Portland

17 – 21 November 2024

Portland was chosen as our next destination because of the gannet colony just out of town. We have been there before and Mick was keen to revisit the area. We checked into the cabin in the caravan park just on lunch time and settled in as the wind started to pick up. We felt we had made the right decision when we later saw that there had been wind gusts of over 80kph recorded. It was strong enough to shake the cabin.

We stayed indoors for the afternoon and made plans for the next day. With better weather forecast we decided to move on to another caravan park in Portland which we’d been to before and had nicer surroundings. Again, I called ahead to check on the possibility of an early check-in and were advised we could come in after 10:00am which worked out really well.

Although the weather had improved it was really cold and drizzly so we decided on lunch at a pub. Mick asked in the office and Mac’s Hotel was suggested. It turned out to be a fabulous suggestion as there was a very large list of lunch specials at around $16 each. We haven’t seen value like that in a long time. The meals were a good size and very tasty – so good in fact that we went back a couple of days later!

Last time we visited Portland it was necessary to arrange a visit to the gannet colony with a volunteer (through the Visitor Information Centre) but since then, regular nightly tours have been made available. All you have to do it be at the gate at Point Danger by 5.25pm. A local volunteer guide allows access to the site and provides an introduction and answers any questions while viewing and photographing the birds. We went each night for three nights and Mick took lots of photos. I used binoculars to get a better view of a couple of the newly hatched chicks. Even though it was very cold and windy, it was absolutely worth the effort.

Point Danger is home to Australia's
only mainland gannet colony

We spent some time wandering around the town and took a drive to the waterfront and also to Fawthrop Lagoon for a walk – and a spot of birdwatching. There’s lots to do in Portland but the questionable weather had us staying close to home for much of the time.

Once again we checked the weather forecast before moving on and were unsure what to do. We had booked a few nights at Cape Otway National Park but there was the possibility of up to 20mm of rain – not ideal in a bush campground. 

By chance Mick had a call from another birding friend who was heading up to Deniliquin in NSW for a few days. The weather was certainly better – although hotter – there and Tony was happy for Mick to join their guided tour so a decision was made to cancel Cape Otway and head to Deniliquin.