7 of the best beaches in Melbourne

Melbourne probably isn’t the first city that springs to mind when thinking about Australia’s famous beaches. Instead, you might think of Sydney with its Pacific-facing coastline and massive harbor, or perhaps Perth with its Indian Ocean beaches over which the sun sets.

However, Melbourne is wrapped around the vast Port Phillip Bay, which means there are plenty of beaches within easy reach of the city center. Almost all are accessible via public transit; these pleasant stretches of sand are sheltered, with minimal wave action, and perfect for a relaxed dip. And as this is Melbourne, there’s sure to be a good cafe, bar, or takeaway nearby when you’re ready to refuel and watch the sun go down.

Even outside the summer season, Melbourne's beaches are excellent for fresh air, a long stroll, or a cold water dip if you're brave (or mad).

Here are Melbourne’s seven best beaches, with what to expect, and how to get there.

1. St Kilda Beach

Best for music, bars and roller skating

Arguably Melbourne’s answer to Sydney’s Bondi Beach, this stretch of sand is the city’s most famous. That’s partly because of St Kilda’s longtime role as a bayside entertainment playground – the suburb’s streets are crammed with pubs, restaurants, bars, and live music venues.

The beach itself – which fronts the clear waters of the bay – is bookended by icons: at the north end, there’s the iconic St Kilda Sea Baths building, which houses a seawater swimming pool and a hub of places to eat and drink. To the south, you’ll find the fun-filled attractions of historic amusement park, Luna Park. With very little swell, the waters here are safe for families, and after a swim or sunbathe, you can walk to Esplanade above the beach for a drink or meal at the Hotel Esplanade, a famed Victorian-era pub and the perfect spot to watch the sunset.

• Location: 30 minutes from the city center.

• How to get there: Tram (16) or light rail (96) ride from the city center.

• Amenities: There are public toilets in the Sea Baths complex and on nearby Jacka Boulevard, plus numerous places to eat and drink nearby.

• Hours: 24 hours.

Planning tip: St Kilda Beach isn’t well supplied with changing rooms, so to make life easier, wear your swimming gear beneath your clothing.

2. Port Melbourne Beach

Best for cycling, jogging or strolling

Even closer to the city center, Port Melbourne Beach is very accessible but not as popular as St Kilda. Once there, you’ll be greeted by a beach running alongside a former industrial suburb, where classic Victorian architecture meets glass-and-steel 21st-century buildings. A pier takes you out over the water near Kerferd Rd. A good way to experience the beachfront is to walk southeast to Victoria St in Albert Park. Here you can enjoy fish and chips at Ahoy Roy or have a drink at the Bleakhouse Hotel, before catching the number 1 tram from its terminus back to the city center.

• Location: 30 minutes from the city center.

• How to get there: Tram (109) from the city center.

• Amenities: There are public toilets along the waterfront. Accessible beach matting is available at Port Melbourne Life Saving Club.

• Hours: 24 hours.

3. Elwood Beach

Best for a local enclave feel

South of St Kilda, Elwood is far less frequented by tourists or Melburnians on a day trip, perhaps because it’s tucked away and just west of the nearest tram and train lines. Those who do make the effort to reach it will find a less-crowded beach that’s mostly a local hangout. Beachgoers fling frisbees and kick footballs across the sands and in the adjacent sporting grounds and leafy Elwood Park. Point Ormond lookout is a great spot for a picnic and sunset view. But for something a little more upmarket, book a table at Elwood Bathers in the former bathing pavilion on the foreshore. There are also plenty of cafes and places to buy takeaway food at nearby Ormond Rd.

• Location: 50 minutes from the city center.

• How to get there: A combination of walking, after catching a tram, train or bus from the city, is required.

• Amenities: There are public toilets along the waterfront.

• Hours: 24 hours.

4. Altona Beach

Best for an undiscovered gem

Melburnians rarely tell you to “go west” when looking for a beach, but they should. The bayside suburb of Altona defies the gritty industrial stereotypes of the city’s west, delighting in its gorgeous sandy beach a short walk from Altona railway station. It’s well off the tourist trail, so it’ll only be you and the locals on the sand. In late 2023, its decaying 135-year-old pier will be replaced by a brand-new structure stretching an impressive 300m (985ft) into Port Phillip Bay, with a boardwalk allowing visitors to promenade above the waves. There are beach volleyball courts, and adjacent Logan Reserve has a children’s playground.

• Location: 50 minutes from the city center.

• How to get there: Train to Altona station.

• Amenities: There are public toilets in Logan Reserve behind the beach.

• Hours: 24 hours.

Local tip: Grab a serving of fish and chips from Altona Beach Bites and take it across the street to the picnic tables above the beach to enjoy the bay views.

5. Williamstown Beach

Best for variety

Another west-side gem, this stretch of coarse, golden sand at the seafaring suburb of Williamstown is an appealing spot for a dip, with its curved shape creating a protected area that’s perfect for families. There’s a kiosk selling snacks and coffee at one end, while at the other end is the upscale Mediterranean-style restaurant, Sebastian. Behind the beach is the Williamstown Botanic Gardens, a good place to wander or find some shade after a swim.

• Location: 1 hour from the city center.

• How to get there: Train to Williamstown Beach station.

• Amenities: There are public toilets and showers at the far end of the beach.

• Hours: 24 hours.

Detour: Extend your visit by strolling along The Esplanade and Morris St to Williamstown proper and return by train from there. You'll pass Williamstown Timeball Tower, a 19th-century structure once used to signal the time to ships nearby, so captains could set their clocks.

6. Brighton Beach

Best for photography

A popular beach next to Brighton – one of Melbourne's most exclusive suburbs on the east side of the bay – Brighton's Dendy Street Beach runs between Green Point and the 19th-century Middle Brighton Baths. It’s a lovely place to take a dip, particularly late on a hot summer’s day when the sun is setting and casting its glow across the waves. What it’s most famous for, however, are the Brighton Bathing Boxes, a long row of colorfully decorated timber huts that have been here since the Victorian era – perfect fodder for selfies and Instagram shots.

• Location: 1 hour from the city center.

• How to get there: Middle Brighton and Brighton Beach railway stations.

• Amenities: There are public toilets near the beach and in the park.

• Hours: 24 hours.

7. Sorrento

Best for total relaxation

As far south as you can go in Melbourne, on the Mornington Peninsula, is Sorrento, which is as charming as its namesake on the Italian Riviera. Situated on a long, narrow peninsula, it’s a place of aquatic contrasts: on the south shore are the unpredictable waters of Bass Strait, while on the north shore lies the much gentler Front Beach. Admire Sorrento’s historic limestone buildings before heading for the sand, which is framed by stands of Norfolk pines and a long jetty. You can hire stand-up paddleboards on the foreshore and fuel up afterwards at The Baths restaurant near the pier.

• Location: 1.5 to 3 hrs by public transport from the city center.

• How to get there: By car, the 90-minute trip is easy. It's possible to arrive by public transport via a train to Frankston and a bus (but you definitely want to stay over after all that travel).

• Amenities: There are public toilets near the pier.

• Hours: 24 hours.

Detour: From Sorrento, you can catch the regular ferry across the bay to Queenscliff, an attractive seaside town on the Bellarine Peninsula, opposite. It’s a great place for an overnight stay, or take a bus onward from there to Geelong, returning to Melbourne via train.