7 of the most effective seashores in Melbourne

Melbourne most likely isn’t the primary metropolis that springs to thoughts when occupied with Australia’s famous beaches.

As a substitute, you would possibly consider Sydney with its Pacific-facing coastline and big harbor, or maybe Perth with its Indian Ocean seashores over which the solar units. 

Nonetheless, Melbourne is wrapped across the huge Port Phillip Bay, which suggests there are many seashores inside straightforward attain of its bayside suburbs. Usually accessible via public transit, these nice stretches of sand are sheltered, with minimal wave motion and ideal for a relaxed dip. And being Melbourne, there’s positive to be a great cafe or bar close by once you’re completed with the bay views. 

Listed here are seven of Melbourne’s finest seashores.

1. St Kilda Seaside

Arguably Melbourne’s reply to Sydney’s Bondi Beach, this stretch of sand is the town’s most well-known. That’s partly due to St Kilda’s longtime function as a bayside leisure playground – the suburb’s streets are full of pubs, eating places, bars and dwell music venues. 

The seaside itself – which fronts the clear waters of the bay – is bookended by icons: on the north finish, there’s the enduring St Kilda Sea Baths constructing, which homes a seawater swimming pool and hub of locations to eat and drink. To the south, you’ll discover the fun-filled sights of historic amusement park, Luna Park. With little or no swell, its waters are protected for households and after a swim or sunbathe, you may stroll to Esplanade above the seaside for a drink or meal on the Hotel Esplanade, a famed Victorian-era pub. Catch trams 16 or 96 to this seaside.

Planning tip: St Kilda Seaside isn’t effectively provided with altering rooms, so to make life simpler, put on your swimwear beneath your clothes. There are public bogs within the Sea Baths complicated and on close by Jacka Boulevard.

2. Port Melbourne Seaside

To the northwest of St Kilda Seaside, Port Melbourne may be very straightforward to succeed in from the town heart. Leap on a quantity 109 tram heading west alongside Collins Road and also you’ll be there very quickly, using alongside the transformed rails of what was as soon as Australia’s oldest practice line. As soon as there, you’ll be greeted by a seaside operating alongside a former industrial suburb, the place traditional Victorian structure meets glass-and-steel Twenty first-century buildings.

Planning tip: A great way to expertise the beachfront is to stroll southeast to Victoria St in Albert Park. Right here you may take pleasure in fish and chips at Ahoy Roy or have a drink on the Bleakhouse Hotel, earlier than catching the number one tram from its terminus again to the town heart.

3. Elwood Seaside

South of St Kilda, Elwood is much much less frequented by vacationers or Melburnians on a day trip, maybe as a result of it’s tucked away and simply west of the closest tram and practice traces. For individuals who do take some time to succeed in it, they’ll discover a less-crowded seaside that’s principally a neighborhood hangout. Beachgoers fling frisbees and kick footballs throughout the sands and within the adjoining sporting grounds and leafy Elwood Park. 

A little bit additional to the east is Elsternwick Park, a broad stretch of greenery with benches and a small decorative lake. (This physique of water is finest left to the birds and isn’t acceptable for swimming.)

Planning tip: Meals could be discovered on the buying strip alongside the close by Ormond Highway, together with fish and chips at Heads & Tails (112 Ormond Highway).

4. Altona Seaside

Melburnians hardly ever inform you to “go west” when searching for a seaside, however they need to. The bayside suburb of Altona defies the gritty industrial stereotypes of the town’s west, delighting in its beautiful sandy seaside a brief stroll from Altona railway station. 

It’s effectively off the vacationer path, so it’ll solely be you and the locals on the sand. In late 2023, its decaying 135-year-old pier will likely be changed by a brand-new construction stretching a formidable 300m (985ft) into Port Phillip Bay, with a boardwalk permitting guests to promenade above the waves. There are seaside volleyball courts, and adjoining Logan Reserve has bogs and a youngsters’s playground.

Native tip: Seize a serving of fish and chips from Altona Seaside Bites at 137 Esplanade. Take it throughout the road to the picnic tables above the seaside, and benefit from the bay views.

5. Williamstown Seaside

One other west-side gem, this stretch of coarse, golden sand on the seafaring suburb of Williamstown is an interesting spot for a dip, with its curved form making a protected space that’s excellent for households. 

There’s a kiosk promoting snacks and low at one finish; whereas on the different finish is the upscale Mediterranean-style restaurant, Sebastian. Behind the seaside is the Williamstown Botanic Gardens, a great place to wander or discover some shade after a swim.

Detour: Williamstown Seaside railway station is the closest to the seaside, however you would possibly like to increase your go to by strolling alongside the Esplanade and Morris Road to Williamstown Station. A little bit additional previous the latter station is Williamstown Timeball Tower, a Nineteenth-century construction as soon as used to sign the time to ships close by, so captains might set their clocks.

6. Dendy Road Seaside

A well-liked seaside subsequent to Brighton – considered one of Melbourne’s most unique suburbs on the east aspect of the bay – Dendy Road Seaside runs between Inexperienced Level and the Nineteenth-century Middle Brighton Baths. It’s a stunning place to take a dip, notably late on a sizzling summer season’s day when the solar is setting and casting its glow throughout the waves. 

What it’s most well-known for, nevertheless, are the Brighton Bathing Boxes, a protracted row of colorfully adorned timber huts which were right here for the reason that Victorian period – excellent fodder for selfies and Instagram photographs. Each Center Brighton and Brighton Seaside railway stations are close by.

7. Sorrento Entrance Seaside

As far south as you may go within the Melbourne metropolitan space, the Mornington Peninsula suburb of Sorrento is as charming as its namesake on the Italian Riviera. Located on a protracted slender peninsula, it’s a spot of aquatic contrasts: on the south shore are the unpredictable waters of Bass Strait, whereas on the north shore lies the a lot gentler Entrance Seaside. 

Admire Sorrento’s historic limestone buildings earlier than heading for the sand, which is framed by stands of Norfolk pines and a protracted jetty. You possibly can rent paddle boards on the foreshore and gas up afterwards at The Baths restaurant close to the pier.

Detour: From Sorrento you may catch the common ferry throughout the bay to Queenscliff, a gorgeous seaside city on the Bellarine Peninsula. It’s an amazing place for an in a single day keep, or you may take a bus onward from there to Geelong, returning to Melbourne through frequent trains.