23 Magical Beaches In Melbourne And Beyond

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Sydney, Western Australia and Queensland are known for having some of Australia’s finest beaches, but Melbourne also has a decent share of beaches. If you were to head to one of the Melbourne beaches on a warm summer day, you’ll find it extremely difficult to find a free spot. While some beaches are close to the city and great for swimming, others are further out of the city and come with lovely views. Going to the beach in Melbourne is about enjoying the day, soaking up some rays and feeling the ocean breezes. These are the best beaches in Melbourne and its surrounds.

23 Best Beaches in Victoria

Top Beach Hotels

Top Tours

Beaches In Melbourne

dog beaches melbourne
Several Melbourne beaches have areas for dogs.

1- Williamstown Beach

About a 20-minute drive from Melbourne CBD is Williamstown Beach but if you’d rather hike, follow the Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail.

Once you’re at the beach, you certainly won’t be disappointed by the facilities at Williamstown Beach.

About 550 metres in length, the Eastern Pier is a great place to head to if you enjoy fishing.

If not, Williamstown Beach is also a fantastic spot for swimming, especially for children, as the surf is gentle.

You’ll find all the facilities you need, from a large picnic area to a children’s playground.

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If you’re visiting on a warm summer day, we don’t recommend driving to Williamstown Beach as it could get crowded, so hop on the train or take the bus instead.

Where to stay? Quest Williamstown North.  

Stay at: Captains Retreat Apartments and Cottages

2- St. Kilda Beach

st kilda beach melbourne
The most well-known beach in Melbourne is St Kilda Beach, which has a relaxed city vibe.

St. Kilda Beach is especially popular with locals and tourists due to its proximity to the theme park, Luna Park.

Nearby, the South Beach Reserve has plenty of outdoor terraces and restaurants.

St. Kilda Beach can be quite busy during the weekends and public holidays, as its promenade is filled with walkers, runners and even rollerbladers.

The beach is well-protected from direct ocean swells, so it’s great for swimmers.

With 700 metres of sand, you should be able to find a spot to unwind and relax when visiting St. Kilda’s beach.

Once you’re done, hit up the trendy cafes and restaurants on Acland Street.

Where to stay? Tolarno Hotel or Beachfront Beauty, an apartment 200m from the beach. 

Stay at: St Kilda Beachfront Penthouse

3- Brighton Beach

beaches in melbourne australia
One of the best beaches in Melbourne is Brighton beach, with its colourful bathing boxes.

Another popular beach spot for beachgoers, many flock to Brighton Beach, just half an hour away from the city, to capture a shot of the 82 brightly-decorated beach boxes that line this beach.

Not only is Brighton Beach popular with sunbathers, but it’s also a favourite with surfers and swimmers as well.

When the wind picks up, there are decent waves and rip holes around the area make it a great fishing spot.

There’s plenty to do around the Brighton Beach area, including visiting restaurants, galleries and cafes.

Thanks to its laid-back atmosphere, Brighton Beach is especially popular with families.

If you like paddleboarding, you can also do so at the shallow end of the beach.

Where to stay? Quest Brighton on the Bay.

Stay at: Brighton Golden Mile

4- Elwood Beach

Just half an hour away from Melbourne city is Elwood Beach. If you’re looking for a beach with a good amount of space, this might be the beach for you.

It’s 1,300 metres long and ideal for a game of beach cricket.

Elwood Beach is also popular with kite surfers, thanks to offshore winds.

Some other activities you can enjoy at the beach include cycling and running.

Even though this is one of Melbourne’s least crowded beach, you’ve still got access to gorgeous golden yellow sand and warm, calm waters.

Facilities-wise, this beach has a play area for children, a picnic area, a barbecue area and public toilets.

Where to stay? How about checking into a beachfront apartment for that home away from home feel?

Stay at: Beachfront Apartment

5- South Melbourne Beach

A short distance from the city, South Melbourne Beach is a swimming beach with safe waters and great sunset views.

Whether you’re a walker, cyclist, swimmer or sunbather, it’s a great beach in Melbourne and is easily accessible by tram.

Other facilities around the area include a gated playground, volleyball nets, a pier, a lifesaving club and plenty of restaurants.

Where to stay? Coppersmith Hotel.

Stay at: Amzing Ocean View Spacious Three Bedrooms Apartment Port Melbourne

6- Sandridge Beach

Close to the city, Sandridge Beach is only a 15-minute drive away from the CBD.

There are better beaches out there than this one – especially when you’re comparing it to some of the beaches further out from Melbourne, but it’s convenient.

Situated in Port Philip Bay, Sandridge Beach has plenty of places to sit and trees lining the area protect the foreshore.

While the water is shallow, there’s quite a bit of seaweed in the area, so swimming here is not recommended.

With shipping channels in the area, if you’re looking for a beach to sit and watch the world go by, this is a good beach to consider.

It’s popular for kayaking, fishing, bike riding or walking.

Where to stay? The Hampton Apartments.

Stay at: SKYLINE Hub-Penthouse 3 Bedroom Apartment SouthBank

8- Middle Park Beach

15 minutes away from the city is Middle Park beach, which is between St. Kilda’s Beach and Port Melbourne Beach.

This popular city beach has a walking path and lovely views.

There’s a kiosk, drinking fountains, seating areas and public toilets.

While not exactly the beach you’d swim in, it’s a great spot to take a walk and enjoy the ocean breeze.

What’s unique about this beach is its proximity to the cruise ship terminal, so you might spot some cruise ships in the distance.

It also has rows of palm trees with plenty of shops and cafes nearby.

Where to stay? Book a room at the Middle Park Hotel.

Stay at: Boutique Stays – Two Plus Two

9- Sandringham Beach

melbourne beaches sandringham
Sandringham beach is one of the loveliest beaches in Melbourne.

Sandringham is a Port Phillip bayside suburb between Black Rock and Hampton that has grown out of its nickname, the “Gypsy Village”, into a popular suburban residential area with a village feel.

Head to the Sandringham Hotel for fresh seafood and modern pub grub or meet some friends for a beer at the Front Bar.

The iconic 1926 band rotunda is directly across the road, a local landmark framed by green lawn and palm trees.

The safest place to swim is between the flags at the northern end, where the Sandringham Life Saving Club is located, and boating isn’t allowed.

Where to stay? Try Nightcap at Sandringham Hotel.

Stay at: Beach Rd Kids & Pet Friendly Free Parking

10- Half Moon Bay Beach

half moon bay melbourne beaches australia
Half Moon Bay is another Melbourne beach worth checking out.

Just half an hour away from the city, Half Moon Bay Beach is a secluded beach that looks like something out of a postcard.

What’s unique about Half Moon Bay Beach is its maritime history and you’ll be amazed to learn that an 1870s battleship lies just a short distance from shore.

As the name suggests, Half Moon Bay Beach has a crescent shape which means that the beach is well-protected from the weather.

The beach is popular for boating and is also great for swimming.

Stay at: Earimil Villas – Waterfront

11- Mordialloc Beach

melbourne beaches
A large white umbrella near the waterline shelters its occupants at Mordialloc Beach in Melbourne.

About a 40-minute drive from Melbourne, Mordialloc beach is popular with families and can get crowded, so make sure you get there early.

It’s an attractive beach that has everything from sun, sand and sea to a beach club, playground, barbecue facilities and more.

Its sturdy pier stretches for 300 metres.

Stay at: Boutique Stays – Mordi Beach House

12- Bonbeach

bonbeach melbourne river beaches
Bonbeach is a popular river beach in Melbourne.

Another wide sandy beach with bathing boxes, Bonbeach is a 1.5 km strip of sand and natural habitat connecting Chelsea Beach to the Patterson River.

This wheelchair-accessible beach is great for families and has toilet facilities, walking paths and an off-leash area for your four-legged friends.

The Bonbeach Surf Life Saving Club patrols this beach. 

Where to stay? These beachside apartments at Bonbeach might do the trick. 

Stay at: Bonbeach Bliss

Mornington Peninsula Beaches

best beaches melbourne
Boag Rocks at Gunnamatta Ocean Beach on a stormy afternoon.

13- Sunnyside North Beach

This nudist beach is about an hour away from Melbourne on the east side of Port Philip Bay.

While it’s great for sunbathing, Sunnyside North Beach isn’t the best beach for swimming as there are large rocks around the beach and finding a route through the rocks can be dangerous.

If you’re planning on surfing, you can only do so when there are winds from the west, causing waves to reach between one to two metres in height.

Facilities include a barbecue area and picnic benches.

Stay at: The Moondah Manor’ A Poolside Family Retreat

14- Sorrento Back Beach

While slightly further away from Melbourne city by car (around 1.5 hours), Sorrento is known for having some of the best beaches near Melbourne.

It has a scenic foreshore with walking trails and jetties.

Sorrento Back Beach is popular for surfing, swimming and wading in rockpools. But if you’re looking to explore the rockpools, you’ll want to visit at low tide.

For those looking to sunbathe and relax, there’s plenty of golden sand to unwind and bask in the sun.

Stay at: Sorrento Back Beach Apartment

15- Sorrento Front Beach

Not far from Sorrento Back Beach, Sorrento Front Beach has a sheltered position from the winds and is a good spot for swimming.

The bay is also relatively shallow, making it a safe spot to swim.

The Sorrento area is known for dolphin and seal spotting, so you can hop on one of these adventure tours that venture further out.

Sorrento Front Beach has a grass area that’s great for picnics if you enjoy a picnic on grassy areas rather than sand.

Other facilities around the area include several restaurants, an ice cream parlour, public toilets and more.

Stay at: CLASSIC COASTAL ESCAPE Sensational Sea Views

16- Mothers Beach

About an hour away from Melbourne, Mothers Beach on the Mornington coast is a perfect beach for families because it’s sheltered, shallow and has soft white sand.

You can easily spend the afternoon kayaking, canoeing or standup paddleboarding here.

There’s also plenty of food here if you’re looking for something to eat, and you’ll also be close to the Mornington Marina Precinct.

Stay at: Anchors Away Escape in the heart of Mornington

17- Fossil Beach

Another hour away on the Mornington Peninsula is the gorgeous Fossil Beach.

This small cove has a rich and abundant history of fossils and Victoria’s first cement works.

While not exactly the beach of choice if you’re looking to swim, this is a stunning beach to sit at as it has large rocks and many shells.

Do note, however, that there is a 20-minute walk down the hill towards the rocky beach, so you’ll need to be careful when making the trek down.

If you’re a fossil collector looking for a bit of an adventure, you’d want to add Fossil Beach to your list.

Stay at: 2 Bedroom Home Mornington Walking to Beach

18- Ranelagh Beach

ranelagh beach melbourne
Colourful beach boxes on Ranelagh Beach, Melbourne.

Also, on the Mornington Peninsula, Ranelagh Beach is a hidden beach that the locals favour.

You can access it via steep stairs and you’ll be surprised how similar it is to Brighton Beach due to the colourful beach boxes that line it.

There’s also a scenic lookout spot where you can capture incredible photos.

While reasonably safe for swimming – especially during low tide – this can be a rocky beach, so it’s not on the top list of swimming beaches.

Stay at: Earimil Villas – Waterfront

19- Shire Hall Beach

Another gorgeous beach in the Mornington Peninsula – what can we say, this area is dotted with beaches – Shire Hall Beach is a sheltered shallow beach also with many colourful beach boxes.

This beach has soft white sand for swimming, picnic tables and public toilets, and if you head a little further, you’ll reach Mothers Beach.

You’ve got some stunning views as Shire Hall Beach looks towards the Mornington Marina.

Stay at: Sea Grange

20- Mills Beach

Melbourne beaches Mills
A long row of beach boxes at Mills Beach in Melbourne’s Mornington Peninsula.

Another Mornington Peninsula beach, Mills Beach is gorgeous, tranquil and has fantastic views.

You can swim around the Mills Beach area and walk from Mills Beach to Shire Hall Beach.

What’s great is that there are plenty of lookout areas to soak in great views.

It also has colourful bathing boxes that line the area and it’s one of the nicer beaches situated along the coast.

As it’s a sheltered shallow beach, it’s great for families, and there are picnic tables and a small kiosk that sells drinks and ice cream.

Stay at: Mills Beach House

21- Moondah Beach

An hour away from Melbourne is the quiet family beach of Moondah Beach, also lined with colourful beach boxes.

A favourite with locals, this sandy beach is one of the quietest in the Mount Eliza area and is a hidden gem.

While you can swim at the beach during low tide, it’s not recommended as there is a deep channel, rip holes and rocky patches beneath the water.

Where to stay? InterContinental Sorrento Mornington Peninsula.

Stay at: Uncover Mount Eliza’s Charm from this Local Stay

Geelong Beaches

22- Eastern Beach Reserve

The Eastern Beach Reserve in Geelong is just an hour from Melbourne.

It’s a unique area that not only comes with picnic facilities and playgrounds but also has a shark-proof sea bath area and a unique historic boardwalk.

This reserve was built in the 1930s and you’ll find everything here, from floating islands to a large diving tower.

This is a great spot to visit as a family during the warm summer months, and there are plenty of amenities to keep you busy.

The promenade is also exceptionally picturesque and comes with volleyball nets and even a stretch of open sandy beach for you to relax and unwind.

Where to stay? Novotel Geelong.

Stay at: Vue Apartments Geelong

23- Bells Beach

melbourne australia beaches
Bells Beach is a famous beach near Melbourne along the Great Ocean Road, Australia.

Less than a couple of hours drive from Melbourne is the famous surfing spot of Bells Beach, which hosts international surfing competitions and comes with a right-hand point break.

The drive to Bells Beach is also gorgeous, as it’s just off the Great Ocean Road.

It’s the beach to head to if you’re looking for a memorable surfing experience or just looking to take in some incredible views of the Southern Ocean. 

Stay at: Bells Beach Cottages

For more beaches in North America and Caribbean read:

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Karmy Widjaja
Originally from Singapore, Karmy holds a Master of Marketing Communications from the University of Melbourne and currently resides in Perth, Western Australia. She has extensive experience in writing and has written for a number of publications. An avid traveller, Karmy has visited numerous destinations from Indonesia to Australia and the United States, with a particular love for Japan and its incredible food.