So Melbourne isn’t really a beach city – not like Sydney, not like the Gold Coast. But we’re still lucky to live close to a stretch of water that provides safe, calm and picturesque beaches. You won’t get much surf but they’re great for a paddle with the kids.
Here’s a list of the best beaches in Melbourne for kids. Click here to check the daily water quality of Melbourne beaches
1. Altona Beach
An unsung hero in Melbourne’s west, Altona Beach is my favourite beach in Melbourne. It’s one of a few good beaches near me (well, nearish). The sand and water is expansive, the parking’s not a nightmare and there’s a great playground at Logan Reserve.
There are also some decent eateries around – Norfolk has made my list of 10 Best Melbourne Beachside Eats. Altona Beach also a great place to take scooters. Shhh don’t tell anyone!
Altona Beach, Esplanade, Altona
2. Carrum Beach
We love the nautical-themed playground at Carrum Beach foreshore and it’s got one of the best Melbourne beaches in the southern suburbs, it’s calm and quiet.
Easily accessed from the Nepean Highway, with paid parking available, this beach forms the tip of a 9km stretch of sand that spans to Frankston. It’s also within walking distance of Carrum Station.
Carrum Beach, off Nepean Highway, Carrum
3. Mordialloc Beach
Another of the beaches around Melbourne that is a bayside beach and playground combo, with the added bonus of ‘best in Melbourne’ fish and chips from Tommy Ruff or the excellent award-winning Hendriks Cafe in Mordialloc (which is not close to the beach, requires a drive).
Mordialloc Beach, Beach Road Mordialloc
4. Frankston Beach
Another of the nice beaches in Melbourne is the 12km stretch of sand from Carrum ends at Frankston. The beach is always busy with activity with people walking, cycling and fishing. The foreshore playground has a magical castle theme.
While in Frankston, why not value-add with a trip to Jubilee Park, or some of my 10 Things To Do in Frankston.
Frankston Beach, Pier Promenade, Frankston
5. Williamstown Beach
A definite contender for the best beaches around Melbourne; Williamstown Beach is one of the few beaches in Melbourne where you can watch the sun set. Sebastian is at one end and authentic Italian beach kiosk Kiosk d’Asporto at the other end (both of which feature in my 10 Best Melbourne Beachside Eats) plus a playground.
Jawbone Reserve, a fauna reserve and marine sanctuary, is right next to Williamstown Beach, and Point Gellibrand is also close by.
Williamstown Beach, Esplanade, Williamstown
Find Hotels and Airbnbs near Williamstown Beach, Melbourne
6. Dendy Street Brighton Beach
If you’re looking for the famous beach in Melbourne, The most expensive strip of sand in the city is thanks to a row of brightly decorated beach boxes in Brighton.
There aren’t too many facilities around (at the moment) but the unique beach boxes provide great hiding places for kids, plus the beach is reputed the cleanest in Melbourne.
Dendy Street Beach, Brighton
7. Ricketts Point
Ricketts Point in Beaumaris includes a small curve of sand and large rock pools where you can spot marine life. This is a must visit beach Melbourne rockpool aficionados will appreciate.
There is paid parking available, and a cafe which is on my list of Best Melbourne Beachside Eats (and has recently undergone a major refurbishment).
Ricketts Point, Beach Road Beaumaris
8. Albert Park Beach / South Melbourne Beach
If you’re looking for a Melbourne city beach, Albert Park Beach / South Melbourne beach is sandy, narrow stretch of coastline with safe, sheltered waters. And it’s very close to the CBD.
The highlight is the amazing fenced playground with water play, the Plum Garland Memorial Playground.
Plum Garland Memorial Playground, Beaconsfield Parade, Albert Park
9. Half Moon Bay
Half Moon Bay is a shallow and still nook full of local families. It is home to the HMVS Cerberus, which is a Heritage Protected Zone.
Half Moon Bay is also home to excellent fish and chips from the kiosk of Cerberus Beach House.
Definitely a hot contender for the best beach in Melbourne!
Half Moon Bay, Beach Road Black Rock
10. Chelsea Beach
Chelsea is one of the good beaches in Melbourne, with a cute playground, small scooter trail and quiet beach with a long strip of shops make Chelsea Beach a great destination for families.
Victory Park and Chelsea Beach, The Strand, Chelsea
11. Point Gellibrand
There’s not much sand at Point Gellibrand (adjoining Williamstown Beach and Jawbone Sanctuary) but you will find rockpools and a decent playground nearby. As a beach near me, I find it is good for an outing and some water play.
Point Gellibrand, Battery Road Williamstown
12. Sandridge Beach
Right near a fantastic playground, Maritime Cove Community Park and Playground, Sandridge Beach is in Port Melbourne, and stretches approximately half a kilometre of sand.
Sandridge Life Saving Club run as a volunteer organisation and patrol the beach during the warmer months, they have facilities open to members.
As the nearest beach to Port Melbourne’s bustling industry, the views from Sandridge Beach are interesting and varied; you can see the Spirit of Tasmania when in port, the cranes at the Webb Dock, various water craft in Port Phillip Bay, apartment blocks and the CBD.
Due to it’s positioning, Sandridge beach is generally relatively calm with shallow water. It’s easy to access and there’s plenty of parking.
Sandridge Beach, The Boulevard, Port Melbourne
13. Edithvale/Aspendale Beach
If you love fine soft sand on beaches Melbourne south beach Edithvale is best known for its long clean beach of pure white sand, calm water and historic bathing boxes. Towards the northern the bay beach becomes Aspendale Beach, which has coarser sand which was put there in the late 1970s.
A lifesaving centre at Edithvale has great shade and public toilets and the beach has easy access to Edithvale shops and train station.
Edithvale / Aspendale Beach, Nepean Hwy, Edithvale – Aspendale
14. Eastern Beach
A bit further afield but so good it’s worth a day trip! Eastern Beach in Geelong offers a free swimming pool, sea baths, playground, picnic areas and rides in summer.
To add to the trip, or make the most of a longer stay, here are my list of other things to do in Geelong with kids. Definitely one of the beaches close to Melbourne that you should make the drive to visit!
Eastern Beach, 95 Eastern Beach Road Geelong
So…I’ve left off St Kilda Beach Melbourne. It’s Melbourne’s most famous beach and one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions and hence it can be busy, crowded and unfortunately, is is not one of the cleanest beaches in Melbourne.
The advantage is that it’s close to the city and Luna Park, great fish and chips at Paper Fish and over summer there are pony rides in Catani Gardens and the eat streets of Fitzroy Street and Acland Street are nearby.
Have a dog too? Check out the best dog beaches in Melbourne
More places to go with kids with free water play
Best beach cafes in Melbourne
Best free things to do with kids in Melbourne
Best Fish and Chips Melbourne
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