Havent been to Port Melbourne as Yet...But...according to numerous anecdotal evidence I have heard and read it is not a good place to leave a Nissan Patrol (especially a GQ) unattended. There has been a fair few reports of these not being there when the owners returned to where they were supposed to be. Trailers and caravans went as well...altho one was unhooked and just dropped apparently.
As I said ...just heresay on my part...but am wondering about the number of different stories I have heard so far...
everyone starts queing up early to get on the ferry, if you planned to spend the day in Port Melbourne I would just park along the beach, plenty of parking although it's not cheap, could be $4.00 per hour, if I were you I would go further down (so heading towards the ferry) there is a roundabout, instead of going straight take a slight right and continue on through the high rise apartments, at the end of those you will find more beach with free parking, it's a 2 minute drive. I live in Port Melbourne, its very safe to park as long as you lock things up as you would anywhere. You could then walk back along the beach where you will find lots of cafe's etc and also could walk to Bay Street shopping strip.