Coronavirus Bayside: Which suburbs come out on top under 5km from home rule
Loving where you live has never been more relevant under lockdown laws forcing Melburnians to stay within a 5km radius from home. See how Bayside suburbs stack up.
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Beaches, major supermarkets and plenty of take away options are all within reach of most Baysiders under the 5km from home rule.
The relatively small municipality – it’s just 36km squared – has 17km of coastline to explore, more than a dozen off-leash dog parks, eight major supermarkets and a string of gourmet butchers and greengrocers.
All suburbs within the municipality have the essentials covered, although some neighbourhoods raise the bar with their offerings.
See how does your 5km zone stacks up.
BRIGHTON
It’s not hard to see why people pay a premium to live here. And the attributes that come with a 3186 address also make Stage 4 restrictions easier to bear. Those with bay views do sacrifice a chunk of their 5km radius to water but are well compensated by being able to stroll along the sand past iconic boat sheds on Brighton Beach or pick up a take away coffee from The Baths at Middle Brighton without fear of a $1650 fine. If they fancy a steak for dinner there are five butchers to choose from including Church Street Butcher, Gardenvale Quality Meats, Crowley’s Butchery and Meatsmith Specialty Butcher and Wine Merchant. Locals who want to spend their allotted daily hour out of the house filling a supermarket trolley can choose from Woolworths (104 Church Street, Middle Brighton) or Coles (380 Bay Street, Brighton). There’s also plenty to drink with eight bottle shops within the suburb including Liquorland, Vintage Cellars, BWS, Thirsty Camel and Brighton Bay Cellars. Fast food options are a little scarce. But the Colonel does reside in neighbouring Brighton East and most would be able to pick up some nuggets without breaking the lockdown laws. Fur babies will be equally happy staying close to home in Brighton with the postcode boasting a dog-friendly beach at Sandown Street and a dog park with fully fenced enclosure at William Street Reserve. Locals who need to fill up with fuel can also do that comfortably within their allotted 5km radius thanks to a BP servo (601 Hampton Street).
BRIGHTON EAST
There aren’t nearly as many options based in Brighton East as neighbouring suburbs. But residents can visit Hampton, Hampton East, parts of Sandringham and Highett. They can also legally cross the Bayside border to the Glen Eira Council suburbs of McKinnon, Ormond, Caulfield South, Caulfield East, Ripponlea, Elsternwick, Bentleigh and parts of Bentleigh East and Murrumbeena as well as part of Moorabbin in Kingston. If they want to stick to their immediate neighbourhood to grocery shop there is an IGA Express (765A Hawthorn Road) and beer o’clock is taken care of with a Dan Murphy’s and a Vintage Cellars in the suburb. The suburb also boats one of the municipalities best fruit and veg shop – Devolas – which is now delivering fruit and vegetable boxes and offers in store pick up. Brighton East also ticks the pizza box with Azzurro Pizza Pasta and Grill and Dendy Pizza-Pizza. When it comes to exercising locals have one of Bayside’s best green spaces at their doorstep – Dendy Park. The park has a large off lead area for dogs and gums full of lorikeet parrots.
HAMPTON/HAMPTON EAST
Those who call these suburbs home are pretty much in the middle of Bayside. They can visit all of the municipality – except for the southern half of Beaumaris without breaching the 5km rule. Gardenvale, McKinnon, Bentleigh and part of Caulfield South and Moorabbin are also within the radius permitted. Residents of postcode 3188 can safely access the Brighton shopping hub and Southland in Cheltenham. But with the largest shopping strip in southern Melbourne stretching along Hampton Street it’s very easy to shop hyper local. The retail and hospitality hub has more than 300 business including cafes and restaurants offering take away and delivery. Butchers include Lamont Fine Foods and South City Meats, both in Hampton Street. There is a Woolworths (355-363 Hampton St, Hampton and a Coles (361 Bluff Rd, Hampton). Those in need of a fast food fix can swing by Red Rooster at the corner of South Road and Hampton Street. There are five off leash areas in 3188 including a dog-friendly beach at Sandringham Harbour. And locals who don’t want to walk on the beach have 11 other green spaces to choose from including Basterfield Park.
HIGHETT
Many Highett residents won’t be able to visit Brighton under Stage 4 restrictions, but with Southland at their doorstep and the Hampton shopping precinct also included within their 5km radius they won’t miss out. Those who call 3190 home will also be able to travel to the rest of Bayside as well as McKinnon, Bentleigh, Bentleigh East, Moorabbin and part of Mentone.
The Highett Shopping Centre on Highett Road has a Woolworths, BWS, Ramsay Pharmacy, Bakers Delight and Ferguson Plarre Bakehouse – all allowed to open under Stage 4. Unless you are under 12 years old or have a medical exemption you must wear a face mask to enter the centre. Highett is also home to Victoria’s most awarded butcher and four time national sausage king Piero’s Meat Merchant and Burger Boss which is famous for recreating the Big Mac. Locals wanting to stretch their legs have two main parks – Petersen Street Reserve and Sir William Fry Reserve. Most can also access Sandringham and Beaumaris beaches and Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary. There’s also a United Petroleum service station in 3190 for those who need to fill the tank.
BLACK ROCK
A significant chunk of the 5km radius for 3193 residents is taken up by the bay and golf courses. But those living in the suburb can still access neighbouring Highett, Sandringham, Cheltenham and Beaumaris as well as nearby Hampton, Hampton East, Moorabbin, Mentone and part of Brighton East. Locals are serviced by a small seaside shopping centre known for its organic groceries, hand made pastas. There’s also a gourmet Japanese butcher – Kaz wagyu – and for more traditional meat and smallgoods – Black Rock Village Meats. Woolworths Metro, Bottle Mart, Black Rock Cellars and Red Bluff Cellars can also be found in 3193 and Southland is within the permitted 5km zone. The Black Rock 7 Eleven is an option for those wanting to get petrol without straying too far from home. Exercise options in the suburb include Tricks Reserve and those who want to use all of their allotted daily hour can explore the Bay Trail (from New St, Sandringham to Mentone Parade, Mentone).
SANDRINGHAM
Sandy locals have 3.5km squared to explore in their own suburb and can also venture beyond 3191 to visit Beaumaris, Cheltenham, Highett, Hampton, Hampton East, Moorabbin and parts of Bentleigh and Brighton East. The main shopping precinct at the beach end of the suburb between Bay Road and Abbott Street has a Coles and locals can also visit Aldi in neighbouring Cheltenham. They can also get quality fruit and veg from the Sandringham Fruit Market. Thirsty locals can find something to drink at BWS, Liquorland and Fitzroy Cellars Sandringham Store. Sidebar Wine Store and Bar is also on hand offering delivery and advice on how to properly cellar wine. There are plenty of options for fresh air. The main parks include Royal Avenue Park, Tjiltatjirrin Reserve Bay Road and Trey Bit Reserve. There’s also a dog friendly park at Sandringham Harbour and an off-leash area at Royal Avenue Park. Motorists can fill up at the Beach Road Caltex and one of two 7-Elevens.
BEAUMARIS
Postcode 3193 rounds out the Bayside suburbs. Locals also lose a large slice of their 5km radius to the bay. But the sacrifice is more than compensated for with easy access to the foreshore and beach from Parkdale to Sandringham. They can also safely visit Highett, Cheltenham, Mentone and parts of Moorabbin, Hampton and Hampton East without risking a $1650 fine. Supermarket options in the suburb include an IGA and two Foodworks and Beaumaris Cellars can take care of wine time. Most locals head to the Concourse to shop but they can also visit Southland for other options. Aside from the beachside exercise options locals can stretch their legs at Beaumaris Reserve, Donald McDonald Reserve, Banksia Reserve and Balcombe Park. They can also let their pooches run free at the Rickett’s point beach from McGregor Avenue south to the Beaumaris Yacht Club.