The best beaches in Melbourne

Gorgeous brightly-coloured bathing boxes line the foreshore at Brighton Beach, which is an ideal spot for swimmers, sunbathers and paddle boarders alike. When the wind picks up, there are some pretty decent waves and the rip holes spotted around the place make for some pretty decent fishing as well. The beach is also just a short walk from all the restaurants, galleries and cafés around Church Street that make Brighton one of the most popular upmarket suburbs in Melbourne.

Distance from CBD: 13.5km by car; nearest train station: Brighton Beach, 500m

Best for: A colourful background for your next Instagram photo dump

A hotspot for tourists and locals – St Kilda Beach is like Sydney's Bondi – without the crowds and camera crews. The ocean, while practically wave-free, is great for all water sports, with kite surfers jostling for air space around West Beach and paddle-boarders wobbling hither and thither. The shore is lined with palm trees and a wide boardwalk that attracts cyclists and other wheeled interlopers. The extra bonus with lounging about on St Kilda sand is how close it is to all the trendy cafés and restaurants on Acland Street – and Luna Park, of course.

Distance from CBD: 9km by car; take trams 3a, 16 or 96

Best for: Roller-skating and beach volleyball 

'Willy Beach' to the local folks, this relatively small beauty spot is only a stone’s throw away from the city. It’s a popular beach for swimmers, sunbakers and paddleboarders, but it’s the spectacular views that draw people into historic Williamstown. Just a five-minute walk from the train station is Gem Pier, which boasts a clear, unobscured view of the city skyline – beautiful by day; spectacular by night. It’s no wonder Williamstown is such a hotspot on New Year’s Eve with the fireworks on full display.

Distance from CBD: 14km by car; nearest train station: Williamstown Beach, 500m

Best for: Great views with no tourist hordes 

If the buzz of St Kilda is not quite your vibe, Elwood is just around the corner and offers a more relaxed, classic Aussie beach experience. It's still fairly close to the city, but just far away enough that you could pretend you've gone on a holiday down to the surf coast. The only thing that might shatter that illusion is the stunning view of the CBD skyline, which you can take in from Elwood's sandy shores, especially from Point Ormond. Elwood also has a lovely foreshore with walking and cycling paths, playgrounds, barbecues and sailing clubs.

Half Moon Bay is a secluded, blue-and-yellow postcard of a beach that reveals a fascinating piece of maritime history. Not too far from the shore lies the HMVS Cerberus: a 1870s warship that was scuttled in the bay in 1926 to create a breakwater for the Black Rock Yacht Club (it's now a protected historic shipwreck). Named for its crescent shape, the bay is protected from harsh weather, making it popular for boating and equally perfect for swimming in calm waters. 

Distance from CBD: 20km by car; nearest train station: Sandringham, 2.4km

Best for: Impromptu beach party vibes on hot days 

If you’re looking for a beach that has more than just sand and water, Mordi, a southeast suburb, is the place to go. There’s a playground, barbecue and picnic areas, a bike path that runs all the way back to Mentone and a weathered but sturdy pier that stretches out 300 metres. It’s a popular family beach, so if you want to avoid big crowds, head out during the week.

Distance from CBD: 25km by car; nearest train station: Mordialloc, 1km

Best for: Long, unobstructed stretches of foreshore that makes for a perfect seaside stroll