Melbourne most likely isn’t the primary metropolis that springs to thoughts when serious about Australia’s well-known seashores.
As a substitute, you may consider Sydney with its Pacific-facing shoreline and large 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. Typically accessible by way of public transit, these nice stretches of sand are sheltered, with minimal wave motion and ideal for a relaxed dip. And being Melbourne, there’s certain to be an excellent cafe or bar close by once you’re completed with the bay views.
Listed below are seven of Melbourne’s finest seashores.
1. St Kilda Seaside
Arguably Melbourne’s reply to Sydney’s Bondi Seaside, this stretch of sand is 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 reside music venues.
The seashore 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 points of interest 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 seashore for a drink or meal on the Resort Esplanade, a famed Victorian-era pub. Catch trams 16 or 96 to this seashore.
Planning tip: St Kilda Seaside isn’t effectively equipped with altering rooms, so to make life simpler, put on your swimming wear beneath your clothes. There are public bathrooms within the Sea Baths complicated and on close by Jacka Boulevard.
2. Port Melbourne Seaside
To the northwest of St Kilda Seaside, Port Melbourne could be very straightforward to achieve from town heart. Bounce on a quantity 109 tram heading west alongside Collins Avenue and also you’ll be there very quickly, using alongside the transformed rails of what was as soon as Australia’s oldest prepare line. As soon as there, you’ll be greeted by a seashore operating alongside a former industrial suburb, the place basic 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 get pleasure from fish and chips at Ahoy Roy or have a drink on the Bleakhouse Resort, earlier than catching the #1 tram from its terminus again to town heart.
3. Elwood Seaside
South of St Kilda, Elwood is way much less frequented by vacationers or Melburnians on a day journey, maybe as a result of it’s tucked away and simply west of the closest tram and prepare traces. For many who do take some time to achieve it, they’ll discover a less-crowded seashore 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 bit of 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 might be discovered on the purchasing strip alongside the close by Ormond Street, together with fish and chips at Heads & Tails (112 Ormond Street).
4. Altona Seaside
Melburnians hardly ever let you know to “go west” when on the lookout for a seashore, however they need to. The bayside suburb of Altona defies the gritty industrial stereotypes of town’s west, delighting in its attractive sandy seashore 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 might be changed by a brand-new construction stretching a powerful 300m (985ft) into Port Phillip Bay, with a boardwalk permitting guests to promenade above the waves. There are seashore volleyball courts, and adjoining Logan Reserve has bathrooms and a kids’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 seashore, 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 good for households.
There’s a kiosk promoting snacks and occasional at one finish; whereas on the different finish is the upscale Mediterranean-style restaurant, Sebastian. Behind the seashore is the Williamstown Botanic Gardens, an excellent place to wander or discover some shade after a swim.
Detour: Williamstown Seaside railway station is the closest to the seashore, however you may like to increase your go to by strolling alongside the Esplanade and Morris Avenue to Williamstown Station. A bit of 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 may set their clocks.
6. Dendy Avenue Seaside
A well-liked seashore subsequent to Brighton – one in every of Melbourne’s most unique suburbs on the east aspect of the bay – Dendy Avenue Seaside runs between Inexperienced Level and the Nineteenth-century Center Brighton Baths. It’s a beautiful place to take a dip, notably late on a scorching summer time’s day when the solar is setting and casting its glow throughout the waves.
What it’s most well-known for, nonetheless, are the Brighton Bathing Packing containers, an extended row of colorfully adorned timber huts which have been right here because the Victorian period – good 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 an extended 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 an extended 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 beautiful seaside city on the Bellarine Peninsula. It’s an incredible place for an in a single day keep, or you may take a bus onward from there to Geelong, returning to Melbourne by way of frequent trains.
