Classic Mussel Tour
Maximum 12 guests (ages 12+)
$310 per person. All-inclusive.
3 Hour Tour
An immersive cruise through the Portarlington mussel farms, featuring freshly harvested mussels, local wines, cooking demonstrations and stories from the people who grow them.
Step aboard Valerie, our beautifully restored timber vessel, and cruise onto Port Phillip Bay for an immersive look at one of Portarlington’s working mussel farms.
As we travel through Sea Bounty’s farm, you’ll learn how mussels are grown, harvested and cared for, see the ropes lifted from the water and taste just how fresh Portarlington mussels can be.
Along the way, enjoy local Bellarine wines, premium regional produce and mussel cooking demonstrations, with plenty of time to settle in, take in the views and enjoy life on the bay.
More than a sightseeing cruise, it’s a chance to experience Portarlington from the water and connect the seafood on your plate with the people, place and farming story behind it.
- Cruise aboard Valerie through the Portarlington mussel farms
- Immersive mussel farm experience, including seeing the mussel ropes lifted from the water
- Freshly harvested Portarlington mussel tastings
- Mussel cooking demonstrations
- Taste of local Native Angasi oysters
- Local Bellarine produce platters
- Premium Bellarine wines and beers
- Non-alcoholic drinks
- Tea and coffee
- Dessert
- Stories of mussel farming, sustainability and life on Port Phillip Bay
- Maximum 12 guests
Do you accept Companion Card?
Due to the fact that we are very limited in seating capacity ( maximum 12 people), unfortunately we cannnot accept Companion Cards for free travel. Thanks for your understanding
What is your cancellation policy?
- If you need to cancel 14 days or more from date of tour, we will provide a FULL refund
- If you cancel between 13 – 4 days we will refund 50% of the tour fee.
- If you need to cancel or reschedule between 3 – 0 days, 100% tour fee will be us.
- Rescheduling between 13-3 days of the tour will also apply the fees as outlined in cancellations above.
If we need to cancel the tour due to poor weather conditions, we will provide full credit to guest or refund if you cannot find a suitable date to rebook.
If you need to reschedule, there will be an admin fee of $50 pp
Read our full terms and conditions.
What happens if it rains?
If there is rain, we will proceed with the tour. The boat has a very comfortable saloon area and wheel house area, where you can escape the rain and relax. If there is a heavy downpour or it’s too rough on the water, we’ll reschedule your tour and provide a credit for another time.
We do have a direct line with Mother Nature, and we ask her to always be kin
Can I bring kids on board?
If you book a private tour, you are more than welcome to bring children on board. Please get in touch if you’re interested in this option.
On our public tours we can accommodate children with 12+ years, if attending with an adult.
As we are only hold a small and intimate no of guests, we do not offer a child price for tickets.
Can I book a private tour?
Absolutely. We offer private tours for up to 12 people. This includes all the usual tour inclusions but can be customised to your specific needs (additional rates may apply). This is a popular option for corporate functions, birthdays, end of year celebrations or for a bunch of foodie lovers.
Please contact us to chat about your private tour booking.
What do I need to bring on the tour?
Bring a hat and sunglasses for when you might be outdoors. Wear non slip shoes if possible. We do have rugs on board if it is cooler, and we have indoor cabins that can be heated or cooled accordingly.
Bring you camera to take heaps of happy snaps and a sense of humour so you laugh alot at our bad jokes.
Do I need to bring my own food and alcohol?
Absolutley not. Leave the work to us. You won’t go hungry or thirsty. We provide heaps of local produce as well as wine, beer and non-alcoholic beverages. We even show you how to cook our delicious mussels!
Do you cater for different dietary requirements?
We understand how difficult it can be to live with food allergies and intolerances. Before booking your tour with us, please bear in mind that there is limited alterations possible to the menu.
Unfortunately we are unable to cater for Vegan/Vegetarian, FODMAP or severe allergies. We obvioulsy feature a lot of seafood in our tour, as well as other local products which include cheeses, salmon dips and so on.
Please note we have nuts in some of our dishes. If you need to know which nuts, please email to enquire.
Some menu variation may be possible for gluten intolerance. PLEASE ADVISE AT TIME OF BOOKING.
We CANNOT meet Coeliac requirements. We cook and prepare foods in a very small space where there could be a high chance of cross contamination of gluten.
If you do not eat seafood, we suggest that you reflect upon your reservation, but we are also hopeful that we may be able to convince you to try some once you see and experience how fresh and ethical our product is.
If you book a private charter we are happy to discuss some changes within our capabilities.
What if I’m a bit nervous about getting on a boat?
We do stay reasonably close to land and our skipper will always do his best to keep the boat out of the wind as best as possible, but if you do get seasick, we have several quiet spots on board where you can relax with a water or perhaps a ginger tea. If you are prone to motion sickness, please chat to your pharmacist before the tour. We are unable to offer any medications on board.
Do you cater for people with access needs?
The safety of our passengers is our top priority. We will do our best to safely accommodate passengers with access needs. Please contact us so we can talk through your specific requirements. Unfortunately, the trawler boat is not wheelchair friendly.
Can I catch the ferry from Docklands?
Yes absolutely.
We time the start of our tours to line up with the arrival of the ferry that travels daily from Docklands (Melbourne) direct to Portarlington Pier. If you are arriving for our tour via ferry, you will see us immediately upon disembarking at Portarlington. If the ferry is running a bit late, we will always wait for you.
On most occassions, after the tour, you will have some free time to spend in Portarlington after the tour, before the ferry departure. You can re board the ferry from 20 minutes before it departs back to Docklands.
If you miss the ferry, and therefore cannot make it to our tour, we cannot refund you. This is considered a no show.
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Comfort, craftsmanship and unforgettable views.
Lovingly restored from rare Huon pine, our heritage vessel Valerie, provides an intimate and comfortable setting to experience Port Phillip Bay in style.
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A Portarlington Mussel Tours Gift Voucher is more than a present. It's an unforgettable day on the water enjoying freshly harvested seafood, local produce and authentic Bellarine hospitality.
Perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, thank yous or anyone who appreciates great food, wine and memorable experiences.