About

History of the festival

The Portarlington Mussel Festival began as a small street festival in 2007, created to celebrate and promote the local mussel industry. Today, it has grown into one of Victoria’s most popular food and wine festivals, welcoming over 30,000 visitors each year to enjoy live music all day, hundreds of market stalls, and a whole lot of delicious mussels.

Run entirely by a passionate team of volunteers, the festival has returned more than $230,000 to the local region — and it continues to grow year after year.

Set against the picturesque backdrop of Portarlington Beach, this one-day festival is the perfect reason to explore the Bellarine Peninsula this summer. Even better, you can leave the car at home and catch the ferry running directly between Docklands and Portarlington.

For an entry fee of just $10 per adult (children under 16 are free), you’ll enjoy a full day of entertainment and activities, including:

  • Live music across three stages
  • Mussels cooked in a variety of mouth-watering styles
  • Kids’ activities
  • Cooking demonstrations
  • Art exhibitions
  • Beer and wine tasting
  • Over 200 market stalls

Best of all, all profits from entry fees are reinvested back into the local region.

Join us at WG Little Reserve in the heart of Portarlington from 9:30am to 5:00pm. 

The Mussel Industry

What began with just a handful of farmers in 1982 has grown into a thriving industry, with over 20 mussel farms now operating in Port Phillip Bay.

The most commonly farmed variety is the blue mussel — prized for its sweet flavour, high protein content, and low fat. Mussels are also incredibly versatile, easy to prepare, and one of the most affordable seafood options available, making them a popular choice for home cooks and chefs alike.

A Labour of Love

Mussel farming is highly labour-intensive and heavily influenced by the weather. When conditions allow, boats can operate seven days a week, carrying out everything from spat collection and socking to harvesting and equipment maintenance.

Whether you’re cooking up a quick weeknight meal or hosting a summer seafood feast, fresh Portarlington mussels are a delicious, sustainable, and budget-friendly option.