Who is the mystery artist behind Portland's Loch Ness monster sculpture?

Nessie appeared mysteriously but has made herself at home. (Supplied: Sunarazzi Photoraphy)

The seaside town of Portland in South West Victoria has been gripped by a mystery — who is behind the sculpture of the Loch Ness monster?

The sculpture appeared at the beginning of lockdown and locals have already affectionately named it 'Nessie'.

While it might not rival the fame of the original Nessie on the other side of the world, at least you can see Portland's answer to the Loch Ness Monster — provided you look in the right place at the right time.

Nessie pops above the water each day at low tide.

This sculpture has mysteriously appeared in Portland, on Victoria's South West Coast. (Supplied: Anne McCurdy)

Retired art teacher Robyn McDonald said she had never seen so many people discussing tidal charts.

"It's such a clever artwork," she said. 

The sculpture, made out of car tyres, is located in a small section of beach just near the Visitor Information Centre on the foreshore.

Nessie is COVID-negative

For those who might be worried Nessie could be breaching any local council bylaws, Glenelg Shire Council issued the following statement.

Who has created the mysterious Loch Ness sculpture in Portland? (Supplied: Lynda Cooper)

"Fortunately the Covid test came back negative.

"As a council, it has been fantastic to see creativity and ingenuity flourish in our shire, particularly in the midst of a lockdown period.

"We hope that Nessie can continue to remain an attraction once restrictions ease, and entice visitors to our beautiful region."

The sculpture appears when the tide is low. (Supplied: Sunarazzi Photography)

While no-one is owning up to creating the sculpture, Ms McDonald said there were a few suspects but she wasn't about to give anything away.

"It's just a really generous artist — it's obviously not a commissioned piece so no-one's getting paid for it," she said.