Portland is one of the oldest European settlement in the state. One of Victoria’s first Europeans, James Blackman, settled at Portland in NSW in 1820. The town of Portland is of interest as an historic mining town, and also as the place of the first cement factory in Australia. 

James Blackman A Road Surveyor- The First European Of Portland

Overtime the city has undergone rapid development and modernization which has lead to both people and food to change while somethings maybe in the past but it is great to be relived and experienced again.

In 2001, Ron Bidwell, a signwriter by trade, together with his fellow “Letterheads” recreated vintage signs dating from 1895 to 1945 on local shop walls. ‘Painting Portland’ was a project initiated by Ron Bidwell and completed during the Letterheads Wallnuts Weekend, in 2001. Thirty-four signwriters travelled to Portland to work with locals to restore and reproduce advertising used in the early part of the 20th century. Goanna Salve, Kinkara Tea, Bushell’s Tea, Mother’s Choice Flour, Uncle Toby’s Oats, Arnott’s Biscuits, Toohey’s Flag Ale, Solvol, Federal Safety Matches and Swagsman Blend Tea are a selection from the colourful Signs of Yesteryear. For the last 20 years the Portland Wallnuts continue to gather in Portland NSW on the last weekend in October every year, to celebrate the achievements of previous years and continue on the Tradition of Traditional Signwriting. In the last 20 years more than 200 signwriters from around the world have donated their time in painting more than 280 signs in Keeping the Signs of Yesteryear alive.

Thus we bring to you items such as Apple Charlotte, Anzac, Ham & Cheese Croissant, The Portland Pie and many more!