Melbourne might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of an Australian beach holiday, but there’s plenty to like about the stretch of coastline around Port Phillip Bay. There are busy beaches close to the city, colourful bathing boxes, sheltered swimming spots and quieter stretches of sand further down the bay.
At Cuttle Core, these are the kinds of places we spend our weekends exploring. Sometimes it’s an early swim before the day gets busy, sometimes it’s a family outing with lunch packed in the esky, but most of the time it’s just a chance to get outside for a few hours and really appreciate the area we're lucky enough to live in.
One of the best things about Melbourne’s bayside beaches is how different they can feel from one another. St Kilda is lively and close to everything, while places like Sandringham and Half Moon Bay offer a slower pace. The water is often calmer than the open ocean, although temperatures can be chilly outside the warmer months. Depending on the day, you might spend as much time walking along the foreshore or finding somewhere for coffee as you do swimming.
Here are some of our picks, depending on what sort of beach day you're after.
Iconic and lively
St Kilda Beach
St Kilda is an obvious place to start, especially if you're visiting Melbourne for the first time. It's close to the city, easy to reach by tram and surrounded by plenty of places to eat and drink. On a sunny afternoon, the foreshore is full of people walking, cycling, skating and finding a spot on the grass.
Growing up, I spent a lot of time hanging around St Kilda's beaches, mainly because it always felt like something was happening. People skating and swimming with the backdrop of Luna Park, all within walking distance of some of the best cafes, record shops and bars Melbourne had to offer.
The beach itself varies along the shoreline, with sandy sections and patches of pebbles. It can get busy near the main entrances during summer, but there's room to spread out if you're prepared to walk a little further. The sunsets across the bay are worth sticking around for, too.
If you're making an afternoon of it, grab an ice cream, wander along the foreshore or head towards St Kilda Pier for a look across the water. Little penguins can be spotted near the breakwater, although sightings aren't guaranteed and access to viewing areas can vary.
St Kilda isn't the place to go if you're looking for a quiet afternoon alone, but it's hard to beat for a swim followed by dinner or a drink nearby.
Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/neilsingapore/8300080222
Brighton Beach (Dendy Street)
The colourful bathing boxes at Brighton are one of Melbourne's best-known coastal sights. Lined up along the sand, each has its own paintwork and design, making them a popular stop for photos. The boxes are privately owned, but you can still enjoy the beach and the view from the public foreshore.
As anyone who lives in Melbourne knows, Brighton is considered a ritzier suburb, and the beach really showcases why. Even beyond the bathing boxes, it is an iconic shoreline, with white sands feeling like they stretch on forever. It's one of those places that on an early morning, staring out into the distant horizon, can really let you fall in love with the ocean.
On a clear day, you can see the city skyline across the bay. It's a lovely setting for a swim or a walk along the water, although the beach gets busy during summer, particularly around the bathing boxes.
If you can, visit early in the morning or later in the afternoon when there's a little more room to move. Parking around Dendy Street can be difficult on warm weekends, so public transport is worth considering.
Even if you've seen the bathing boxes in countless photos, they're worth a visit in person. Stay for a swim, walk along the foreshore or keep going towards the neighbouring bayside beaches if you're in the mood for a longer stroll.
Port Melbourne Beach
Port Melbourne is a convenient choice when you want a beach without travelling far from the city. The wide stretch of sand is popular with families, runners and cyclists, while the foreshore path makes it easy to combine a swim with a walk or ride.
It's the beach that feels most like Melbourne, as if you're stepping out from the city and directly onto a surf board (figuratively, at least, since the Port Phillip Bay is known for its very calm waters).
You'll often see ships moving across the bay, which gives the beach a different feel from some of the more scenic spots further south. It's not as recognisable as Brighton or as busy with visitors as St Kilda, but that's part of its appeal. It's an everyday beach for people who live nearby, and a good option when you want to get outside without making a whole day of the trip.
There are cafés and places to eat close by, so you don't need to pack everything for the day. Come for a swim, find a spot on the sand and see where the afternoon takes you.
Scenic spots with a little more character
Half Moon Bay, Black Rock
Half Moon Bay is one of the more distinctive beaches around Port Phillip Bay. The curved shoreline sits beneath reddish cliffs, and the wreck of the HMVS Cerberus is visible offshore. It's a different view from the flatter stretches of sand closer to the city.
The beach is relatively small, which can make it feel more intimate than some of the larger bayside spots. It's popular for swimming, snorkelling when conditions are suitable, and simply sitting by the water to take in the scenery.
On warm weekends, parking can fill quickly, so arriving earlier is a good idea. You can also explore the surrounding foreshore before heading into Black Rock for something to eat.
If you're after a beach that offers a little more to look at than sand and water, Half Moon Bay is well worth the trip.
Williamstown Beach
Williamstown Beach is a good option if you'd like to combine a swim with a wander around one of Melbourne's older waterfront suburbs. There's a sandy beach, grassy areas behind it and plenty of space to settle in for a few hours.
The water is generally sheltered, although conditions can change with the weather. Families often make use of the nearby green spaces, while others come for a walk along the foreshore or a quiet afternoon by the bay.
One of the advantages of visiting Williamstown is that you're close to the historic town centre. After a swim, you can walk through the streets, look at the older buildings or find a café for lunch. It makes a nice change from spending the entire day in one spot.
Sandringham Beach
Sandringham is worth considering if Brighton feels a little too busy. It has golden sand, rocky sections and a more relaxed atmosphere, particularly outside the peak summer period.
At low tide, the rock pools are worth a look, especially if you're visiting with curious kids. The beach is also good for a walk, a swim when conditions allow or an afternoon sitting by the water without too much going on around you.
The nearby foreshore paths make it easy to keep walking towards neighbouring beaches if you're not ready to head home. Sandringham doesn't have a major attraction like Brighton's bathing boxes, but if you want a pleasant stretch of coastline without quite as much activity, that's not necessarily a bad thing.
Beaches for a family day out
Elwood Beach
Elwood is a favourite for families and locals who want a beach day without too much fuss. The sandy shoreline is backed by wide grassy areas, giving you somewhere to spread out a picnic blanket, let the kids run around or find a bit of shade between swims.
It's also well placed for a walk or a stop at one of the nearby cafés. You can bring lunch and settle in for the afternoon, or keep things simple with a quick swim before heading off.
Elwood can get busy on warm weekends, but the surrounding parkland gives you a little more flexibility when the sand starts to fill up. It's a good all-rounder if you're looking for somewhere to swim, eat and relax without needing to plan much in advance.
Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/colormyday/7910487428/
Mordialloc Beach
Further down the bay, Mordialloc is a good choice for a traditional family beach day. There's a broad stretch of sand, grassy areas, picnic spots and places to grab fish and chips nearby (Tommy Ruff Fishbar is a definite pick for me).
The foreshore makes it easy to spend a few hours here without having to move the car or organise much once you've arrived. Younger kids can play in the sand, while older children and adults can swim when conditions are suitable.
Mordialloc also has a local shopping strip, so you can easily head off for lunch or pick up something to eat on the way home. It's a practical option for families who want a beach with facilities close at hand.
Chelsea and Bonbeach
If you'd rather get away from the busier beaches closer to the city, Chelsea and Bonbeach are worth a look. Both have long stretches of sand, residential neighbourhoods and a quieter feel than St Kilda or Brighton.
Beaches like these are what I think of when I think of the Victorian shoreline. Driving a motorbike along the roads overlooking Chelsea beach is always a treat, and if you're one for roadtrips with friends, I couldn't recommend it highly enough.
The bay water is often relatively calm, making these beaches popular with families, although it's always worth checking conditions before swimming. There's plenty of room for beach games, a walk along the shore or an afternoon spent doing very little.
These aren't beaches with big tourist attractions or a long list of things to do. That's part of the appeal. Bring a few snacks, find a spot on the sand and enjoy having a little more space around you.
A few things to know before you go
Melbourne's bayside beaches are generally easy to reach, but parking can be frustrating on hot weekends. If you're heading to a popular spot like St Kilda or Brighton, getting there early can save you a lot of circling around looking for a space. Public transport is also a good option for several of the beaches closer to the city, with the 109 tram going directly to Port Melbourne if you're looking for the easiest route.
It's worth checking the weather before you leave, too. A warm day doesn't always mean warm water, and wind can make a big difference to how comfortable you'll be once you're out of the water. If you're planning to swim, check local conditions and any safety advice before getting in.
What you bring can make a difference as well. Melbourne beach days often involve a few swims, a walk along the foreshore and a stop somewhere for coffee or lunch. You might be carrying your towel around for hours, without a convenient place to hang it up between dips.
That's where a lightweight option like the Cuttle Hood comes in handy. Made from microfibre, it's designed to dry off quickly and take up less room in your bag than a bulky towel. You can use it to dry yourself, change underneath it when you need a bit of privacy, or wear it as a cover-up while you walk back to the car. It also doubles as a regular towel when you want something to sit on at the beach.
It's a useful option if you'd rather not carry a separate towel and changing robe, particularly when you're moving between beaches or making a few stops along the way.
Find your favourite Melbourne beach
There's no single best beach around Melbourne. It depends on the day you're after. St Kilda is great when you want a bit of atmosphere and plenty of places nearby to eat. Brighton is worth visiting for the bathing boxes, while Half Moon Bay offers a more striking natural setting. For a relaxed family outing, Elwood, Mordialloc, Chelsea and Bonbeach all have plenty going for them.
Pick somewhere that suits the weather and the people you're going with, pack a few essentials and leave yourself time to explore. Sometimes the best part of a beach day is finding a spot you hadn't planned to visit in the first place.
