Melbourne is the capital of Victoria State, the most populated city in Australia, and the cultural capital of Australia. The city also has many astounding beaches. 

The easy-to-locate beaches in Melbourne are full of culture and an excellent option to get tanned.  These Melbourne beaches offer a great way to relax on the sand if you do not wish to swim.

1. Most Unique Beaches in Australia 

1.1 Portsea Front Beach

Portsea Front Beach is located along the tip of the Mornington Peninsula. From Portsea Beach, you are greeted with a marvellous view of Port Phillip Bay. Moreover, the water at Portsea Front Beach is generally calm, making it perfect for swimming and underwater activities such as snorkelling. 

Portsea Beach also remains relatively concealed from the public, following a windy path around the corner from Portsea Pier to get there. Hence, this small hidden treasure is a wondrous location for those wanting seclusion and fantastic views sheltered by a headland. 

1.2 Bell’s Beach

Bell’s Beach is one of Australia’s best beaches for surfing. Bell’s Beach in Torquay is the ideal place to experience the Australian waves.

For the more experienced surfers, the perfect time to come to Bell’s Beach would be between the autumn and winter months to witness the giant waves. 

Most notably, Bell’s Beach is known for being featured in the 1991 film Point Break and as the home of the Rip Curl Pro, the world’s longest-running pro surfing competition. 

Bell’s Beach is a must-visit location for all surfers. Aside from the waves, Bell’s Beach also possesses a gorgeous coastal view with high vantage points for tourists to get a great idea of the coastal beauty. 

1.3 Half Moon Bay

To get to Half Moon Bay Beach, you only need to take a short train ride from Melbourne’s CBD. Half Moon Bay is named after its crescent-shaped cove nearby. Along the pier, you will find the shipwreck of the Australian naval ship HMVS Cerberus.

At Half Moon Bay Beach, you can engage in widespread activities such as jumping off BlackRock Pier. Experience underwater marine life through snorkelling, or get on a paddle board and enjoy the waves.

1.4 Lorne Beach

Lorne Beach is located along the iconic Great Ocean Road in Lorne. If you are a beginner looking to surf, Lorne Beach is perfect, as its natural formation allows for more comprehensive and low waves.

If you are not looking to venture into the refreshing blue waters, Lorne Beach has many eateries and cafes for you to take it easy and enjoy the view. It is only a 2-hour drive from Melbourne; Lorne Beach is a trendy spot for tourists and families as everything is nearby and busy with life.

1.5 Brighton Beach

Known for its iconic bathing boxes from the 1900s, Brighton Beach is an iconic tourist location, an incredibly photogenic location, and the best option for a hot day.

You can find Brighton Beach packed during the summer months between December and February in Australia. 

Nonetheless, Brighton Beach is a popular spot, with many activities that can be enjoyed along its sandy shores. Furthermore, Brighton Beach is located only 15 minutes away from Melbourne’s CBD.

1.6 Fairy Cove Beach

In Wilsons Promontory, Ferry Cove Beach remains a hidden gem that is not as easy as other Melbourne beaches. This secluded location is within the national park of Wilsons Promontory and roughly takes an hour to hike to and from Darby River car park.

Nonetheless, the effort it takes to get here will be worth it. When you get here, you will be greeted with a small heaven surrounded by granite boulders, soft sand, and shining waters. This area has also been cleared as safe for swimming.

However, staying out of the waters is essential when the weather becomes stormy and the waves are not calm.

1.7 Loch Ard Gorge Beach

Farther out from Melbourne, Loch Ard Gorge Beach is located along the iconic Great Ocean Road and is only 3 minutes from 12 Apostles.

Loch Ard Gorge was named after the ship that sunk nearby and was where its remaining two survivors washed ashore and took refuge. 

Albeit its tragic history, this is one of the buzzing tourist spots near the Great Ocean Road as it features a view of the two cliff faces.

1.8 Kerferd Road Pier Beach

Situated in Albert Park, this is one of Melbourne’s beloved beaches. You can stroll along the outstretched pier, famously known as a fantastic fishing spot. Alternatively, you can slow down and sit on one of many branches and enjoy a meal or a good book.

The stretching 240-meter Kerford Road pier also makes for a pretty photogenic spot. 

1.9 Altona Beach

Altona Beach is undoubtedly a place to visit if you want a tranquil location. Altona Beach has cafes and restaurants located nearby, inviting tourists and locals to relax on its shores.

In addition to that, Altona Beach provides accessibility for its guests with beach matting along the sand for wheelchair-bound visitors. Visit Altona Beach to walk along the beautiful beach, enjoy a relaxing coffee, or bask in the warm sun.

You can indulge in different activities to enjoy your time at beaches in Australia. Kids can play treasure hunt games at sandy beaches. It is a lovely activity for kids.

1.10 St Kilda Beach

This 700-meter-long beach is known as an essential place to visit in Melbourne. This beach is famous among locals as well as tourists.

St Kilda Beach is the place to relax and enjoy the skyline of charming Melbourne.

Reaching here is easy, as the Victorian Tram Network connects St Kilda and Melbourne’s CBD. This beach is an excellent place to spend summer nights, great for a nice walk or hanging out.

While roaming the beach, you will sometimes see random Latin dance lessons, find great cafes and ice cream joints and see people enjoying themselves.

2. Activities for Beaches in Melbourne

Here are excellent ideas if you are on the beach with kids and want to occupy them.

You can build a mermaid tail out of the sand. This is an exciting activity for kids; you can engage them to have fun. You can also have a water pistol fight on the beach and let kids enjoy it. 

If you are adventurous and want to try something more extreme, you can go for a kit fight. You can also fly a drone and capture stunning pictures with the help of a drone. 

2.1 Plying Games 

Diving in the water is another excellent activity at beaches. Surfing is another activity that will give you a lot of adventure at the beach. 

You can enjoy a good session of beach tennis. Playing a sport at the beach will be a lot more fun. Playing beach volleyball is a good option. A Workout session at the beach can be good. You can relax and read a book or do meditation to pass the time on the beach at some calm point. 

3. Most Family Friendly Beaches in Melbourne

A Family-friendly beach has facilities like Plenty of space for car parking, toilet blocks, a barbeque station, and other similar stuff. The beach should be kid-friendly and not be too crowded to be considered a kid-friendly beach. 

There are top-rated beaches, but visiting them is not conducive to a happy time with your family. If a beach has a creek or a small bridge, kids will love it. Having lifeguards working at the beach is always good for parental peace of mind.

4. Different Attraction 

St. Kilda Beach is the most crowded beach in Melbourne, with soft sand and fantastic amenities. It also has a fun-filled amusement park. Sorrento Ocean Beach is a 90-minute drive from Melbourne and another family-friendly beach.

Port Melbourne beach is lined with palm trees and soft, creamy sand. There is a playground for kids and the long Timber Lagoon Pier to enjoy a stroll into the sea. 

Altona Beach has no boat policy, making it the perfect option for a dip in the iridescent Port Phillip Bay. At Altona Beach, you could also wander along the 19th-century pier, which unfolds into the ocean 1640 feet deep.

4.1 Elwood Beach in Melbourne

Elwood Beach is one of the best beaches in Melbourne for swimming and boating. While you breathe in the delicious scent of the tea tree forest and Norfolk Island Pines in the reserve behind Elwood Beach. You could also follow the coastal path to Point Ormond Reserve for views of Melbourne’s dazzling skyline.

4.2. Sandringham Beach

It is an unspoiled idol in Melbourne’s Southern suburbs, snuggled between upmarket BlackRock and Hampton Sandringham.

5. Conclusion

We have taken a look at the best Beaches in Melbourne. There are gorgeous beaches of lucid waters backed by Soft sweeping dunes following a leisurely swim; lay a beach towel down and soak up the beautiful scenery.

These Beaches are easy to locate, and you can take a tram or train from Melbourne’s CBD to reach them.

Last Updated on March 3, 2024 by Narayani Bhardwaj