Beaches in Melbourne

Melbourne city is best known for its culture and art scene, its innovative restaurants and the best coffee imaginable. Not satisfied with just that, Melbourne is also home to some of the most pristine and calm bay beaches in Australia.

As there are too many to choose from, here is a simplified guide of 18 of the best beaches in Melbourne.

St Kilda Beach

Victoria, Australia

Starting the list with Melbourne’s most famous beach, the bayside suburb of St Kilda is a hotspot for visitors and is only 6 kms away from the city centre. Famous for its bustling pier, happening food scene and Luna Park attraction, bustling St Kilda is busy all year round. The beach itself is a popular spot for swimming or laying out under the sun.

Altona Beach

Victoria, Australia

A 25 minute drive from Melbourne’s CBD, Altona beach is a great spot if you are after a more quiet day at the beach. Once, Altona’s waters were famous for the surprising amount of seaweed it was home to. Today, with daily cleaning, Altona’s waters are cleaner than ever and make for an impressive swimming spot. A section of the beach is specifically for kite-surfing, which makes for great viewing whilst you soak in some rays. For sustenance during the day a great selection of restaurants and cafes are available at Altona Village.

Brighton Beach

Brighton VIC 3186, Australia

No best beaches in Melbourne list would be complete without mentioning the picturesque Brighton Beach, famous for the 82 iconic bathing boxes adorning its seaside. A 30 minute drive from Melbourne’s CBD, the colourful beach is not only a great spot for photographic novelty, it also features a 6 km coastline of pristine white sands. A tourist favourite, this hotspot is teeming with a range of restaurants and retail stores.

Elwood Beach

Victoria, Australia

A 20 minute drive out of Melbourne’s CBD, Elwood Beach is a major family attraction. The beach’s sandy bay has a range of facilities to fill the day including BBQs, picnics and lawn playgrounds. Elwood’s no boating zone creates safe waters for swimming enthusiasts. For those after more activity, there are also walking and cycling paths around the coastline.

Half Moon Bay, Black Rock

A 40 minute drive from Melbourne’s CBD and named after its crescent shape, Half Moon Bay is a favourite for boating enthusiasts. Head south of the coastline to enjoy deep-water swimming zones or head to the bay’s long pier to spend the day fishing.

Mothers Beach

As the name suggests, Mothers Beach is a favourite amongst locals because of its family friendly nature and safe shallow waters. An hours drive from Melbourne’s CBD, Mothers Beach is sheltered by towering cypress trees and has a number of BBQ and picnic facilities that make for a great day out with the family.

Williamstown Beach

Williamstown VIC 3016, Australia

Williamstown beach is a 20 minute drive from Melbourne’s CBD and is best known for the attractive commercial precinct that sits by its coastline. Time your visit with one of the monthly waterside craft markets and enjoy a range of diverse stalls in the historic setting of Nelson’s Place. Made up of three sides of water, Williamstown is the perfect beach spot for both deep water swimmers and those who prefer to paddle in the shallows.

Mornington Peninsula

An hour away from Melbourne’s CBD, the Mornington Peninsula is the perfect escape for your next holiday. With an obvious nod to European coastal villages, Mornington is a boutique coastal town with a renowned regional gallery, sidewalk cafes and a number of colourful bathing boxes. With heritage architecture steeping in historical significance, the seaside town is also home to Victoria’s oldest courthouse. With numerous beaches, both sheltered and open seas, the coastal town is a popular destination for long weekends and short holidays – so be sure to book your Mornington accommodation early.

Hampton Beach

Public Beach

The beach-side suburb of Hampton is best known for the strip of retail stores sitting on the thoroughfare of Hampton street. A 30 minute drive from Melbourne’s CBD, Hampton offers safe waters ideal for swimming along a wide stretch of sandy beach. Take a stroll on Hampton’s 17 km arts trail and celebrate the lives and artworks of notable Australian artists who have painted the beach’s coastline over a number of year. Explore the shores and make your way to the beach’s cliff points and take in stunning panoramic views.

Saturday	Closed
Sunday	Closed
Monday	8am–3pm
Tuesday	8am–3pm
Wednesday	8am–3pm
Thursday	8am–3pm
Friday	8am–3pm

Sorrento

90 minutes out of Melbourne’s CBD, Sorrento beach is well worth the trip. The gorgeous coastline has popular jetties, a great walking track to take in the location’s natural beauty and a number of clear water rock pools.

Sandridge Beach

Sandridge Beach is surrounded by piers and port facilities. However, recent redevelopment of the surrounding area, including new beach amenities and landscaping, have produced a reasonably attractive beach..