Portland is Victoria's birthplace by the sea. In 1834, Victoria's first European settlement was established in Portland.

The town's historic past is to thank for the hundreds of historic buildings scattered throughout the coastal town, many of which date back to the early 1800's. A self-guided 2 hour 'Historic Buildings Walk' takes in many of these magnificent buildings.
True to its roots, Portland is rich in maritime history, much of which can be uncovered at Portland's Maritime Discovery Centre. This centre, which has been built alongside a shipwreck on Portland's foreshore, showcases numerous maritime artifacts, as well as highlighting the many ships that came to grief as a result of the unforgiving Southern Ocean.

Indigenous History
The Gunditjmara are the Aboriginal people of Portland and surrounding area. For more than 17,000 years, Gunditjmara people have transformed the region into a significant cultural landscape that is recognised around the world as one of the oldest examples of permanent Aboriginal settlement. Gunditjmara constructed permanent stone houses, eel traps and canals from the lava flows from Mt Eccles and Mt Napier. The remaining sites are located around the district, in particular Lake Condah and Tyrendarra. Gunditjmara people still care for the country today.
With European settlement imposing on Gunditjmara culture, lifestyle and landscapes, the Anglican Church established Lake Condah Aboriginal Mission in 1867. The Mission closed in the early 1900s and today, the site tells a story of dispossession, hardship, survival and reconciliation.

Early Europeans - The Whalers
In 1800 Lieutenant James Grant charted the south western coastline of Victoria. Sighting the area from the 'Lady Nelson', he named Portland Bay after the English Secretary of State, the Duke of Portland.
The first European settlers were sealers and whalers who established a shore based whaling industry. William Dutton built a hut and established a garden in the early 1830's. At that time Portland Bay was one of the best whale areas in the world.

Permanent European Settlement
The permanent settlement of Victoria began at Portland Bay when Edward Henty arrived on the 19th November 1834 from Tasmania. A grazier, Henty was later followed by his brothers. Although the Hentys were farmers, they did have an investment in the whaling industry.
The first piece of soil to be turned was on the 6th December 1834 at the Ploughed Field (opposite the Portland Hospital). Edward's first home - a hut, was in the vicinity of the present day Richmond Henty Hotel-Motel. In 1856 Edward built Burswood which is currently operating as a bed and breakfast facility.
Government interference began in 1840 with the future town of Portland being surveyed by C.J.Tyers. The first land sale was held on 10th October 1840, in Melbourne. Town lots were bought up to 506 pounds, the average price being 300 pounds. Land sales resulted in a building boom, absorbing all available labour for a number of years. Between 1840 and 1842 four hotels and two churches were established. The first trading bank appeared in 1846 and the Savings Bank in 1847.
For a number of years leading up to the Victorian gold rush, Portland vied with Melbourne for the status of major settlement of the southern region. Having 'lost' the battle with Melbourne, Portland has steadily developed over the past 169 years.

Mary Mackillop
The Blessed Mary MacKillop came to Portland in late 1862 to work as a governess for a local family, the Camerons. In 1863 she took up salaried employment at Common School No. 510 in Bentinck Street, now All Saints Primary School. At the end of 1863 Mary decided to set up a boarding school for girls in a stone cottage known as 'Seaview", which is now inside the brick building of Bayview College. Upon leaving Portland in 1866, Mary ventured to Penola to pioneer and establish the first Australian religious order, the Sisters of St. Joseph.