Melbourne, a coastal city in southern Australia, is Australia's largest city which is globally celebrated for its independent coffee culture, flat whites, and passionate local baristas. The vibrant city is shaped by a rich multicultural population from over 200 countries.

Moreover, Melbourne features numerous local beaches and waterfront neighborhoods - such as; St Kilda, Brighton, Port Melbourne, and Sandringham - easily accessible from the city center. For your next travel guide, here are the 7 best beaches in Melbourne.

Read More: 20 Places to Visit and Things to Do in Melbourne

These are the top 7 beaches in Melbourne you need to put inside your itinerary:

Located roughly 6 kilometers (about 15-minute Tram 96 ride) south of Melbourne's central business district, St Kilda Beach offers the most convenient beach location in Melbourne. St Kilda Beach is surrounded by famous landmarks, from Luna Park, the historic Palais Theatre, the St Kilda Pier (home to a local little penguin colony on the breakwater), and the St Kilda Sea Baths.

Popular for swimming (patrolled by lifeguards in summer), kitesurfing, windsurfing, stand-up paddleboarding, and sailing. Visitors can jog, cycle, and walk through the palm tree-lined boardwalk with views across Port Phillip Bay. The beach also lined with vibrant restaurants and cafés.

Brighton Beach is home to 82 heritage-listed, Victorian-era timber bathing boxes on Dendy Street Beach. Each hut is uniquely painted in bright colors and patterns, making it one of the most photographed sights in Melbourne. 

Located roughly 11 kilometers southeast of the CBD, you can reach it in about 25 minutes via a direct train on the Sandringham line to Brighton Beach Station, followed by a short walk.

Situated on Port Phillip Bay, the beach features gentle waves and clear, shallow water that make it ideal for family swimming and relaxing. Visitors get sweeping panoramas across Port Phillip Bay and the Melbourne city skyline. 

Williamstown Beach is located about a 20-to-30-minute direct train ride from central Melbourne's Flinders Street or via the Werribee Line (a short 500m–1.5km walk from Williamstown Beach Station), it is also reachable by ferry from Southgate or Victoria Harbor.

The beach is surrounded with Melbourne's oldest seaport (est. 1837) and features historic landmarks like the 19th-century Timeball Tower and Seaworks Maritime Museum, The adjacent Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail connects to the Williamstown Botanic Gardens (est. 1860), playgrounds, picnic areas, and local favorites like the Esplanade's cafes, restaurants, and long-standing gelato shops.

Half Moon Bay Beach is a crescent-shaped bay framed by vibrant ironstone cliffs, featuring layers of orange, red, gold, and white that glow during golden hour and sunset. As the best family friendly beach in Melbourne, its deep half-moon curve and protection from the Red Bluff cliffs make the water gentle and safe for swimming, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding.

Visitors can eat at the popular Cerberus Beach House or take pictures in front of colorful beach huts scattered in the area. Another majestic sight to see is the offshore wreckage of the 19th-century warship in Half Moon Bay (the HMVS Cerberus) that is partially submerged, with portions remaining above the water.

Read More: 10 Best Things to Do in Melbourne with Kids

Elwood Beach is a calm, family-friendly bay beach on Port Phillip Bay in Melbourne. Because it is situated on a bay, the water is generally calm and rarely rough, making it ideal for young children and family swimming. Lifesavers patrol the beach during weekends and holidays in the warmer months.

The beach is surrounded by Elwood Park and extensive green spaces featuring playgrounds, barbecue areas, picnic tables, and public toilets. The beach is also popular amongst walkers, joggers, and cyclists who love circling around the paved coastal pathways.

Chelsea Beach is considered one of Melbourne's top bayside spots because of its shallow, gentle waves, which make it safe and ideal for young children, non-swimmers, stand-up paddleboarders, and kayakers. 

Home to a historic fishing pier, the Chelsea Yacht Club, and the Chelsea Longbeach Surf Life Saving Club, the beach is also located right on the foreshore, Victory Park Chelsea offers family playgrounds, picnic areas, and public BBQ facilities.

Mordialloc Beach is a popular, wide, and flat sandy bayside beach located about 24 kilometers southeast of Melbourne. It is anchored by a famous 300-meter-long wooden pier that is a favorite spot for walking, sightseeing, and fishing.

The beach offers a scenic, curving promenade and extensive trail system run along the water, connecting to Mordialloc Creek and neighboring areas, a popular spot for walking and cycling by the locals. Backed by the expansive Peter Scullin Reserve, grassy areas, picnic spots, and shaded trees.

Beachfront hotels and hotels located near the beach in Melbourne offer a leisure and fun place to stay during your trip exploring Melbourne. Pick one of these listings and get the best price available via Traveloka:

Staying at the Saint Kilda Beach Hotel (formerly Rydges St Kilda) is just a short walk to St Kilda Beach, St Kilda Pier, and the St Kilda Sea Baths. A tram stop is located right outside the hotel, offering direct and quick access straight into the Melbourne CBD.  Book a room starting from RM533/night.

Holiday Inn BRIGHTON - SEAFRONT is located right on the Kings Road promenade at 137 Kings Rd, you are steps from Brighton Beach. Many rooms feature large windows or private balconies overlooking the beach, you can ask the availability through the staff members. Book a stay here starting from RM354/night.

The Prince Hotel is located a short 6 to 7-minute walk from St Kilda Beach and close to the palm-lined Esplanade. Situated within the walking distance to Luna Park, Fitzroy Street, Acland Street shops, and the Palais Theatre, a great place to stay in the vibrant cultural hub of St Kilda. Book your stay starting from RM523/night.

Read More: Best Luxury and Unique Hotels in Melbourne

Melbourne's beaches are great because they combine calm, family-friendly waters along Port Phillip Bay with a vibrant, easily accessible urban lifestyle just minutes from the city center. From St Kilda to Mordialloc Beach, plan your refreshing beach adventure in Melbourne.

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