Victoria is known for its incredible beaches. Whether you’re looking for a place to relax and soak up the sun, or you’re looking for a place to go surfing or boating, Victoria’s beaches have something to offer everyone. From the Bellarine Peninsula to the Mornington Peninsula and the Great Ocean Road, there are great beaches all over this great state.
Best Beaches in Victoria
Pack your sunscreen and put on your swimsuit – it’s time to hit the beach!
Bells Beach
Bells Beach is one of the most popular surfing destinations in Australia. Located in Victoria, Bells Beach is known for its excellent waves and stunning coastal views. The best time to visit Bells Beach is during the months of March to October, when the waves are at their biggest. however, even during the off-season, there are still plenty of things to do at Bells Beach.
Besides surfing, visitors can take in the beauty of the beach, go walking along the track around it or simply relax on the beach and enjoy the scenery.
Read Next: The Ultimate Guide to Bells Beach
Portsea Front Beach
Portsea beach is best known for its beautiful golden sand and crystal-clear water. It’s located on the Mornington Peninsula, just a short drive from Melbourne. Here you’ll find plenty of things to do, including swimming, sunbathing, fishing, and snorkelling. In waters just off the beach, you might even be able to see Weedy Seadragon.
Portsea is also special because it’s one of the few places in Victoria where you can see wild dolphins swimming offshore. The beach is accessible by walking through W E Newton Reserve.
Kitty Miller Bay
Kitty Miller Bay is a hidden gem on Phillip Island. This beautiful crescent shape beach is a relatively quiet beach in Victoria. Here, you can swim or snorkel the shallow waters at high tide or explore the rock pools and the SS Speke Shipwreck at low tide.
The walk to the shipwreck is 2 kilometres in total or 1.5 hours by foot. You can follow the signs from the beach car park, which take you along the rocks and back to the car park.
Brighton Beach
Brighton Beach is a world-famous stretch of sand and swimming beach located near Melbourne on Port Phillip Bay. The beach is home to a number of iconic landmarks, including the Brighton Baths, a historic swimming club founded in 1906, and the Brighton Pier, a pleasure pier that was built in 1889.
Brighton Beach is also known for its vibrant beach boxes, colorful wooden huts that line the shore. These unique structures have become one of the symbols of the beach, and they are prized possessions for those lucky enough to own one.
Half Moon Bay Beach
Half Moon Bay Beach is a lively beach located just a short train ride away from the Melbourne CBD in the suburb of Black Rock. It has a long stretch of sand, which is popular with swimmers and sunbathers.
The beach is sandwiched between the Black Rock Jetty, Cerburbs Beach House restaurant and Half Moon Bay Life Surfing Club on one end and then Black Pin and Red Bluff Lookout on the other. Dogs are allowed off-leash towards the northern end of the beach.
Sorrento Beach
Sorrento beach is a long sandy beach with rock pools to pay in and a long pier on one end to stroll. It is located on Port Phillips Bay near the seaside town of the same name. The waters tend to be on the calmer side which make them great for swimming or wading out.
Located on Mornington Peninsula, Sorrento Beach is close to the ferry which shuttles visitors and from Queenscliff. If you happen to get hungry there are lots of cafes and restaurants within walking distance to dine at or to take food back to the beach for a pinic.
Apollo Bay Beach
Apollo Bay beach is a beautiful sandy beach that is 3 kilometres in length. It is located on the Great Ocean Road and is well-known for swimming, surfing, and fishing as well as its stunning coastal views. The southern end of the beach is patrolled by the Apollo Bay Life Saving Club in the summer months.
The beach is crescent shaped, flat and protected by sand dunes with a playground and toilets nearby, as well as a whole host of shops, cafes and restaurants within walking distance. The waves on this part of the Southern Ocean tend to be small making them great for those just starting out with surfing.
Ninety Mile Beach
Ninety Mile Beach is the longest uninterrupted beach in Victoria, stretching for over 155 kilometres. The beach is a popular spot for swimming, sunbathing, fishing, and surfing. It’s also a great place to go for a walk, bike ride or simply explore a lesser known part of Victoria.
The beach is located on the east coast of Victoria, between the towns of Inverloch and Wonthaggi. It’s easy to get to by car, and there are plenty of camping and caravan parks in the area if you want to stay for a few days exploring this beautiful beach.
St Kilda Beach
St. Kilda Beach is located in the suburb of St. Kilda in Melbourne. The beach is a Melbourne icon and is one of the most popular destinations for locals and visitors alike. St. Kilda Beach offers a wide range of activities, from swimming and sunbathing to walking, cycling and other physical activities.
St.Kilda Beach is a hive of activity. You can stroll along the boardwalk, and pop into one of the restaurants and cafes located along it. On one end of the beach you’ll find the St.Kilda Pier where you might be able to spot penguins at dusk which call the Pier home.
Forrest Caves Beach
People visit Forrest Caves beach for the fascinating geological feature which give the beach its name. However, the beach is beautiful in and of itself and a popular surf spot for advanced surfers.
The Forrest Caves were formed by the erosion of limestone rock, and they are a popular destination for off-beat nature lovers. The caves are located in the southwestern corner of Phillip island, and they offer stunning views of the coast. You’ll have to traverse across the beach to get there but you might spot an albatross or two along the way.
Lorne Beach
Lorne Main Beach is perfect for families traveling the Great Ocean Road. Located in the town center, it has plenty of facilities nearby and can be enjoyed all year round.
There is a reason it is often called one of the best beaches in Victoria – the beach is sandy, crescent shaped and patrolled in the summer months. It is perfect for sand castle building, swimming, sunbathing or surfing. If you need a break from the sun, explore the center of Lorne, conveniently located just a few minutes away with a variety of cafes, restaurants, and shops.
Read Next: The Best Things to Do in Lorne
Refuge Cove
This super secluded beach is located in Wilsons Promontory National Park, a hike away from any car park. Visit via the Sealers Cove or Little Waterloo Bay walking track. When you get there, you will be greeted by lush green vegetation and clear blue waters. It is both one of the most spectacular beaches and most secluded beaches on one this list.
The cove was given its name because it has been used as a refuge for sailors. The calm waters are great for a summer dip in the ocean. There is hike-in camping here but reservation must be made in advance.
Norman Beach
Located in Wilsons Promontory, this expansive sandy beach is great for swimming, surfing, strolling or picnicking. There is picnic and toilet facilities on site however, this Victoria beach is unpatrolled.
Normans Beach is one of the most loved beaches in Wilsons Prom and can be accessed from the Norman Beach Carpark near the Tidal River campground. There is a lookout point and several surrounding walking trails which connect to the beach to other key areas of the park.
Cape Bridgewater Bay
Cape Bridgewater Beach, or “Bridgie” as it is known to the locals, is a 4-kilometer-long wide sandy beach located near Portland on the western edge of Victoria. This white sand beach has been ranked by the Royal Life Saving Club as one of Australia’s top 10 beaches.
It is is one of the best beaches in Victoria for all-around things to do. However, if you want to swim it is better to stick to the western side of the beach where it is patrolled. The eastern side of the beach is filled with strong, permanent riptides that can easily pull you out to sea.
Read Next: Your Guide to Cape Bridgewater
Gibson Steps Beach
The Gibson Steps are a series of 86 granite steps leading down to the beach near The Twelve Apostles on the Great Ocean Road in Victoria. Initially built by stonemason William Gibson in 1916, the steps have been rebuilt several times due to weathering and erosion.
The steps provide access to a secluded beach which is only accessible by foot. The beach is a popular spot for sightseeing. Visitors can witness the dramatic landscape of the cliffs and the limestone stacks rising out of the sea. Visit during low tide, as more of the beach is revealed.
Read Next: The 10 Best Great Ocean Road Beaches
When to Visit the Best Beaches in Victoria
The best time to visit Victoria’s beaches is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and the days are long. However, there are plenty of beaches that are worth visiting year-round. So, whether you’re looking for a quiet spot to relax or a place to catch some waves, you’ll find the perfect beach in Victoria to visit.
