Portland Pelagic

Life Gone Wild runs pelagic birding trips from Portland Harbour in south-western Victoria — Australia's most westerly deep-water Southern Ocean port — heading 30–40 kilometres offshore to the continental shelf. Portland lies at the western extreme of Victoria's coastline, directly exposed to the broad Southern Ocean, and its shelf-edge waters are among the most productive for pelagic seabirds in south-eastern Australia. Berley (fish offal chum) is deployed throughout the day across multiple drift sessions to draw birds alongside the vessel and hold them for extended observation at close range.

The quality of the Portland pelagic is illustrated by a trip run on 26 July 2026, which recorded 17 species in six hours across 61.6 km of sea coverage with ten participants: White-capped Albatross was the most abundant species with a conservative count of 120 birds present at all drifts; Wandering-type Albatrosses (3 individuals in a range of plumages) joined the slick at the second and final drifts, with one landing at the chum; Yellow-nosed Albatross (4), Black-browed and Campbell Albatrosses (10 combined), and a Royal Albatross rounded out an exceptional albatross line-up. Blue Petrel — a prion-like gadfly petrel with white tail tip and dark cap, at its distributional limit here — was bird of the trip. Other highlights included White-headed Petrel (2), Great-winged Petrel (20+), Grey-faced Petrel (2), Cape Petrel, Antarctic and Northern Giant Petrels, and Grey-backed Storm-Petrel (8); Fairy Prions were abundant throughout with a conservative estimate of 500 birds accompanying the vessel.

Year-round productivity from a major deepwater port with direct Southern Ocean exposure, combined with professional guiding and the chumming technique, makes the Portland Pelagic one of the most reliable and accessible entry points to Southern Ocean seabird watching in Victoria. See lifegonewild.au/pelagic for current trip dates and booking information.