The fascinating town of Portland in Victoria is allegedly the first permanent colonisation in the state. Because of that it has of course a very rich cultural heritage. As an example you will discover over two hundred historical buildings dating back to around the eighteen hundreds.
There is a long history of seafaring, dating back to the old whalers and sealers who frequented the safe harbour offered from the frequent boisterous storms. The town is blessed with a safe deep-water harbour.
There is a fascinating maritime centre in the town, which offers tourists terrific displays of historical artefacts. You will discover the skeletal remains of sperm whales shipwreck exhibits and even a shark showcase. There is a variety of intriguing exhibits, including the original Portland lifeboat dating from the eighteen fifties. Many of the displays are interactive too, making then ideal for kids of every age! All tourism enquiries, Portland accommodation requirements and transit jaunts etc. Are dealt with at the centre.
The waterfront is a hive of activity; early morning fishing fleets bringing in the fresh catches, and vessels from all around the world loading on tons of locally produced produce. Many times local citizens and visitors alike can be seen exploring the foreshore, hoping (at least in the winter months) to catch a glimpse of the giant whales that often pay a visit. Yes, busy is the word!
The entire region offers an enormous array of facilities to its lucky visitors. A very popular draw is the Great South West Walk. It starts and ends in the town. The pathways reach out into the interior for more than 150 miles. There are long and short hiking trails, and plenty of camping facilities on the way. You will encounter verdant woodland, winding rivers, mountains and shorelines. Local artists and galleries sponsor one unusual walk.
Portland has an excellent cable tram service, and there is a rail terminal at the corner of Henty Park by the Depot Museum. There is a very scenic trip you can take all around the metropolis and area, taking in arboretums and world war two lookout towers near the Nautical Centre.
The local arts centre has a gallery and theatre boasting frequent visiting and local productions. The cultural diversity of this region is immense. Musicians, Quilters, Painters, Potters, are all to be seen trading their wares here. No problem deciding on a gift for a loved one then!
The Arts Company is located on Julia Street in newly renovated offices. You will be able to visit the artisans at work in adjacent workshops if you wish. The aforesaid Maritime Centre, incidentally, can help you prepare your travel itinerary to visit all the areas must see attractions; cruising the harbour, fishing, canoeing, mountain-biking and horse riding, to name but a few.
There is a captivating European Immigration-settlements display at the centre, showing in great detail the routes our ancestors took from all over Europe to settle in Oz.Portland is a reminder of the regions heritage and rich past, a heritage that continues into this present day. Should you be contemplating settling or buying a vacation home in this lovely place, you will find excellent properties here.
Visited by some 3.5 million tourists every year, Phillip Island in Australia is a great holiday destination. The island is 140 km from the city of Melbourne, in Victoria. There’s no problem when it comes to Phillip Island accommodation as there are numerous types of excellent facilities. These include B&Bs, resorts, hotels, apartments, holiday parks, camp sites, cottages, or caravan parks.
The toxin-covered tentacles of the Box Jellyfish can stop human cardio-respiratory function in about three minutes. Found around the Great Barrier Reef, jellyfish cause more deaths in Australia than snakes, sharks and salt water crocodiles. 
Found in the shallow waters of Australia’s reefs, the Blue Ring Octopus has a golf-ball sized body, and venom that can cause motor paralysis leading to cardiac arrest and death for which there is no known antidote. The Blue Ring Octopus, so-called for its blue ring markings, is both beautiful and deadly. 
Lurking in the shallow waters of coastal Australia is the brownish-colored Stonefish, which appears to be a rock when in the water. Its thirteen sharp dorsal spines inject venom causing shock, paralysis, and even death. 
Found across Australia, the Red Back Spider hides in common insect spots. Only about 1 centimeter long and recognizable by a red stripe down her back, the female Red Back’s venomous bite causes acute pain, but fortunately deaths by Red Spider bite are rare. 
The Brown Snake, found mainly in Eastern Australia, is famous for its deadly venom. Seeking treatment quickly is vital to survival after a Brown Snake bite. 
For any family vacation, it is important to offer the best of both worlds: relaxation and history. Every hard Sydney or Melbourne city worker deserves a week or two every year to rest and unwind, release the built up stress from the 9 to 5 work week, but the kids need to be entertained as well. Luckily, the small fishing town of Mallacoota offers something for everyone, a combination of historical aspects surrounded by panoramic landscape.
Daylesford, Victoria has a long list of accolades associated with it. Home of the oldest Italian building in all of Australia, this popular vacation town is nestled in the foothills of Australia’s Great Dividing Range, right next to over half of Australia’s supply of mineral water. In the 1800s, mineral water was definitely not what brought people to town, though; instead, it was the gold rush, which managed to build Daylesford into the quiet town that it is today. But where other bustling villages became ghost towns, Daylesford’s mineral water and ideal location allowed it to survive and continue prospering well into today.
If the daily 9 to 5 grind in Sydney or Melbourne is starting to take its toll, then it might be time to head out on the Princess Highway to Mallacoota, an isolated paradise, and not just for golfers.