🔍

Portsea

VIC 3944 • Victoria

787
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
11.33 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
BeachsidePrestigeCoastalTourist HubRetiree-Haven
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About Portsea

Portsea is an exclusive seaside suburb at the western tip of Victoria's Mornington Peninsula, approximately 60 kilometres south-west of Melbourne CBD within the Shire of Mornington Peninsula. With a 2021 Census population of 787 residents occupying 328 dwellings across just 11 square kilometres, it is a compact yet highly prestigious locality with one of the highest average household incomes in Australia. The suburb sits on Port Phillip Bay with its locality boundaries extending to the Bass Strait coastline near Point Nepean, offering residents a rare dual-ocean setting at the peninsula's dramatic tip.

Portsea is renowned as a summer playground for Melbourne's affluent, with the iconic Portsea Hotel, Portsea Back Beach (famed for surf and strong tides), and world-class scuba diving at Portsea Pier — home to spectacular weedy sea dragons. The adjacent Point Nepean National Park provides breathtaking walking trails along the peninsula's tip, steeped in history including the famous site near Cheviot Beach where Prime Minister Harold Holt disappeared in 1967. Adjacent to Sorrento, the suburb draws a mix of holidaymakers, retirees, and wealthy permanent residents who prize its unspoiled coastal scenery, relaxed village atmosphere, and proximity to some of Victoria's finest marine environments.

Portsea falls under postcode 3944 and is governed by the Mornington Peninsula Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Flinders, while state elections fall under the Nepean (Eastern Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3944
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Mornington Peninsula
Federal Electorate
Flinders
State Electorate
Nepean (Eastern Victoria)
Type
Locality
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-38.32°, 144.69°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
11.33 km²
Population Density
69 /km²
Elevation
0m

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🏷️ Property Prices June quarter 2025

Median sale prices in Portsea for the June quarter 2025. Median sale prices published by the Valuer-General Victoria.

🏡House
$2.83M
6 sales · ▼ 0.2% YoY

Source: Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report. Medians are for the latest quarter; the change shown is the official 12-month movement. Suburbs with very few sales in a quarter can be volatile.

💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 3944

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 3944 for the 2023–24 financial year (2019–20 data not published for this postcode).

Median 2019–20
N/A
Median 2023–24
$75,809
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$321,988

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 3944; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Portsea–Sorrento bus (Peninsula Bus Lines) — Sorrento / Rosebud / Frankston 5 min to Sorrento, ~90 min to Frankston

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
100 km
By Train
No direct train; drive or bus to Frankston, then Frankston Line to Flinders Street (~45 min from Frankston)
By Car (Peak)
1 hr 30 min – 2 hr
By Car (Off-Peak)
1 hr – 1 hr 20 min

🛣️ Mornington Peninsula Freeway and Nepean Highway are the main routes; ferry from Sorrento to Queenscliff is another option

Walkability Car-Dependent

Basic amenities accessible near the main street, but most residents rely on a car for everyday errands and commuting

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

No schools listed for this postcode.

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
787
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Mornington Peninsula Local Government Area, which contains Portsea. Rates are per 100,000 residents for the year ending September 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.

Break & enter (dwelling)
529.6 / 100k
2yr Up 59.3% 10yr Down 17.4%
Motor vehicle theft
277.9 / 100k
2yr Up 159.9% 10yr Up 83.2%
Non-FV assault
221.5 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
1.7 / 100k
2yr Down 50.5% 10yr Up 181.7%
Steal from vehicle
790 / 100k
2yr Up 77.7% 10yr Up 30.9%
View all offence subgroups for Mornington Peninsula →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Portsea known for? +

Portsea is famous for its prestige coastal lifestyle, Portsea Back Beach surfing, world-class scuba diving at Portsea Pier, and the adjacent Point Nepean National Park. It is also historically noted as the location near where Prime Minister Harold Holt disappeared in December 1967.

How far is Portsea from Melbourne CBD? +

Portsea is approximately 60 kilometres south-west of Melbourne's CBD, roughly a 1 hour to 1 hour 20 minute drive off-peak via the Mornington Peninsula Freeway and Nepean Highway.

Does Portsea have public transport? +

Peninsula Bus Lines services connect Portsea to Sorrento and beyond towards Frankston, where travellers can connect to the Frankston train line into Melbourne. There is no rail service on the peninsula tip itself, making a car the most practical option for residents.

What is the population of Portsea? +

At the 2021 Census, Portsea had a population of 787 residents. The population swells significantly during summer school holidays when Melbourne families flock to the peninsula.

Is Portsea a good place to live? +

Portsea offers one of Australia's most coveted coastal lifestyles — pristine beaches, national park access, and a relaxed village atmosphere. It suits affluent retirees, holiday homeowners, and those who can work remotely, though it is far from Melbourne and entirely car-dependent for daily life.

What is the postcode for Portsea? +

The postcode for Portsea, Victoria is 3944.

What is the median house price in Portsea? +

As of June quarter 2025, the median house price is $2,825,000, down 0.2% year-on-year. Figures are based on Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report.

Is Portsea a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Portsea is part of the Mornington Peninsula LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.