Quick Details
Portarlington Mussel Tours
Classic Mussel Tour Including Return Ferry
An intimate boat tour that celebrates Portarlington Mussels
Take the ferry direct from Docklands to Portarlington in only 70 minutes. When you arrive you’ll step straight off one boat and onto another one called Valerie, a fully refurbished 40-year-old mussel vessel that will take you out on the bay for a luxurious and unique coastal experience.
When you head out of the harbour you”ll be sipping on a local Bellarine wine and learning about the various stages of mussel farming from our mussel farmer Lance Wiffen. Touch the mussel ropes as they’re pulled from the water and get a front row seat to the whole farming process.
Cooking demonstrations and tastings will introduce you to delicious mussel recipes that you can savour alongside premium local produce. With a small number of participants and a spacious vessel, there’ll always be a quiet spot to relax on the decks or the saloon if you simply want to chill out.
The total focus is your ultimate enjoyment. You’ll walk away with a new appreciation of the humble mussel, a deep understanding of sustainable aquaculture, and lasting memories of a great day on the bay. If you happen to spy a few dolphins or make some new friends, then that’s an added bonus!
Tour Details
- Ferry departs Docklands at 9.30 am weekdays and 10.40 am weekends
- Ferry returns to Melbourne somewhere around 5 or 6 pm, depending on the day and season.
- The Portarlington Mussel Tour is approximately 3 hours
- An hour or so of free time is available to take a walk down the main street of Portarlington before returning to Melbourne
- Mussel Tours depart from Portarlington Pier (right next to the ferry berth)
- Maximum of 12 people (over 12+ years only)
What’s included?
- Return ferry tickets from Docklands
- Three hour boat tour on the bay
- Meet the mussel farmer with a front row seat to the farming process
- Local Bellarine produce platters to enjoy while on board
- Local Bellarine wines or beers
- Cooking demonstrations and tastings of delicious mussel recipes
- Our own native oysters available for tastings
- Tea / Coffee & Dessert and non alcoholic drinks available
- Sightseeing around Port Phillip Bay
The beautiful mussel vessel has been fully refurbished and is very comfortable, with indoor and outdoor seating, heating and cooling, and a bathroom thats worth taking a selfie in! We cruise fairly close to shore, and enjoy many wonderful sights from that vantage point.
Cannot wait to welcome you on board!
Larger Groups
Larger group and corporate bookings can be accommodated if there are more than 50 passengers and requests are sent well in advance of the booking date. Portarlington Mussel Tours are a third party product so Port Phillip Ferries we will need to work with the operator to accommodate your request and will be based on availability. Please fill out the form below with all your details and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Click here to inquire about large group bookings >>