Why beachside Altona in Melbourne’s west is the best place to live

FROM its dog beaches to its burgeoning cafe scene and laid-community atmosphere, there is a lot to love about Altona. Here’s our guide to everything to eat, see and do in this west-side gem.

ALTONA has long been seen as a sleepy outlier in the wild wild west.

But, to quote the legendary Bob Dylan, “the times they are a changin”.

With a beautiful beach, burgeoning cafe culture, pristine parklands and proximity to the CBD — this sandy suburb meets inner-west green wedge offers the ideal blend of lifestly and community.

And Melburnians are starting to catch on.

At just 13km from the CBD, and just around the bend from Williamstown, Altona is fast gaining a reputation for its liveability and family-friendly appeal.

Sunrise at Altona Beach. Picture: Hamish Blair

Its sparkling bay beach has become a poplar watering hole for city slickers looking for a place to peel off and cool down.

Visit in the heat of summer and you’ll be hard-pressed to find some real estate on the usually laid-back foreshore.

The local dining scene is also beginning to attract foodies from far and wide, with new-school burger joints and coffee dealers starting to revitalise the local culinary landscape.

With myriad walking and cycling tracks and an abundance of parklands, a local dog beach, and easy access to the surf beaches and wineries of Geelong, the Bellarine and the Great Ocean Road, it’s no wonder Altona has caught the eye of buyers looking for a more affordable entry point into the still-in-zone-1 Melbourne property market.

As it turns out, all is not quiet on the western front.

Here’s our guide all the things to eat, see and do in Altona.

EAT

CAFES

Kick off your day in scrumptious style at one of Altona’s many bustling cafes. For some of the best pancakes in town, head to Birdcage Altona. Their hot chocolate pancakes with cocoa and buttermilk, scorched marshmallow, milk gel, fudge sauce and vanilla ice cream are a breakfast dream. If you’re after an AM pick-me-up, Hangar 1one2 has Code Black beans on pour and a seriously delicious pumpkin bruschetta. Get around the feel-good breaky at Bezirk. With brown rice, quinoa, grilled halloumi, greens, du Puy lentils, toasted almonds and a poached egg — it’ll get you off to a healthy start. For food with a view, Norfolk Cafe is your go to. You can grab a coffee, smoothie and surf hire all at once. Beach House is the ideal post-beach pit stop. Rockabye is a new addition to the Altona family and is already making waves. From the same folk behind Hurricane Handsome in Port Melbourne, it’s from the new mould of Instagram-inspired interiors and pretty-as-a-picture food. Try the mushroom saganaki with polenta chips and the pulled pork benny. Yum.

THE DETAILS

Birdcage Altona: 7 Harrington Square, Altona

Hangar 1one2: 114/112 Pier St, Altona

Bezirk: 1A Millers Rd, Altona

Norfolk Café: 139 Esplanade, Altona

Beach House Café: 22 Pier St, Altona

Rockabye Candy: 34 Pier Street, Altona

MORE: CAFE CULTURE SOFTENING EDGES OF MELBOURNE’S ‘WILD WEST’

BURGERS

To quote Florence and the Machine: “Between two buns, it was released. The bread that passed from you to me.” From the burgers to the loaded fries, everything at Between 2 Buns is wicked, in the best way possible. Go the classic burger — because sometimes, nothing beats a classic.

THE DETAILS

Between 2 Buns: 28 Pier St, Altona

MORE: THESE ARE THE BEST BURGER JOINTS IN THE WEST

RESTAURANTS

Whether you want a nice dinner out or some cheeky Friday night takeaway, Altona has all the bases covered. Dragon Temple is the place to go for delicious Chinese treats. The special fried rice and house-made steamed dimmies are a fan fave. For authentic northwest Indian cuisine, give Oye Bombay — formerly Gulati’s — a go; the lamb saag is a stand out. The grilled fish at The Greek Grill is always fresh and delicious, as are the souvas, and the traditional woodfired pizzas from Stella Woodfire Pizza are crispy and have just the right amount of topping. We can’t get enough of the number 12 with tomato, bocconcini, olives, prosciutto and fresh basil. For a more up-market meal head to Pier 71 where it’s all about mouth-watering Italian food made using the finest ingredients. Try the melt-in-your-mouth gnocchi and the seafood pasta, followed by Nutella pizza for dessert. Mosaic is another great alternative for when you want a casual night out. You can’t go past the sticky, 16-hour slow-cooked pork ribs.

THE DETAILS

Dragon Temple: 25 Somers Parade, Altona

Oye Bombay: 23 Harrington Square

The Greek Grill: 43 Civic Parade, Altona

Pier 71: 71 Pier St, Altona

Mosaic Restaurant: 48 Pier St, Altona

Stella Pizza: 56 Pier St, Altona

MORE: A MILLION WAYS TO DINE IN THE WEST

SWEETS

Where do you go after a day spent frolicking in the ocean at Altona Beach? To Altona Beach Bites for an ice cream, of course. And for some of the best baklava in the city, head to Mouna’s Sweets. This Lebanese bakery has all your favourite baked sweets — don’t miss the custard-filled cigars or the pistachio slice with syrup noodles on top.

THE DETAILS

Altona Beach Bites: 137 Esplanade, Altona

Mouna’s Sweets: 1/216 Blackshaws Rd, Altona North

MORE: 10 OF THE BEST PLACES TO EAT IN FOOTSCRAY

BAKERY

Nick’s bakery in Altona has been bringing hot bread to the people for more than 20 years and the quality of their cakes, doughnuts and pies is second to none. Don’t miss their hot jam doughnuts or strawberry lamingtons. The shanklish and manoush from Babylon Bakery in Altona Meadows are divine. And the smell of the bread wafting from Eastern Dawn bakery is enough to make anyone’s mouth water. The meat pies are also a juicy treat.

THE DETAILS

Nick and Suzie’s Hot Bread: 11 Somers Parade, Altona

Babylon Bakery: 40 Rosebery St, Altona Meadows

Eastern Dawn: 310 Blackshaws Rd, Altona North

DO

PLAY

There is no shortage of things to do in Altona, especially if you’re an animal lover. Burns Reserve — otherwise known as Altona Dog Beach — bound by Altona Coastal Park, Altona Road and Altona Workers Club — is a poplar spot for locals and their four-legged friends. With sweeping views back to Meblourne’s city skyline, we can guarantee you and your pooch will love it. For pet-free fun, head to Kooringal Golf Club for a round of nine or 18 holes. The private club is considered one of Melbourne’s finest and also boasts a sports bar and restaurant. Head along to their Morning Melodies sessions that include morning tea, a show and lunch. Get your bounce on at Airodrome Trampoline Park and Inflatables. Compete in a friendly game of Dodgeball, slam dunk with the help of the trampoline or have fun flying and landing in the foam pit. It’s all fun and games at this indoor activity centre.

THE DETAILS

Altona Dog Beach: Altona Road, Altona

Kooringal Golf Club: Wilga Avenue, Altona

Airodrome Trampoline Park: Westgate Sports & Leisure Centre, cnr. Grieve Pde & Doherty’s Rd, Altona North

MORE: BEST OFF-LEASH DOG BEACHES IN VICTORIA

WALK

Get in touch with nature at Hobsons Bay Coastal Park. This expansive park and wetlands covers approximately 23 kilometres of foreshore — from the Westgate Bridge in Spotswood to Cheetham Wetlands, Altona Meadows. Spanning the length of the coastal park is the Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail which is a sealed and mainly flat shared trail, suitable for both pedestrians and cyclists. Also, be sure to check out the Cheetham Wetlands. This section of the coastal trail begins at Apex Park, Altona and links up with Skeleton Creek and the Skeleton Creek Trail. It also includes the Truganina Coastal Parklands, where the summit of 100 Steps to Federation Melbourne offers good views of Melbourne’s skyline and Port Phillip Bay and marks the highest land point between Melbourne and the You Yangs. For more child-friendly fun, head to Cherry Lake, which has a 3.5 kilometre walking and cycling trail around the perimeter as well as a children’s playground and picnic and barbecue area.

THE DETAILS
Hobsons Bay Coastal Park: There are a number of car parking facilities along the trail

Cherry Lake: Millers Road, Altona

VISIT

If there is one structure that is synonymous with Altona, it’s Altona Pier. The pier, and its surrounding beach, is one of the best things about living in this west-side coastal gem. A beautiful, clean beach with shallow water that makes it perfect for littlies and uninterrupted bay views. On Tuesdays, the foreshore comes alive with the Altona Beach Market. There are also plenty of nearby parks with lots if play equipment for the children. If you like a bit of history, step back in time with a trip to the Altona Homestead, the first homestead in the area, built in the 1840s. For those who like their history with a side serve of spook, you can even do a ghost tour. Nearby the homestead is the Truganina Explosives Reserve. Originally established in 1901 for the storage and handling of commercial explosives, the site was declared surplus in the 1990s and is now managed by council. The Truganina Explosives Reserve Preservation Society and council conservation staff run community open days offering guided tours through both the historic homestead and the adjoining reserve. Tours are usually on the first Sunday of each month. See council website for details.

THE DETAILS

Altona Beach: Esplanade, Altona

Altona Homestead: 128 Queen Street Altona

Truganina Explosives Reserves: 276 Queen St, Altona