When the drive to Lorne is just that bit too long and you can’t face schlepping out to Sorrento, these are the best beaches to beat the heat in Melbourne.
Sandwiched between Sandringham and Mentone in Melbourne’s south, the deeper, clear waters of Black Rock Beach and its sister beach Half Moon Bay make it popular with swimmers. The pretty strip of beach feels far more remote than its 20km from the CBD.
The start of a nearly 4km city beach, Mentone offers plenty of space to spread out your towel. The 24-hour dog beach at the very northern end is beloved by local hounds and their owners.
Mordi beach is a favourite with families, the southern end of a wide expanse of sand running to Mentone in the north. Visit the vicinity of Horse Paddock Beach before 10am and you might even spot a horse taking a dip – it’s one of the few local councils to allow equestrian beach goers.
Flanked by a heritage-listed pier and a stand of stately Norfolk Pines, Altona Beach is one of the western suburb’s favourite places to cool down. Calm and well patrolled, it’s packed with families when the mercury creeps up.
Half Moon is a slip of a beach largely concealed from the road by scrub and craggy red cliffs. Pack your snorkel; this is one of the best places to explore underwater within city limits. All beach days here must end with fish and chips at the famed Cerberus Beach House and Kiosk.
Ah St Kilda. The beach might not always be the cleanest and the water not the clearest, but on a hot summer’s day there’s no beating the vibe – when it feels like every sweltering city dweller descended the six kilometres south to revel in the sun.
An easy 30-minute drive from the heart of the city, Elwood is a dip of golden sands with scenic skyline views. Hugged by a popular bike and pedestrian path, it’s an ideal stop off on a beach crawl from St Kilda down south.
Anyone is free to enjoy the sands at this posh postcode, which is worth visiting even if just to ogle the mansions. The 82 candy-coloured wooden beach boxes lining the shore are one of Melbourne’s most iconic sights; and the dog beach near the marina is one of the city’s most popular.
The historic port is one of the closest beaches to the CBD, but often gets overlooked in favour of its famous neighbour St Kilda. Getting here is easy too, the palm studded promenade is a quick tram ride from the CBD and there’s plenty of grand old pubs for a post-swim feed.
A short drive of train ride from Melbourne and you’ll find yourself at Williamstown. The seaside location offers gorgeous view across Port Phillip Bay and clean and wide sandy beach for those seeking to cool off. During the steamy summer months there are lifeguards patrolling the beach.
What’s so great about this beach is how convenient its location is. Port Melbourne Beach is an easy tram ride from Melbourne City. Here you’ll find wide plains of sand, plenty of spot to barbecue and loads of playgrounds. Some of the areas of the beach are even dog friendly for those with fur babies that like to splash about.
This beach is well-worth the 50 minute drive from Melbourne City. Keen swimmers will be rewarded with a long stretch of beach that runs for nine kilometres. The Frankston section begins at the Olivers Hill Boat Ramp, past Frankston Pier until it joins up with Seaford beach to the north.
