The best beaches to take your family, dog this summer
You don’t need to head north for a beach experience this summer. Here are Victoria’s best family, dog and hidden beaches.
Victoria
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Feel the sand between your toes this summer at one of these Victorian beaches — whether you’re taking the family, dog or looking for a hidden gem away from the crowds.
BEST FAMILY BEACHES
HALF MOON BAY
Beach Rd, Beaumaris
Safe and shallow bay? Tick. Quieter than Mordialloc beach? Tick. Half Moon Bay is ideal for families if you enjoy a laid-back day at the beach. Black Rock Village is also close-by for a meal on the way home.
CARRUM
Nepean Hwy, Carrum
No waves, seaweed-free water and clear, soft sand makes Carrum beach a Melbourne favourite. Arrive early to nab a carpark along the road.
ALTONA BEACH
Esplanade, Altona
This patrolled beach stretches for 3km, making it ideal for a game of beach cricket. The water is calm, shallow and at low tide is perfect for little tykes to paddle about. For more adventurous families, stand-up paddle boarding and kitesurfing is available.
ROSEBUD
Jetty Rd, Rosebud
Visit this beach to avoid a carload full of sand. You’re welcome to set foot on the beach, but the kids may be preoccupied with the massive foreshore playground, with long slides that follow the curve of the dunes and a flying fox. The water is shallow and calm as well.
SMITHS BEACH, PHILLIP ISLAND
Smiths Beach Road, Smiths Beach
Smiths Beach is where the locals flock come summer. Think gentle, calm and shallow water that’s patrolled in summer. Snorkelling is ideal during low tide to explore the larger rock pools. There’s toilets, change rooms and an outdoor shower.
BEST HIDDEN GEMS
PEARSES BEACH, BLAIRGOWRIE
Pearses Rd, Blairgowrie
Find Pearses Beach further east of the overcrowded and touristy jumping rock at Blairgowrie. The beach is on the ocean side of the Mornington Peninsula and has plenty of sandy trails connecting to even more remote beaches.
RED ROCKS BEACH
POINT ADDIS
This beach is so remote you’ll struggle to find it on Google. Here’s a hint: it’s just off Point Addis between Torquay and Anglesea. Wild and weathered stretches of beach is accessible via Surf Coast Walk from Point Addis to Anglesea, and continues through to Urquhart Buff.
JAWBONE MARINE SANCTUARY
WILLIAMSTOWN
When Williamstown’s main beach is humming, best to head one-kilometre down the road to find this gem. This marine sanctuary is the closest to Melbourne, perfect for snorkellers who want to see jellyfish, banjo sharks and sea stars up close.
POINT KING BEACH
PORTSEA
At the end of a long road of Portsea mansions is a hidden, wooden staircase leading to a secluded beach. Some may have already uncovered this gem at the end of the Point King Beach Rd, but it’s worth a gander regardless.
BETKA, QUARRY AND SECRET BEACHES
MALLACOOTA
Mallacoota copped the brunt of East Gippsland’s devastating bushfires. Revisit this summer and check out these three hidden beaches — Betka Beach is where the river meets the ocean, Quarry Beach has some colourful rock formations while the aptly-named Secret Beach has clean white sand, rockpools and a small sea cave.
PEA SOUP BEACH
PORT FAIRY
Find this beach off Ocean Drive near the caravan park. Pea Soup Beach is protected from the ocean by two low, basalt rocks. Clear water without seaweed makes this perfect for little kids. Older children will get a thrill from swimming further out past the rocks.
SHELLEY BEACH
KILCUNDA
Tear down the South Gippsland and Bass Highways for 90 minutes and you’ll find Shelley Beach in Kilcunda. If you walk past the swimmers at the main beach, you’ll find a private slice of paradise with crystal clear water and plenty of seashells for a take-home souvenir.
CAPE BRIDGEWATER BAY
PORTLAND
This one is probably too far for a day trip. But if you’re spending time in south west Victoria, Cape Bridgewater Bay is the perfect place to walk along the white sandy beaches. Don’t get confused with Blairgowrie’s Bridgewater Bay beach.
SEALERS COVE, REFUGE COVE AND LITTLE WATERLOO BAY
WILSONS PROMONTORY
Feel a world away from Melbourne at this secluded beach at Wilsons Prom. But a word of warning — it’s a bit of a hike to get to these beaches, 13km one-way. If you’re feeling adventurous it’s worth the trip just for a glimpse of that water.
FAIRY COVE
WILSONS PROMONTORY
The trip to this beach is also a bit of a hike, 45 minutes from Darby River Caravan Park. The end result is crystal clear water, giant rock formations and rock pools.
BEST DOG BEACHES
THIRTEENTH BEACH, BARWON HEADS
Not only is this a popular surf spot, but this Barwon Heads beach is a year-round dog friendly beach.
CAMERONS BIGHT, BLAIRGOWRIE
Don’t take your dog to the beach between 12pm and 7pm if you’re visiting between December 26 and March 1. But during these times after 7pm you can take your pooch leash-free. Outside of these times you don’t have to have your dog on a lead.
KILCUNDA BEACH, KILCUNDA
Take your dog on any Kilcunda beaches as long as you have them on a lead. The area near the Kilcunda Foreshore Caravan Park and 150m from the west towards the rocks, is a designated off-leash area.
NARROWS BEACH, QUEENSCLIFF
This is a 24-hour dog beach and you four-legged friend can remain off-leash at all times between Roddick Grove and Fraser Street.
ST KILDA WEST BEACH
Beaconsfield Parade, St Kilda
This inner-city beach is perfect for socialising. Grab a coffee, sit on the sand and watch you pooch enjoy the shallows and sandbars. West Beach is one of only five in the council area which allows dogs to run free on the sand year-round.
SANDOWN STREET BEACH
Sandown Street Beach, Brighton
The beach is fully fenced and off-lead year round. The water is also very shallow making it safe for pooches and owners who don’t want to wade out too far to retrieve the ball when playing fetch.
MENTONE BEACH
Beach Rd, Mentone
Mentone Beach is open all year-round for dogs. Take a midnight swim with your furry friend or run wild in the sunshine. Be sure to stay on the sand and between Charman and Plummer Rd, as strict leash restrictions kick into place next door near Parkdale.
TASSELS COVE
Marine Drive, Safety Beach
One of the best beaches is tucked away in Tassels Cove at Safety Beach. The picturesque red cliffs provide a natural barrier for adventurous pooches. Access via a small car park exit Bruce Rd onto Marine Drive.
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