Beaches · Melbourne · Australia
The best beaches in and near Melbourne
Where to swim and spend a beach day, and when the water is warm.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Redtree21, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
The best-known beach is St Kilda Beach (About 6 km south of the CBD).
Key facts
- Beaches in this guide
- 4
- Warmest sea
- 20°C (68°F)
The beaches
About 6 km south of the CBD · Sunsets and an easy beach day
1.St Kilda Beach
The best-known city beach, with calm bay water, the pier and the Esplanade's bars and cafés behind the sand.
About 12 km south-east of the CBD · Photos and calm swimming
2.Brighton Beach
Known for the row of brightly painted bathing boxes on Dendy Street Beach, with views back to the city skyline.
About 12 km south-west of the CBD · Families and a day out by ferry
3.Williamstown Beach
A sheltered bay beach in a historic port suburb reached by train or by ferry from Southbank, with grassy picnic areas.
About 8 km south of the CBD · Quiet swims and cycling
4.Elwood Beach
A quieter stretch south of St Kilda with a grassy foreshore, bayside bike paths and calm water.
Sea temperature by month
| Month | Sea | Air high |
|---|---|---|
| January | 20°C (68°F) | 26°C (79°F) |
| February | 20°C (68°F) | 26°C (79°F) |
| March | 19°C (66°F) | 24°C (75°F) |
| April | 17°C (63°F) | 20°C (68°F) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 17°C (63°F) |
| June | 13°C (55°F) | 14°C (57°F) |
| July | 12°C (54°F) | 14°C (57°F) |
| August | 12°C (54°F) | 15°C (59°F) |
| September | 13°C (55°F) | 17°C (63°F) |
| October | 15°C (59°F) | 20°C (68°F) |
| November | 17°C (63°F) | 22°C (72°F) |
| December | 18°C (64°F) | 24°C (75°F) |
Staying near the beach
$$ · Best for beach, nightlife, budget and couples
St Kilda
St Kilda is Melbourne's seaside suburb, with a palm-lined Esplanade, St Kilda Pier, Luna Park and the cake shops of Acland Street. Little penguins nest in the breakwater at the end of the pier, and the Sunday Esplanade Market sells local crafts. Trams reach the CBD in about 25 minutes.
- Good
- Beach and bay sunsets; Good-value hostels and apartments; Bars and live-music venues
- Watch out
- Some streets feel seedy late at night; A calm bay beach rather than surf
- Nearby
- St Kilda Pier, Luna Park Melbourne, Acland Street, Albert Park
Getting to the beaches
- Tram — Trams run along most major streets in the CBD and out to Fitzroy, Carlton, St Kilda, South Yarra and Richmond.
- Train — Suburban trains run from Flinders Street and Southern Cross stations, with the underground City Loop under the CBD, while regional V/Line trains leave Southern Cross for Ballarat, Bendigo and Geelong.
- Bus — Buses cover routes the trams miss, and SkyBus express coaches link the airport with Southern Cross Station.
Beach-weather months
Days of 24°C (75°F) or more with no more than nine rainy days come in December–March. The busiest of those is January, so book early.
Beach safety
Melbourne is generally safe for visitors. Watch for trams and cyclists when crossing roads, keep an eye on belongings around Flinders Street Station and in crowds, and be ready for sudden weather changes and strong summer UV. On extreme-heat days, follow official advice and stay hydrated. Swim at lifeguarded beaches where possible and follow local flag warnings.
Questions travellers ask
+Does Melbourne have beaches?
Yes: St Kilda Beach, Brighton Beach, Williamstown Beach and Elwood Beach.
+What is the best beach near Melbourne?
St Kilda Beach: The best-known city beach, with calm bay water, the pier and the Esplanade's bars and cafés behind the sand.