Beaches in Port Phillip facts for kids

Port Phillip Bay in Victoria, Australia

Port Phillip is a large bay in Victoria, Australia. It's a popular spot because of its many beaches. Most of these beaches are flat, shallow, and long. This means the waves are usually very small, making them super safe for swimming!

Because the beaches are so safe and fun, lots of families visit Port Phillip during summer and school holidays. You can enjoy water sports like body boarding and even surfing here. It's usually pretty easy, unless the weather gets really wild.

You'll find most of the sandy beaches on the northern, eastern, and southern sides of the bay. The western side has some sandy beaches too, but it also has different kinds of areas like swampy wetlands and mangroves. Sometimes, you might even find a pebble beach or some easy sand dunes, especially towards the southern parts of the bay.

Exploring the Beaches of Port Phillip

Port Phillip Bay is home to many different beaches, each with its own charm. Let's take a look at some of the popular areas around the bay.

Beaches in Hobsons Bay

A peaceful view of St Kilda Beach and its pier

This area has several well-known beaches that are easy to get to from the city.

• Yarra River (This is where the river meets the bay)
• Sandridge Beach - Port Melbourne
• Port Melbourne Beach - Port Melbourne
• South Melbourne Beach - Albert Park
• West Beach - St Kilda West
• St Kilda Beach - St Kilda

Beaches Between Hobsons and Beaumaris Bays

Elwood Beach, a lovely spot on Port Phillip

Point Ormond, a scenic point near Elwood, Victoria (2009)

Moving south, you'll find a stretch of beautiful beaches, perfect for a day out.

• Elwood Beach - Elwood
• Seacombe Grove Beach - Brighton
• Middle Brighton Beach - Brighton
• Dendy Street Beach - Brighton (famous for its colourful beach boxes!)
• Brighton Beach - Brighton
• Hampton Beach - Hampton
• Sandringham Beach - Sandringham
• Half Moon Bay Beach - Black Rock
• Black Rock Beach - Black Rock
• Ricketts Point Beach - Beaumaris (This area is also a marine sanctuary, great for exploring sea life!)
  • Watkins Bay Beach
  • Keefers Cove Beach

Beaches in Beaumaris Bay

Colourful beach huts line the beach at Aspendale.

Port Phillip Bay as seen from Olivers Hill, Frankston on the eastern side

This part of the bay offers long, sandy stretches, ideal for swimming and relaxing.

• Mentone Beach - Mentone
• Parkdale Beach - Parkdale
• Mordialloc Beach - Mordialloc
• Aspendale Beach - Aspendale
• Edithvale Beach - Edithvale
• Chelsea Beach - Chelsea
• Bonbeach Beach - Bonbeach
• Carrum Beach - Carrum
• Seaford Beach - Seaford
  • Long Island Beach
• Frankston Beach - Frankston
• South Frankston Beach - Frankston/Frankston South

Beaches Between Beaumaris and Dromana Bays

As you head further down the Mornington Peninsula, the beaches become even more scenic.

• Daveys Bay Beach - Mount Eliza
• Mount Eliza Beach - Mount Eliza
  • Canadian Bay Beach
• Half Moon Bay Beach - Mount Eliza
• Ranelagh Beach - Mount Eliza
• Moondah Beach - Mount Eliza
• Sunnyside North Beach - Mount Eliza
• Sunnyside Beach - Mount Eliza
• Mills Beach - Mornington
  • Mills Beach East
• Shire Hall Beach - Mornington
• Mothers Beach - Mornington
• Royal Beach - Mornington
• Fishermans Beach - Mornington
• Fosters Beach - Mornington
  • Fosters Slip
• Fossil Beach - Mornington
• Dava Beach - Mount Martha
• Birdrock Beach - Mount Martha
• Craigie Beach - Mount Martha
• Hawker Beach - Mount Martha
• Mount Martha Beach North - Mount Martha
• Mount Martha Beach South - Mount Martha

Beaches in Dromana Bay

This area is known for its calm waters and beautiful views of the bay.

• Pebble Cove Beach - Mount Martha
• Safety Beach - Safety Beach
• Dromana Beach - Dromana
  • Anthonys Nose Beach - Dromana

Beaches in Capel Sound

These beaches are popular holiday spots with long stretches of sand.

• McCrae Beach - McCrae
• Rosebud Beach - Rosebud
• Rosebud West Beach - Rosebud West
• Tootgarook Beach - Tootgarook
• Rye Beach - Rye
  • Rye Beach East
  • Rye Beach West
• Tyrone Beach - Rye
• Blairgowrie Beach - Blairgowrie
• Camerons Bight Beach - Sorrento
• Sullivan Bay Beach - Sorrento
• Sorrento Front Beach - Sorrento
• Policemans Point Beach - Sorrento

Beaches Near Point Nepean

This area is at the very tip of the Mornington Peninsula, where the bay meets the ocean.

• Shelley Beach - Portsea
• Portsea Front Beach - Portsea
• Ticonderoga Beach - Portsea
• Observatory Point Beach - Portsea (Be careful, the sand dunes here can be unstable!)
• Nepean Bay Beaches - Portsea (These beaches are dangerous and not open to the public.)
• The Rip (This is the narrow, often rough, entrance to Port Phillip Bay)

Beaches in Lonsdale Bay

On the western side of the bay's entrance, you'll find these beaches.

• The Rip
• Pier Beach - Point Lonsdale
• Point Lonsdale Front Beach - Point Lonsdale
• Springs Beach - Point Lonsdale
• Narrows Beach - Queenscliff (This is an approved dog beach!)
• Santa Casa Beach - Queenscliff
• Queenscliff Beach - Queenscliff

Beaches Between Lonsdale and Corio Bays

This stretch of coastline offers more quiet and natural beach experiences.

• The Bluff Beach - St Leonards
• St Leonards Beach - St Leonards
• Indented Head Beach - Indented Head
• Half Moon Bay Beach - Indented Head
• Indented Head Northern Beaches - Indented Head
• Portarlington Eastern Beaches - Portarlington
• Portarlington Beach - Portarlington
• The Dell - Clifton Springs

Beaches in Corio Bay

Corio Bay is home to Geelong's city beaches and other spots.

• Point Henry Beaches - Moolap
• Eastern Beach - Geelong (A popular swimming spot with a promenade)
• Western Beach - Geelong
• Rippleside Beach - Rippleside
• St Helens Beach - North Geelong
• Limeburners Bay Beach - Corio
• Avalon Beach - Avalon

Beaches Between Corio and Altona Bays

Much of this coastline is less developed. It includes areas used for military facilities or water treatment.

• Werribee South Beach - Werribee South
• Campbells Cove Beaches - Werribee South

Beaches in Altona Bay

Closer to Melbourne's western suburbs, these beaches are popular for local recreation.

• Altona Beach - Altona
• Seaholme Beach - Seaholme
• Williamstown Beach - Williamstown
• Shelley Beach - Williamstown
• Yarra River (Another point where the Yarra River meets the bay)