A 15 minute walk east from the end of the Portarlington Pier will bring you to Steeles Rock, a relatively shallow swimming cove and boat jetty. The Bellarine Coastal Trail in this direction is a wide and mostly flat track which meanders along the edge of Port Phillip Bay with stunning views of Melbourne across the water.
Public toilets are available at this site. A short distance further on is a memorial to Matthew Flinders, commemorating the site where he camped with his crew of HMS Investigator in 1802. Flinders named this coast Indented Head.
A popular scenic ride follows The Esplanade from Portarlington towards Indented Head (6.7km) and St Leonards (10km). Ride on the road or the walking track. See the wreck of the paddlesteamer Edina at Indented Head and the iconic St Leonards Pier. Refreshment locations are available at Indented Head, St Leonards and Portarlington