14 Best Beaches in Melbourne, Australia

Culture-packed Melbourne and the celebrated Mornington Peninsula are home to dozens of spectacular beaches. The best beaches in Melbourne are easy to reach, well-equipped, and during summer, the perfect place to catch some rays.

Melbourne’s shoreline wraps around the horsehead-shaped Port Phillip Bay, Australia’s busiest port, unfurling to the tip of the state of Victoria.

Melbourne beaches may not have the same swagger as Sydney beaches or those lining Queensland’s coastline, but they are glorious, characterful shores bathed in beauty.

These are the best beaches in Melbourne, Australia.

St. Kilda Beach

St. Kilda is one of the best beaches in Melbourne for its soft sand and fantastic amenities, including a fun-filled amusement park.

A short tram or taxi ride from the center of Melbourne, St. Kilda Beach is lined with a neatly manicured promenade and a grassy park. Visiting is one of the best things to do in Melbourne with kids.

Take a stroll on St. Kilda Pier, home to a colony of penguins that hide out under the boardwalk. The narrow strip leads to St. Kilda Pavilion. Built in 1904, this pretty building serves food and drinks.

St. Kilda Beach is located directly in front of Melbourne’s historic Luna Park. This jaunty amusement park was built by James Dixon Williams, an American showman, film producer, and studio executive of the early 20th century.

Here, you could race around on the Speedy Beetle or be spooked on the original 1934 Ghost Train. There’s also a Ferris wheel for taking in stunning views of Port Phillip Bay and the eye-popping Great Scenic Railway; the oldest continually operating roller coaster in the world.

Just about every type of cuisine can be found in St. Kilda. Try Loti on the Esplanade for its knock-out red emperor ceviche and lobster cooked over an open fire.

Sorrento Ocean Beach

This gorgeous beach lies at the very tip of the Mornington Peninsula and is well worth the 90-minute drive from central Melbourne.

One of the best beaches in Melbourne if you’re seeking seclusion, Sorrento Ocean Beach is home to rugged natural rock pools that can be explored at low tide.

Gaze at the gorgeous sweep of green trees behind the shore and the white boats dotting the bay. Surf, fish, swim, or simply bathe on the flour-soft sand. You could also enjoy a headland hike north to Sorrento Park.

When you start to feel hungry, take a seat at The Baths Sorrento for fabulous ocean views and a menu of delicious seafood, salads, and cocktails.

Port Melbourne Beach

Segue from South Melbourne to the seaside and onto Port Melbourne Beach. The family-friendly Port Melbourne Beach is lined with palm trees and filled with soft creamy sand.

There’s a playground for little ones, plenty of space for swimming, and the long timber Lagoon Pier to enjoy a stroll into the sea.

Beachgoers will find a selection of cafés, bars, and restaurants on the trendy Victoria Avenue, which leads towards the beach.

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Altona Beach

Altona Beach is a slim strip to the west of Melbourne’s city center, dotted with fragrant Norfolk pine trees.

Altona’s no-boat policy makes it perfect for a dip in the iridescent Port Phillip Bay. You could also wander along the 19th-century pier, which unfolds 1,640 feet into the ocean.

A playground, volleyball court, and bathrooms are among the facilities. Kite and windsurfing lessons are also available, too. Ice cream, coffee, sodas, and snacks are available along the Esplanade or you could savor fish and “chips” (fries) right on the beach.

Frankston Beach

Located in the fishing community of Frankston, South Melbourne, Frankston Beach starts at Olivers Hill Boat Ramp and continues towards Long Island Beach in the north.

Meander along the paths of Frankston Foreshore Reserve to discover some of the region’s wildlife. The 56-acre park is home to New Holland honeyeater birds and common blue-tongue lizards.

An extensive children’s playground and picnic area with barbecues are among the facilities. You could also join some of the locals fishing for their supper off the pier. Flathead and snapper are some of the most common catches in Port Phillip Bay.

To soak up the gentle sea breeze and soul-lifting views, opt for a walk along Frankston’s serene raised-timber boardwalk.

Elwood Beach

This sandy bay is one of the best beaches in Melbourne for swimming and boating. Breathe in the delicious scent of the tea tree forest and Norfolk Island pines in the reserve behind Elwood.

You could also follow the coastal path to Point Ormond Reserve for views of Melbourne’s dazzling skyline. It takes around 25 minutes to walk the full length of Elwood from the pier to the lookout.

After an invigorating sea swim, factor in a visit to Wild Gypsea. This wellness center and organic café serves zesty smoothies, vegan and vegetarian wraps, seasonal salads, and breakfasts such as smashed avocado on toast.

Dromana Beach

Nestled on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, Dromana Beach is an alluring swathe of sand featuring clear turquoise water.

Dromana Beach provides plenty of facilities for an idyllic day by the seashore, including a fishing pier, a playground, bathrooms with rinse-off showers, and a barbecue and picnic area.

Order a flat white or smoothie from the brightly-colored Café Del Sol located opposite Marine Drive before walking among the dunes to see Dromana’s rainbow of bathing huts.

Take up paddle boarding or canoeing on the still water. If you prefer to stay on dry land, follow the bay trail for a scenic coastal walk.

If you’re game for a short but arduous hike, plot out the route to Arthurs Seat State Park’s 1,000-foot summit. Alternatively, opt for the more leisurely gondola, known as the Arthurs Seat Eagle, to reach the top.

On a clear day, enjoy spectacular views of Port Phillip Bay and Melbourne’s gleaming skyscrapers.

Williamstown Beach

A beautiful butterscotch beach greets visitors to Williamstown, close to the city’s bustling port.

Lying on The Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail, Williamstown Beach is serviced by the Williamstown Beach Railway and offers fantastic views of Port Phillip Bay.

The verdant Williamstown Botanic Gardens, which opened in 1860, lie right behind this peaceful beach. Visit the tranquil gardens to wander down the wide palm-lined boulevard and explore the many rare and native tree and plant species.

After admiring the pretty Edwardian ornamental pond within the gardens, walk the short distance to Williamstown Beach to sink your toes into the sand.

A beach kiosk, bathrooms, showers, and a shoreside fish restaurant offer all of the amenities you’ll need for a superlative day at the seaside.

Sandringham Beach

This unspoiled idyll in Melbourne’s southern suburbs is snuggled between upmarket Black Rock and Hampton.

Sandringham is a top beach for its laid-back feel. Visitors here are more likely to be met with locals enjoying the scenery rather than a flurry of tourists.

Walk from the eye-catching 1926-built Band Rotunda through the manicured gardens to the shore. Stroll the length of Sandringham Beach from south to north, dipping in and out of the shallow water. At the northern tip, steps lead to the yacht club, marina, and Hampton Pier, which curves around the harbor.

Stop at Sandy Beach Kiosk on Jetty Road, behind the marina, for a refreshing drink or to rent water sports equipment, including a paddleboard or a sailboard for a windsurfing lesson.

Carrum Beach

The Carrum section of the five-and-a-half mile Frankston-Carrum beach is a marvelous stretch of sandy shore.

Carrum Beach features gorgeous lucid water backed by soft sweeping dunes. Following a leisurely swim, lay a beach towel down and soak up the beautiful scenery.

Carrum Beach is easy to get to by taking the train from central Melbourne. The journey takes roughly an hour and the station is surrounded by amenities, including a beach bar, a frozen yogurt vendor, and a cluster of casual restaurants.

Read: Most Beautiful Places in Australia

Safety Beach

Marine Drive’s one-and-a-half mile Safety Beach is a blissful seafront that’s situated southwest of Martha’s Point.

Safety Beach is also the starting point of the Mornington Peninsula Bay Trail, which hugs the coastline for 18 miles to Portsea. The white sand beach is ideal for sunbathing, while the water is perfect for swimming.

Before your visit, stock up on coffee and market-fresh groceries at Provincia, a Mediterranean deli selling cured meats, artisan cheeses, and other gourmet goods.

As it’s close to Red Hill, the beating heart of the Mornington Peninsula’s wine country, Safety Beach is the perfect combination with a few hours’ sampling local wines at the local cellar doors.

One of the best wineries to visit is Polperro Winery. A 10-minute drive from Safety Beach, Polperro specializes in organic and biodynamic pinot noir, chardonnay, and pinot gris.

A short distance away, Mont Rouge is a wine estate with four acres of green vineyards. Sip on a honey-hued chardonnay and sample the estate’s divine handmade Cocoa Rouge chocolates.

Port Phillip and Montalto estates are two more standout options for their gourmet modern Australian restaurants serving home-grown produce.

Brighton Beach

The irresistible Brighton Beach, one of Melbourne’s best places to visit, stretches almost four miles and is divided into three sections; Dendy Street, Middle Brighton, and Brighton beaches.

Start by enjoying one of Melbourne’s famous brunch dishes on buzzy Church or Carpenter streets. Laurent is a lovely spot for superb bakes and velvety coffee. For a more substantial breakfast, head to Brighton Schoolhouse, where the braised pulled-pork bao buns with poached eggs are divine.

Down on the beach, you’ll find a row of 82 mood-lifting bathing boxes on Dendy Street Beach. While these tiny nostalgic beach huts can’t be rented out, they make for a charming vacation photo.

The bathing boxes have become an iconic symbol of Melbourne’s coastline. Each one is painted in bright shades of yellow, orange, red, green, or blue. Some are also decorated with animals or bear national flags.

You could explore Brighton Beach’s glorious gardens between the oceanfront homes and the sandy shoreline. At the southern tip of Brighton Beach, Brighton Beach Gardens sits on an elevated position offering magnificent views of the curving coastline.

Further north, Brighton Middle Beach is home to historic sea baths that were built in 1881.

Mentone Beach

Mentone Beach is tucked into a nook of the curved Beaumaris Bay, 15 miles from the center of Melbourne.

The beach is famously depicted in artist Charles Conder’s 1888 painting called A Holiday at Mentone, featuring a joyful seaside scene. Other Australian impressionist artists were inspired to paint Mentone during this period, too, including Thomas Roberts and Arthur Streeton.

Soak in the lustrous landscape that lured Conder and his cohorts on a Bay Trail walk to look for swooping cormorants, seagulls, and albatrosses. The path is carved into the coastline and skirts Mentone Beach, leading to Beaumaris Beach Foreshore Reserve.

Flinders Ocean Beach

There are many reasons to visit Flinders, a remarkable beach sheltered on the edge of Mornington Peninsula National Park.

Flinders Ocean Beach faces the Bass Strait and is roughly a 75-minute drive from the city. It’s one of the finest beaches in Melbourne for its faraway feel.

Pack a snorkel to experience Mushroom Reef Marine Sanctuary and its myriad underwater creatures, including octopus, pike, and snapper.

Wander through the headland’s heavenly dune system to Kennon Cove. There’s a long jetty here that’s a popular local fishing spot.

Nearby, the kangaroo-filled Greens Bush is the largest patch of bushland on the Mornington Peninsula. A network of arrow-marked tracks offers hiking routes through the nature reserve, the shortest being Baldrys Circuit Walk.

The walk consists of two loops, one just under a mile long and the other just over two miles through fern gullies and eucalyptus woods. Look and listen for grazing Eastern Grey kangaroos and in the trees, koalas feeding on the eucalypt leaves.

If you prefer a more relaxing post-beach experience, stop by the nearby Nazaaray Estate Winery. This sweeping single-vineyard estate is the Mornington Peninsula’s most southern winery, with a cellar door, tours, and tastings available.

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