12 Melbourne beaches to visit (yes, they exist)

Melbourne beaches may not be as renowned as their counterparts in other Australian cities, but the strong sense of community and variety of conditions provide plenty of opportunities to swim, surf, SUP, and just relax when the sun makes an appearance.

People typically think of Sydney, Perth and the Gold Coast when discussions about Australia’s best patches of sand arise. And yet, many forget that beaches in Melbourne do indeed exist.

Moreso, there are some genuinely fantastic beaches that have been propped up over the years, from popular spots like St Kilda Beach and Brighton Beach to lesser-known favourites like Mentone and Williamstown.

From Melbourne to Mornington Peninsula, these are the best beaches you’ll find in and around town ordered by distance from the city centre.

1. South Melbourne Beach

Distance From Melbourne CBD: 5.3 kilometres

 The tiny Princes Pier at South Melbourne Beach (also known as Port Melbourne Beach) is one of the most charming in the state and perfect for sunset photography. And while casual strolls and privacy may be what this Port Phillip Bay beach is best known for, the usual conditions are still decent enough for a swim. Although not for a surf.

As one of the closest patrolled beaches from the heart of Melbourne, this stretch of sand is most popular amongst visiting families with limited time who mightn’t want to drive out to Brighton or Half Moon Bay.

You’d generally find locals walking their dogs, playing beach tennis, or visitors scurrying off from the nearby cruise ship terminal. It may not be the most popular, but the solitude is part of the appeal.

2. St Kilda Beach

Distance From Melbourne CBD: 7.3 kilometres

St Kilda Beach is to Melbourne what Bondi is to Sydney. And while that may seem like a rather crude comparison, consider that this historic suburb also lays claim to some of the best restaurants in Melbourne like Stokehouse and Cafe Di Stasio, as well as the fabulous Captain Baxter rooftop bar.

With so many great places to eat and drink after a swim, it’s no surprise that most Melbourne visitors head straight here when the sun is out, while families will appreciate the proximity to Luna Park.

Conditions at St Kilda Beach can vary but the relatively calm waters make it a good spot for novices to practice surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing. You can also hire equipment nearby if you’d like to SUP.

A pro tip would be to hang around until later in the day and walk down St Kilda Pier, where you might spot some fairy penguins milling around.

3. Elwood Beach

Distance From Melbourne CBD: 9.8 kilometres

Just around the corner from St Kilda, Elwood Beach is much quieter but no less exciting and an easy pick for one of the best beaches in Melbourne. Although it doesn’t feel like it, you’re still quite close to the city so it’s an ideal option for hurried visitors, who want something that sits between the action of St Kilda and the solitude of South Melbourne Beach.

Given it’s still a bay beach, the conditions at Elwood Beach are almost always calm and perfect for swimmers while surfers may want to monitor throughout the day. It’s more of a family-friendly beach as a result, flecked with picnic goers throughout the week or anyone keen on a more peaceful SUP away from the crowds.

4. Brighton Beach

Distance From Melbourne CBD: 13 kilometres

 Defined by its multi-coloured row of beautiful bathing boxes on the foreshore, Brighton Beach is one of Melbourne’s most picturesque, complemented by views of the distant CBD skyline. While St Kilda Beach gets its Bondi vibe from the communal atmosphere, Brighton feels like a short stroll on L.A.’s famous Venice Beach.

Yet it has its own identity. Conditions vary greatly, and the exposed beach can get quite windy resulting in some fairly decent waves and rip holes. That’s why plenty of novice surfers prefer this Melbourne beach over nearby alternatives, with a good middle ground between entry-level waves and more serious ones.

The area’s generous spread of breezy restaurants, galleries and cafes is a big attraction for swimmers and sunbathers as well, with popular options including Sons of Mary and the classic Fish Tank.

5. Williamstown Beach

Distance From Melbourne CBD: 14 kilometres

Looking back over Melbourne from Gem Pier is one of the most beautiful views in Victoria, which makes Willy Beach particularly popular for New Year’s Eve fireworks.

Williamstown Beach is just a step away from the local train station, making this a greatly accessible patch of sand for visitors who may not have the luxury of time on their side. The very active foreshore offers playgrounds, sporting facilities, and several solid options for a post-swim feast as well as classic Aussie fish and chip shops that line the Esplanade.

Yet be weary of the variable conditions. The Western end is generally calmer and is patrolled by The Williamstown Surf Life Saving Club, while some other sections can be quite rocky and exposed to strong winds throughout the year. Of course, that’s great news for surfers, but less so for those just wanting a peaceful swim.

6. Half Moon Bay

Distance From Melbourne CBD: 19.4 kilometres

Given its crescentic shape, Half Moon Bay is fairly protected from Melbourne’s temperamental weather conditions, keeping the water calm throughout the year. As such, it’s also very popular for boating and more relaxed water sports like SUP. Although, surfers have been known to enjoy the beach’s relative privacy when conditions are appropriate.

The sense of place and maritime history gives this beach its personality, especially the 1870s battleship, the HMVS Cerberus, that was sunk here in 1926 to create a breakwater for the Black Rock Yacht Club.

Swimmers should stick to the southern corner where the water is calmer and there are generally fewer rip channels compared to the rocky northern section. The Half Moon Bay Surf Life Saving Club patrols this part of the beach and there is ample parking around.

7. Mentone Beach

Distance From Melbourne CBD: 25.9 kilometres

Much like Frankston Beach, Mentone is another highly rated hidden gem that visitors often bypass but locals swear by. You’ve got another bay beach here, so conditions favour those lighter activities like swimming and SUPing while only beginner surfers have patience for the light waves.

The western part of the beach is considered the best dog beach in Melbourne with a generous off-leash policy on the sands. That’s a big reason why you’ll mostly find locals up and down the four-kilometre stretch.

8. Mordialloc Beach

Distance From Melbourne CBD: 28.6 kilometres

Mordialloc’s communal design is what makes this a hidden favourite amongst regulars who typically end the day at Sunny Boy Beach Club or cook up their own feast in the dedicated BBQ and picnic area. Known by locals as Mordi Beach, this is another one of those stretches of sand that is more popular amongst families than groups of mates, offering plenty to do from well-worn bike paths to a sturdy 300-metre pier that’s great for sunset.

The sand can be quite rough for some but the conditions are stable and ideal for swimmers who want to shy away from the more popular Melbourne beaches. Mordi is also a fantastic, very peaceful seaside town so it’s always worth exploring further out if it’s your first time here.

9. Frankston Beach 

Distance From Melbourne CBD: 56.3 kilometres

Crystal clear water and some of the best sand in Melbourne. Many locals would claim Frankston Beach as the number one reason to jump in a car and take the hour drive outside of the CBD. Although they’d be quiet while doing so, careful to not let the secret spill out.

The sturdy and quite long trestle pier is usually packed with fishing enthusiasts and conditions are generally very stable for swimmers throughout the year. Although the primary reason most make the trip down is to spend the entire day in the charming seaside town of Frankston, with its high standard of restaurants and cafes.

Surfers might want to bypass this one, but swimmers and sunbathers generally agree that this is the best beach on Port Phillip Bay.

10. Dromana Beach

Distance From Melbourne CBD: 84.5 kilometres

There are so many beaches across the Mornington Peninsula that it’s impossible to pick any front-runners. Although Dromana Beach is certainly a top-tier option with its clear turquoise waters and idyllic swimming conditions.

The foreshore has plenty of barbecue spots, while the small fishing pier typically sees a lot of action year-round because there’s less competition.

While the sand can be quite coarse and visually unexciting, the surrounding hiking trails certainly help push up the visual appeal of this family-friendly beach. The nearby Arthurs Seat State Park is certainly a stamina test, but those who want to see the summit without the sweat can take the Arthurs Seat Eagle gondola for incredible views across Port Phillip Bay with Melbourne’s skyline in the background.

11. Mount Martha Beach 

Distance From Melbourne CBD: 78.7 kilometres

Clear blue water, idyllic golden sand, and the most beautiful bathing boxes on the Mornington Peninsula. Brighton Beach may be Instagram famous, but locals know that the most beautiful beach outside of Melbourne is Mount Martha.

The pleasant conditions give Mount Martha a very European feel and the water clarity regularly attracts snorkellers, given the beach has many little nooks populated by extensive reef and weed beds. Expect to spot a huge variety of species like whiting, flathead, garfish, and snapper.

12. Gunnamatta

Distance From Melbourne CBD: 103.5 kilometres

Gunnamatta is greatly exposed to the full force of the Southern Ocean and so conditions are generally very harsh yet incredibly exciting for more experienced surfers. That makes this beach, part of the bountiful Mornington Peninsula National Park, the most popular for anyone seeking consistent breaks and gigantic waves.

That also means you probably wouldn’t find anyone here who isn’t charging at the water with a surfboard in hand. Gunnamatta can be quite risky, but anyone who likes watching the drama unfold usually kills time on the sand while watching thrill seekers navigate the high swells.

Here’s how to spend 72 hours in Melbourne.

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