay, Shelly Beach has a very small car park reached along a narrow access track.

Location: Cape Bridgewater Road, Cape Bridgewater VIC 3305

9. Bridgewater Beach

Approximately 18 kilometres west of Portland, Bridgewater Bay has a magnificent stretch of pristine beach. Its relatively sheltered waters can be a gathering place for whales and the location of mating displays.

Location: Bridgewater Bay Beach, Bridgewater Road, Cape Bridgewater VIC 3305

10. Seal Colony

The Cape Bridgewater Seal Colony Walk climbs from the beach area to a viewing platform overlooking the breeding Australian fur seal colony. The trail offers spectacular clifftop views and opportunities to watch seals from the platform and along the walk.

The current walk is approximately five kilometres return, takes two to two-and-a-half hours and is steep in places. A reasonable level of fitness is required.

Location: Start from the car park approximately 100 metres uphill from Bridgewater Bay Cafe, Bridgewater Road, Cape Bridgewater VIC 3305

11. Blowholes / Petrified Forest

Approximately 20 kilometres west of Portland, the Blowholes car park provides access to the Petrified Forest, coastal walking tracks and ocean lookouts. During summer, this is one of the locations where the elusive blue whale may occasionally be sighted offshore.

Location: Blowholes Road, Cape Bridgewater VIC 3305

What Whale Am I Looking At?

Southern Right Whale Features

Humpback Whale Features

Whale Watching Seasons

Southern right whales: generally May to October
Humpback whales: commonly seen during their annual migration
Blue whales: generally November to May during the Bonney Upwelling
Orcas and other cetaceans may occasionally be recorded

Whale Watching Tips:

Bring binoculars and scan slowly across the water
Look for blows, dorsal fins, tail flukes and unusual splashing
Check several viewing locations because whales continually move along the coast
Remain behind barriers and stay well back from unstable cliff edges
Supervise children closely around beaches, cliffs and viewing platforms
Whale sightings and suitable viewing conditions cannot be guaranteed

Report a Whale Sighting:

Report sightings by calling 1800 035 567.

Recent sightings may be available from Whalemail Portland or the official Whale Mail page.

Further Information:

See the official Portland whale-watching information.