Most Beautiful Beaches Near Melbourne

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Named after its crescent shape, Half Moon Bay is located 40 minutes from Melbourne in the suburb of Black Rock. In the centre of the bay is the wreck of the HMVS Cerberus, which serves as a breakwater and attracts aquatic life, making it an ideal place for divers. Shielded by the rugged Red Bluff cliffs, the bay draws in boating enthusiasts and swimmers, while The Pier is a popular fishing spot. Half Moon Bay has the oldest surf lifesaving club in Victoria, and with plenty of parking and places to eat, this beach is easily accessible – you may never want to leave.

Brighton boasts six kilometres of coastline, but it’s Dendy Street Beach that attracts scores of tourists and locals alike who travel from all corners of the world to see Brighton’s Bathing Boxes. Dating back to 1881, these 82 colourful weatherboard sheds were originally used as changing rooms during an era of modesty. Today, they’ll set you back $200,000, but to bathe in the water is free for all, and the panoramic views of Melbourne’s cityscape are priceless.

While Sorrento’s back beach offers an assortment of rock pools to explore, the front beach features idyllic crystal waters with front row views of the comings and goings of the Queenscliff-Sorrento ferry. The gentle lapping of the water is perfect for families, and the two jetties are top spots to cast a line. Backed by a rolling lawn with BBQ facilities, and the leisurely town of Sorrento, the front beach is a relaxing haven at the very tip of the Mornington Peninsula.

Etched with hoof prints, the white sands at Mordialloc Beach are frequented by race horses as well as the odd human or two. The slack breaks mean there isn’t a surfer in sight, and the added bonus of a surf lifesaving club makes Mordialloc Beach popular with families. The shoreline is boarded by a foreshore reserve and features a pier, picnic area, and peaceful promenade.

Fringed by colourful beach boxes, Mount Martha beach is often overlooked for the more daring Pillars, but with turquoise waters, how can anybody resist? Mount Martha beach steadily slopes to the shoreline, and the strong westerlies create waves up to one metre. The beach is popular with swimmers and sailors, with yachts dotted down the stretch of coast.

With menacing basalt cliffs and jagged rocks, Bushrangers Bay is a raw reminder of Melbourne’s natural beauty. Teeming with rock pools and aquatic life, the Bay is an exceptional diving and snorkelling spot with soft corals and clear waters. The picturesque location was used in the film Where The Wild Things Are, and although it may not provide ideal conditions for casual swimmers, the scenery alone is worth the trip.

Three hours south-east of Melbourne is a secluded beach in Wilsons Promontory National Park, accessible only by foot via the Tongue Point track. The spectacular Fairy Beach is scattered with granite boulders and is safe for swimming when the water is calm. Relatively unknown, you’ll feel as if you’ve found your own private piece of heaven.

Amid the mansions in Portsea is a hidden path at the end of Point King Road, which leads down to a pristine oasis of reef flats seething with marine life, private jetties and azure water. Swimming is only recommended at high tide when the water spills above the reef; however, if you arrive at low tide, take a stroll through the cliff-top Millionaires Walk, which makes up a small portion of the Sorrento-Portsea Artists’ Trail.

Located in South Gippsland, Waratah Bay features 22 kilometres of sweeping white sand and unspoiled views of Wilsons Promontory National Park. Suitable for swimmers, surfers and popular for windsurfing and kite surfing, Waratah Bay never feels crowded, allowing for the best game of beach cricket you’ve ever played. With sand to the left and right as far as the eye can see, Waratah Bay is scenic with a capital S.

Next time you venture down the Great Ocean Road to Aireys Inlet, take the road less travelled to Sunnymead Beach. Located 200 metres from the car park at the end of Boundary Road, Sunnymead Beach is ideal for swimming and exploring rock pools plus provides great surfing conditions for beginners. The beach is also dog-friendly and offers stunning views of the surrounding cliff faces.