Which Is The Best Beach In Melbourne?

Popular Beaches Near Melbourne

Below, we list, in no particular order, what we consider to be the best beaches in the vicinity of Melbourne, if you're looking for fresh ideas for enjoying the warm weather.

St Kilda Beach

We'll begin with St. Kilda, Melbourne's most well-known beach. St. Kilda, a bayside area approximately six kilometres from Melbourne's central business district, is a popular destination for both residents and visitors. St. Kilda Beach is a popular destination for a variety of beach activities.

On the other hand, this beach is great for walking, cycling, jogging, and rollerblading because to the network of roads and boardwalks that along its coastline. The abundance of great places to eat and drink, as well as adjacent landmarks like Luna Park and the St. Kilda Pier (1853), make this a great beach to visit any time of year.

Elwood Beach

Elwood Beach, a 1.3-kilometer stretch of beach with calm seas ideal for pool-style swimming, is just a 6-minute  drive down the coast. Those who would rather not get wet can still enjoy the outdoors by riding or running along the Bayside Trail, which offers views of a Melbourne Central Business District, St. Kilda Beach, and, on occasion, the Spirit of Tasmania at Port Melbourne.

There are plenty of places to eat and relax in Point Ormond, as well as family-friendly facilities including playgrounds, grassy fields, and cricket netts.

Half Moon Bay

The calm, half moon shoreline of Half Moon Bay may be reached in around 30 minutes from the central business district. As the location of the Black Rock Yacht Club, this protected bay is frequented by sailors and anglers. A battleship from the 19th century, the HMVS Cerberus, has been laid to rest there and serves as a barrier and artificial reef.

This shipwreck, which has been taken over by marine organisms including algae and crustaceans, is a favourite spot for snorkelers in the area. In the waters around the island, you can find a wide variety of fish and other marine life, such as starfish, sea anemones and anemones, colourful squid, and even the unusual cuttlefish and octopus.

Bring your snorkelling gear and spend the day at the beach, or stop by the Cerberus Beach House and Kiosk for some refreshments and a great vantage point.

Dendy Street Beach

The most photographed beach in Melbourne should be included on any "best beaches" list. Dendy Street Beach, located about 20 minutes from Melbourne's central business district, is known for its clean, shallow waters and the stunning backdrop of Melbourne's skyscrapers.

A total of eighty-two bathing boxes made of wood border the north end of Dendy Street Beach. Each one has its own special palette and paint job. The Brighton Bathing Boxes are a landmark of Melbourne and a perennial favourite among visitors because of their rich history and unique character.

Brighton Beach's grassy reserve, located close to the cycling and walking path, also features picnic areas and barbeque amenities.

Mothers Beach

Mothers Beach in Mornington is a popular destination because to its picturesque, yacht-filled harbour and family-friendly vibe. This north-facing beach features a boat ramp and pier that access calm, protected waters beyond the shade of tall cypress trees.

Along with the beach, the marina is home to a top-notch fish and steak restaurant with a view, as well as BBQ pits, picnic tables, public restrooms, and even outdoor showers. Renting a canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard is an excellent option for those who want to get some exercise, and there are also several nearby parks, playgrounds, and sports fields for energetic people to enjoy.

Williamstown Beach

Williamstown Beach, located about 25 minutes outside of the central business district, is a large, sandy beach with a pleasant commercial zone and thoughtfully planned waterfront parks. There are plenty of people who want to swim in the deep water, and there are also plenty of people who like to paddle around in the shallows, so Williamstown is the ideal beach for everyone. If you're in the area on the third Sunday of every month, you may stop by the Williamstown Craft Market and peruse a large selection of handmade goods, as well as local produce. Take advantage of the beach's playground and barbeques, or visit the nearby Williamstown Botanical Gardens.

Sorrento Ocean Beach

Sorrento Ocean Beach, located on the Mornington Peninsula, is a breathtaking destination that can be reached in under two hours by car from Melbourne. The beach here is sheltered by a peninsula covered with vegetation, creating an amphitheatre effect.

With calm, clear seas ideal for snorkelling and interesting rock pools exposed at low tide, Sorrento Ocean Beach is a popular destination throughout the summer. As well as being the beginning point for a number of different hiking trails, the main parking lot is home to a cafe and a surf lifesaving club.

Along its three-kilometer stretch along the clifftop to Diamond Bay, Coppins Track provides interesting insights into the local past. From Coppins Lookout, you can access the beach and rocky piers in the ocean by descending the bluff.

Altona Beach

Visitors to western Melbourne who are in search of a tranquil beach day should head to Altona Beach. Altona Beach is great for water sports like kitesurfing and paddleboarding, as well as for swimming and volleyball thanks to its designated boat-free zone.

Boaters and sailors will like the beach's jetties and the six-lane boat ramp that is open during the summer season when the beach is patrolled. Altona Beach is great for the whole family because of its proximity to public transportation, restaurants, cafes, barbeques, playgrounds, and green spaces with public facilities.

Gunnamatta Beach

If you're a surfer and you're in Melbourne, you can't miss Gunnamatta Beach on the Mornington Peninsula. At three kilometres in length, this open beach is known for its rip-dominated surf and waves that average nearly two metres in height.

Gunnamatta Beach is known for its excellent beach and rock fishing, despite the fact that the strong surge makes swimming unsafe. The beach features rocky reef, deep rip holes, and gutters.

As one travels all along coastline towards Boag Rocks, Cape Schanck, or Fingal, they will be treated to a breathtaking view of the huge and rocky environment. Just off Truemans Road, there are two huge parking lots and restroom buildings.

Hampton Beach

The Hampton Street shopping district, with its restaurants, department stores, and speciality shops, is the most well-known part of this beachfront community. You may find Hampton Beach, with its lovely sand and calm waters, not far away.

The foreshore reserve features a biking and walking trail, as well as grill, playground, and picnic amenities. Head to the southernmost part of Hampton Beach, in which the cliffs overlook the bay, or take a stroll along the 17-kilometer-long arts trail that honours the many artists who've already painted the area's breathtaking scenery.

Mount Martha

Historic bathing boxes, often painted in bright colours, may be seen all along the southern beaches of Port Phillip, but the best examples can be found in this affluent town at the Peninsula's start.

Its collection of beaches offer a softly wild atmosphere that you won't find anywhere else along the bay, and its architectural designs and village restaurants are additional draws.

On the southern side of Martha Point, green bluffs drop precipitously to white beach and sparkling ocean, and a scenic walking pathway leads there from the nearby Safety Beach.

Suburban beaches

• Altona: A popular swimming beach in a bay with a designated "no-boat" area and the potential for a variety of water-based activities. There are marinas, jetties, BBQ pits, and play areas all in close proximity for those who want to go boating or sailing.
• Beaumaris:This sandy bay beach is a favourite among yachters and boaters due to its calm waters and lack of waves. Notable landmarks include Heron Point and Table Rock Point, as well as a foreshore reserve with a playground, picnic areas, and a trail for walking or bicycling.
• Bonbeach: The Patterson River and its major boating facilities are conveniently close to this sandy bay beach.
• Carrum: In a popular and secure sandy harbour close to the mouth of the Patterson River, you'll find a popular and secure swimming beach. The foreshore reserves provide picnic tables, grilling grills, and playground equipment, and there are numerous boating amenities such as launch ramps, mooring, and refuelling stations.
• Hampton: A popular sailing and yachting spot in a sheltered bay with a sandy swimming beach. The large foreshore area features a walking and biking trail in addition to BBQ and playground amenities.
• Mentone: A popular spot for water skiers and a safe swimming beach with soft sand in a protected bay. Picnic areas, a playground, and a walking/cycling path may all be found in the vast coastal reserve.
• Mordialloc: A lot of people take their boats out on the water in this bay because of its big, safe sandy beach. The waterfront reserve is great for picnics and barbeques and even has a playground for the kids. Aspendale, Edithvale, and Chelsea all include sandy shores, too.
• Sandridge: Hobsons Bay is a sandy swimming beach between Webb Dock and Princes Pier. Picnic and barbeque areas are available in the neighbouring reserves.
• Sandringham and Black Rock: The marinas and boat ramps at these lengthy, protected bay beaches are top-notch. Picnickers will love the large foreshore reserve area, which also features a route for walking and cycling.
• Werribee South: With its multi-lane, all-tide launch ramp and jetty, the bay beach is a popular destination for boaters. It's convenient to go to a power-skiing zone and ramp, and there are both of these things in close proximity

Day trips

Portsea And Sorrento

In the summer, many Melburnians escape to either of these two communities on the Peninsula. The picturesque bay beaches are great for picnics and swimming, and the 142-year-old Portsea Hotel boasts a massive waterfront beer garden with ocean views and a clifftop track called Millionaire's Walk.

In 1967, Prime Minister Harold Holt, a skilled swimmer, disappeared in the rough surf of Portsea, located on the city's "back beaches." Even if you just stick to the shallows, the travel from Melbourne is well worth it because of the Southern Ocean's stunning waves and far from balmy sea surface temperatures, which are present throughout the year.

Merricks

Quiet and safe for kids Merricks, like its posh neighbours Portsea and Sorrento, draws an affluent clientele. However, instead of resort glitz, you'll find unsealed eucalypt-clad roads, noticeably understated but beautifully crafted beach houses, and a quaint general store with a cellar door.

The bay beach is nice enough for a swim on a hot summer day or a brisk walk in the winter, but it is probably not the main reason you came here. Merricks North, about seven minutes inland, is home to the art-decorated Jackalope Hotel, which boasts a vineyard and a restaurant that has won multiple awards.

Overnighting

Fairhaven Beach

The Great Ocean Road's longest and arguably most beautiful beach is the four-mile length from Bedford to Cinema Point in the west. It's the type of beach that makes you would like to run around like a kid again, doing somersaults and cartwheels.

Spread down a towel at the entrance of Moggs Creek, The Spot (just east of the Fairhaven surf lifesaving club), or Spouts Creek in the summer to soak up some rays and watch the surfers that gather there. If you want to cool down in the water this summer, it's best to stay within the monitored area in front of the surf lifesaving club because of the powerful rip currents.

Squeaky Beach

Yes, this beach does squeak, albeit it’s more of a faint yelp. The answer can be found in the white quartz sand at your feet, which stretches majestically between the craggy peaks of Pillar and Leonard Points in Leonard Bay. It is still natural and picturesque despite being frequented by surfers and summer vacationing families.

While its clear blue water is tempting on a hot day, swimmers should exercise caution due to the presence of strong and frequent undercurrents. Stock up on supplies at the nearest grocery store, located almost two miles away in the tiny hamlet of Tidal River, before hitting the beach.

Ninety Mile Beach

The long-distance waves of Bass Strait pound infinite stretches of golden sand on this beach, making for a stunning scene. As a barrier between the crashing waves of the ocean and the peace of Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park, the beach plays an important role. Relax in the calm lakes or spend the day strolling along the coast.

From the sheltered coves of Port Albert to the resort community of Lakes Entrance, the beach is an impressive 20 miles in length. All you need is a fishing licence and a few days to relax at the beach or lake, and you can find that in any of the quaint little towns in between (with a permit).

Wildlife such as Black Wallabies, Eastern Grey Kangaroos, and Rainbow Lorikeets abound in the region. During the winter months, you may be lucky enough to see a whale passing through the area.

Croajingolong National Park

Located in Victoria's outlying east, Croajingolong is not only a massive national park but also a World Biosphere Reserve recognised by Unesco. It is a rugged, uninhabited island with sultry heathlands, lush rainforest, rocky inlets, and imposing sand dunes. Although Mallacoota is a comfortable and convenient base, the adventurous should set up camp at the primitive Shipwreck Creek campsite located ten miles to the south-west. This is a truly stunning location, with towering shrubs on all sides and a wide sandy cove below. Extremely violent rips and current flow make diving extremely risky; stay in the shallows. Your campsite reservation can be booked up to 18 months in advance.

Conclusion

Melbourne is well-known for its coffee, food, and culture, but it also has some lovely beaches. Explore the top beaches in the city, which range from those suitable for swimming with children to those ideal for fishing and boating. From St Kilda Beach to Elwood Beach, we list what we consider to be the best beaches near Melbourne. Dendy Street Beach is known for its clean, shallow waters and the stunning backdrop of Melbourne's skyscrapers. Brighton Bathing Boxes are a landmark of Melbourne and a perennial favourite among visitors because of their rich history and unique character.

Mothers Beach in Mornington is a popular destination because to its picturesque, yacht-filled harbour and family-friendly vibe. Williamstown Beach is a large sandy beach with a pleasant commercial zone and thoughtfully planned waterfront parks. Altona Beach is great for water sports like kitesurfing and paddleboarding, as well as for swimming and volleyball thanks to its designated boat-free zone. If you're a surfer and you're in Melbourne, you can't miss Gunnamatta Beach. At three kilometres in length, this open beach is known for its rip-dominated surf and waves that average nearly two metres in height.

Hampton Beach's foreshore reserve features a biking and walking trail, as well as grill, playground, and picnic amenities. Mount Martha's collection of beaches offer a softly wild atmosphere that you won't find anywhere else along the bay. Beaumaris is a popular spot for water skiers and a safe swimming beach with soft sand in a protected bay. Melton Mowbray has a foreshore reserve with a playground, picnic areas, and a walking/cycling path. Hobsons Bay is a sandy swimming beach between Webb Dock and Princes Pier.

Content Summary:

• Melbourne's summer is approaching, which likely means you have beach plans.
• Even though it's more well-known for its coffee, food, and culture, Melbourne also has some lovely beaches.
• Explore the top beaches in the city, which range from those suitable for swimming with children to those ideal for fishing and boating.
• The question is , Where are the nicest beaches close to Melbourne?
• Fortunately, you may pick from a variety of stunning beaches in the Melbourne area.
• It's easy to spend a day or weekend at one of the many beautiful beaches in Melbourne, some of which are among the greatest in all of Victoria.
• Even though the city isn't located on a beach, there are plenty of stunning beaches within a short drive or ride on the subway.
• As you might expect, they improve as you get out from the centre of the city.
• In contrast, Melbourne itself is home to several breathtaking beaches.
• Consider this your Melbourne beach survival kit if you're eager to spend the day lounging on Australia's famous golden beaches.
• Below, we list, in no particular order, what we consider to be the best beaches in the vicinity of Melbourne, if you're looking for fresh ideas for enjoying the warm weather.
• We'll begin with St. Kilda, Melbourne's most well-known beach.
• St. Kilda, a bayside area approximately six kilometres from Melbourne's central business district, is a popular destination for both residents and visitors.
• St. Kilda Beach is a popular destination for a variety of beach activities.
• The abundance of great places to eat and drink, as well as adjacent landmarks like Luna Park and the St. Kilda Pier (1853), make this a great beach to visit any time of year.
• Elwood Beach Elwood Beach, a 1.3-kilometer stretch of beach with calm seas ideal for pool-style swimming, is just a 6-minute  drive down the coast.
• Half Moon Bay The calm, half moon shoreline of Half Moon Bay may be reached in around 30 minutes from the central business district.
• As the location of the Black Rock Yacht Club, this protected bay is frequented by sailors and anglers.
• A battleship from the 19th century, the HMVS Cerberus, has been laid to rest there and serves as a barrier and artificial reef.
• This shipwreck, which has been taken over by marine organisms including algae and crustaceans, is a favourite spot for snorkelers in the area.
• In the waters around the island, you can find a wide variety of fish and other marine life, such as starfish, sea anemones and anemones, colourful squid, and even the unusual cuttlefish and octopus.
• Bring your snorkelling gear and spend the day at the beach, or stop by the Cerberus Beach House and Kiosk for some refreshments and a great vantage point.
• The most photographed beach in Melbourne should be included on any "best beaches" list.
• Dendy Street Beach, located about 20 minutes from Melbourne's central business district, is known for its clean, shallow waters and the stunning backdrop of Melbourne's skyscrapers.
• A total of eighty-two bathing boxes made of wood border the north end of Dendy Street Beach.
• The Brighton Bathing Boxes are a landmark of Melbourne and a perennial favourite among visitors because of their rich history and unique character.
• Mothers Beach in Mornington is a popular destination because to its picturesque, yacht-filled harbour and family-friendly vibe.
• Along with the beach, the marina is home to a top-notch fish and steak restaurant with a view, as well as BBQ pits, picnic tables, public restrooms, and even outdoor showers.
• Renting a canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard is an excellent option for those who want to get some exercise, and there are also several nearby parks, playgrounds, and sports fields for energetic people to enjoy.
• Williamstown Beach, located about 25 minutes outside of the central business district, is a large, sandy beach with a pleasant commercial zone and thoughtfully planned waterfront parks.
• There are plenty of people who want to swim in the deep water, and there are also plenty of people who like to paddle around in the shallows, so Williamstown is the ideal beach for everyone.
• If you're in the area on the third Sunday of every month, you may stop by the Williamstown Craft Market and peruse a large selection of handmade goods, as well as local produce.
• Take advantage of the beach's playground and barbeques, or visit the nearby Williamstown Botanical Gardens.
• Sorrento Ocean Beach, located on the Mornington Peninsula, is a breathtaking destination that can be reached in under two hours by car from Melbourne.
• The beach here is sheltered by a peninsula covered with vegetation, creating an amphitheatre effect.
• With calm, clear seas ideal for snorkelling and interesting rock pools exposed at low tide, Sorrento Ocean Beach is a popular destination throughout the summer.
• As well as being the beginning point for a number of different hiking trails, the main parking lot is home to a cafe and a surf lifesaving club.
• Along its three-kilometer stretch along the clifftop to Diamond Bay, Coppins Track provides interesting insights into the local past.
• From Coppins Lookout, you can access the beach and rocky piers in the ocean by descending the bluff.
• Altona Beach Visitors to western Melbourne who are in search of a tranquil beach day should head to Altona Beach.
• Altona Beach is great for water sports like kitesurfing and paddleboarding, as well as for swimming and volleyball thanks to its designated boat-free zone.
• Boaters and sailors will like the beach's jetties and the six-lane boat ramp that is open during the summer season when the beach is patrolled.
• Altona Beach is great for the whole family because of its proximity to public transportation, restaurants, cafes, barbeques, playgrounds, and green spaces with public facilities.
• If you're a surfer and you're in Melbourne, you can't miss Gunnamatta Beach on the Mornington Peninsula.
• At three kilometres in length, this open beach is known for its rip-dominated surf and waves that average nearly two metres in height.
• Gunnamatta Beach is known for its excellent beach and rock fishing, despite the fact that the strong surge makes swimming unsafe.
• The beach features rocky reefs, deep rip holes, and gutters.
• As one travels along the coastline towards Boag Rocks, Cape Schanck, or Fingal, they will be treated to a breathtaking view of the huge and rocky environment.
• Just off Truemans Road, there are two huge parking lots and restroom buildings.
• The Hampton Street shopping district, with its restaurants, department stores, and speciality shops, is the most well-known part of this beachfront community.
• You may find Hampton Beach, with its lovely sand and calm waters, not far away.
• The foreshore reserve features a biking and walking trail, as well as grill, playground, and picnic amenities.
• Head to the southernmost part of Hampton Beach, in which the cliffs overlook the bay, or take a stroll along the 17-kilometer-long arts trail that honours the many artists who've already painted the area's breathtaking scenery.
• Mount Martha Historic bathing boxes, often painted in bright colours, may be seen all along the southern beaches of Port Phillip, but the best examples can be found in this affluent town at the Peninsula's start.
• Its collection of beaches offer a softly wild atmosphere that you won't find anywhere else along the bay, and its architectural designs and village restaurants are additional draws.
• On the southern side of Martha Point, green bluffs drop precipitously to white beach and sparkling ocean, and a scenic walking pathway leads there from the nearby Safety Beach.
• A popular swimming beach in a bay with a designated "no-boat" area and the potential for a variety of water-based activities.
• There are marinas, jetties, BBQ pits, and play areas all in close proximity for those who want to go boating or sailing.
• This sandy bay beach is a favourite among yachters and boaters due to its calm waters and lack of waves.
• Notable landmarks include Heron Point and Table Rock Point, as well as a foreshore reserve with a playground, picnic areas, and a trail for walking or bicycling.
• The Patterson River and its major boating facilities are conveniently close to this sandy bay beach.
• In a popular and secure sandy harbour close to the mouth of the Patterson River, you'll find a popular and secure swimming beach.
• The foreshore reserves provide picnic tables, grilling grills, and playground equipment, and there are numerous boating amenities such as launch ramps, mooring, and refuelling stations.
• A popular sailing and yachting spot in a sheltered bay with a sandy swimming beach.
• The large foreshore area features a walking and biking trail in addition to BBQ and playground amenities.
• Mentone: A popular spot for water skiers and a safe swimming beach with soft sand in a protected bay.
• Picnic areas, a playground, and a walking/cycling path may all be found in the vast coastal reserve.
• A lot of people take their boats out on the water in this bay because of its big, safe sandy beach.
• The waterfront reserve is great for picnics and barbeques and even has a playground for the kids.
• Aspendale, Edithvale, and Chelsea all include sandy shores, too.
• Hobsons Bay is a sandy swimming beach between Webb Dock and Princes Pier.
• Picnic and barbeque areas are available in the neighbouring reserves.
• The marinas and boat ramps at these lengthy, protected bay beaches are top-notch.
• Picnickers will love the large foreshore reserve area, which also features a route for walking and cycling.