برچسب: Beaches

The best beaches in Victoria Australia promise boundless sunshine, sand, swells, and spectacular views for travellers.

Victoria’s coastline sprawls over 2,000 kilometres. Beautiful beaches dot this long sandy stretch, as do seaside towns, national parks, and walking trails.

Listing down all the best beaches in Victoria is a tall order because there are just too many! But we’ve rounded up the top must-visit spots that will keep you returning for more.

Here are the most spectacular beaches in Victoria, Australia.

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19 Best Beaches In Victoria Australia

The best way to get to all these incredible beaches is with your own car. We highly recommend renting a car if you don’t already have one! This gives you the most flexibility for exploring the stunning coastline.

The best way to get around is to rent a car and explore on your own! We recommend Rental Cars, which has the largest range of vehicles for the best value on the market.

Torquay Beach, Great Ocean Road

The seaside town of Torquay is the gateway to the Surf Coast and the birthplace of the surfing sportswear Rip Curl. It’s also home to Torquay Beach!

Though often overshadowed by its more popular neighbour, Bells Beach, Torquay Beach is one of the best beaches in Victoria Australia for the whole family. Dogs included (yes, it’s pet-friendly).

On its beautiful stretches of sand, you can have a picnic, sunbake, build sandcastles, or walk your furry friend. 

The milder breaks are tailor-made for those who want to learn to surf or hone their skills. During low tide, the shallow waters near the shore are great for little kids to waddle and paddle in.

Nearby are cafes and eateries if you want to grab some snacks. The beach has shower facilities, toilets, and a spacious parking lot.

Lifeguards patrol Torquay Beach in the summer months, particularly on weekends and school holidays.

Bells Beach, Great Ocean Road

Victoria’s most popular beach destination, Bells Beach, is the crown jewel of Torquay, Australia’s surfing capital.

Bells is globally known for its legendary swells. It hosts the oldest surfing competition in the world, the Rip Curl Pro, every Easter weekend.

Because of its powerful waves, Bells is fitting for experienced surfers. It’s unpatrolled and the strong currents make it unsuitable for swimming.

But you don’t need to be a surfer to enjoy Bells Beach. The incredible scenery makes up for its rough waters!

Dramatic cliffs fringe the coast, creating a natural amphitheatre from where you can gaze at the ocean or watch surfers barrel through giant waves. 

Make your way to the shore through the wooden stairs that snake down the bluff. On the beach, you can set up a picnic, sunbathe, or soak your toes in the waters at low tide.

Johanna Beach, Glenaire

A hub for surfing, fishing, and camping, Johanna Beach is another stunning stop along the Great Ocean Road. It has an off-grid campsite frequented by road trippers, bushwalkers, and surfers.

Surprisingly serene despite its popularity, Johanna is surreal at sunset.

The waves here best fit seasoned surfers. Don’t swim unless you’re a strong swimmer, as the beach is unpatrolled and the waters are rough.

Between August and February, it is a nesting ground for the threatened Hooded Plover.

You can bring your dogs, but keep them on a lead to help protect the wildlife in the area.

Loch Ard Gorge Beach, Great Ocean Road

Named after a wrecked ship, Loch Ard Gorge Beach is one of the most memorable stops along the Great Ocean Road.

Due to its strong currents, Loch Ard Gorge is unsuitable for swimming. But its otherworldly views make it one of the best beaches in Victoria for sightseeing. 

If the scenery doesn’t move you, perhaps its haunting history will. The gorge forms part of the infamous Shipwreck Coast, where roughly 638 ships sank.

In June 1878, the ship Loch Ard, travelling from England to Melbourne, struck a reef and sank near the shallow inlet.

Of the several surrounding walking trails, the most popular is the track down to the beach where the survivors were safely washed ashore. Unfortunately, the access to the beach from the lookout has been closed after a rockfall in May 2023.

You can still see Loch Ard Gorge Beach from the decked-out platform overlooking the coastline.

There are many other points of interest in the area, including various viewpoints, rock formations, a blowhole, and a small cemetery where those who lost their lives in the Loch Ard shipwreck were laid to rest.

A short drive from the gorge is another iconic natural landmark, the Twelve Apostles, a collection of towering limestone columns rising from the Southern Ocean.

You can see both attractions on a Great Ocean Road trip. For a hassle-free adventure, consider booking a day tour of the area.

Apollo Bay, Great Ocean Road

A scenic seaside town nestled at the foothills of the Otways, Apollo Bay is a haven for outdoor adventures and relaxing getaways.

One of its highlights is the three-kilometre sandy beach that follows the curve of the crescent-shaped bay. 

The sheltered waters make it an excellent swimming beach, especially among casual bathers and families with small kids. Lifesavers patrol the area in the summer and public holidays.

Apollo Bay doesn’t have the huge waves that pro surfers chase, but it’s a popular spot for watersports like kayaking and boating.

Seafood lover? Consider lunch settled. Once a fishing village, Apollo Bay has fantastic eateries serving the catch of the day. After lunch head to the Great Ocean Road Brewhouse, famous for its 100 craft beers.

Kitty Miller Bay, Ventnor

Kitty Miller Bay is not the best beach for sunbathing, but the rock pools, surrounding cliffs, and SS Speke Shipwreck create a postcard-worthy scenery.

The bay is more of a walking beach than a swimming beach. When the tides are low, you can go to the beach and scramble over the rocks to the shipwreck site.

For confident swimmers, there are lovely spots for snorkelling at high tide. You might even catch some waves to surf.

Gibson Steps, Great Ocean Road

The name Gibson Steps technically refers to the 86-step staircase carved intro a rocky bluff, leading to a quiet beach below. Over the years, the name has come to refer to the entire area.

Like many spots on the Southern Ocean coast, the beach has choppy waves, making it unsafe for swimming. The view, however, is not to be missed. 

The beach’s most famous landmarks are the two gigantic sea stacks jutting from the ocean. Nicknamed Gog and Magog, these rock formations are simply out of this world, but even more so at sunrise and sunset.

You can see the rocks from the lookout at the top of the Gibson Steps. But if you want to get a feel of how massive they are, climb down the stairs and hike to the end of the beach.

The beach access may be closed due to rough weather or high tides. Be sure to check the weather and tide table before visiting.

Explore more of Southern Australia’s coastline with a Melbourne To Adelaide Drive Itinerary!

Ninety Mile Beach, Gippsland

Unspoilt, untamed, and unforgettable, Ninety Mile Beach is Victoria’s longest uninterrupted beach. 

This pristine strip of honey-coloured sand lies between the Gippsland Lakes district and Bass Strait. It sprawls as far as the eye can see without any headlands or sudden bends blocking the view.

It’s a favourite among hikers, kayakers, campers, and surf fishers. You can also swim in some areas. Touristy seaside towns, like Lakes Entrance and Woodside, have lifeguards that patrol the beach during summer. 

Ninety Mile Beach is within the Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park, the country’s most extensive inland waterways, famous for boating and fishing.

Brighton Beach, Melbourne

Brighton Beach is another highlight. The Melbourne beach is most famous for its row of brightly painted beach boxes lining the shoreline.

In the Victorian era, women used the bathing sheds to change into their swimming attire. Over a century later, most of these multi-hued wooden huts remain largely unaltered, except for a dab or two of paint. 

As iconic as these bathing boxes are, there is more to Brighton Beach!

Thanks to its calm waters, Brighton Beach is a popular swimming spot. It’s also patrolled by lifeguards year-round.

Beyond the shallow sand bar, you can windsurf, kite surf, or water ski.

For something more relaxing, take a leisurely walk on the Middle Brighton Pier or picnic at Green Point, a small park near the beach.

Half Moon Bay, Melbourne

The 350-metre-long Half Moon Bay beach has two distinct sides that offer different experiences.

As the southern bay is partially protected, it has been considered one of the best beaches in Victoria Australia for swimming and boating. 

Apart from the calm waters, the southern part is known for the Black Rock Jetty. From the jetty, you can see the remains of a sunken warship, HMVS Cerberus. Grounded in 1926, it serves as a breakwater.

Half Moon Bay Surf Life Saving Club, the oldest in Victoria, and the Black Rock Yacht Club are also in the south.

The northern end, backed by the Red Bluff Cliffs, is wilder and more raw. The water is deep, with high waves that create strong currents.

For leisure bathers, the patrolled and protected south is the best and safest spot for a swim. Still, the northern section is worth exploring for its breathtaking beauty. 

The beach is dog-friendly, but take note of the schedule, as access hours are capped during peak season.

Read next: How to Spend 3 Days in Melbourne

St Kilda Beach, Melbourne

You don’t have to travel far from the city to experience one of the best beaches in Victoria! St Kilda Beach is just six kilometres south of the Melbourne CBD.

Summer or not, St Kilda is a hive of beach activities. Beyond swimming and sunbathing, holiday goers can engage in windsurfing, kitesurfing, jet skiing, stand-up paddle boarding, and sailing. 

The Esplanade draws rollerbladers, joggers, walkers, and foodies on the hunt for good food.

Walk down the pier to see the colony of Australian penguins. If you’re feeling a little adventurous, try the rides at Luna Park, the oldest amusement park in Australia.

Fairhaven Beach, Fairhaven

Undoubtedly one of the most spectacular beaches in Victoria, Fairhaven Beach is fantastic for serene strolls. This 6-kilometre stretch of golden sands is the longest beach along the Great Ocean Road. 

Its main draw, however, is the cinematic views. On a clear day, you can see eye-popping panoramas sprawling from the eastern headland, where the surf club is, to Devil’s Elbow, a hairpin bend atop a sheer cliff face.

The beach’s eastern end has great swells and numerous breaks for surfing, particularly around Moggs Creek, Spouts Creek, and The Spot.

You can also swim in Fairhaven, but make sure you stay within the red and yellow flags for safety.

Sorrento Ocean Beach, Mornington Peninsula

Sorrento Ocean Beach (also known as Back Beach) is stunning from all angles, from its golden sand dunes to its deep blue waters and the grassy bushland in the background.

It’s easily one of the most beautiful beaches in the Mornington Peninsula. That’s saying something, considering the slew of lovely ocean beaches in the area.

Partly protected from waves and patrolled at peak times, the beach is moderately safe for swimming. But be cautious of the rips and swim only between the flags.

As the waters recede at low tide, several rock pools appear on the coast. They come in various sizes, with some deep enough to swim in. 

Many visit the beach just for the rock pools. It’s important to check the tide chart to be sure you visit during low tide when the area is safest!

Refuge Cove, Wilsons Promontory 

If isolated beaches are your thing, nothing is more secluded than Refuge Cove. It lies on the eastern tip of the Wilsons Promontory National Park and is only accessible by boat or a multi-day hike.

For over 200 years, sailors and boaters have used Refuge Cove to shelter from the turbulent Bass Strait. It’s popular not just with boaters but also with birders and bushwalkers.

Refuge Cove has two sandy beaches backed by lush vegetation. The northern end is larger and more exposed, while the southern section is smaller and even more sheltered. 

There’s a campsite with basic toilets and unfiltered creek water on the south beach.

Both beaches are safe for swimming, but be careful as they’re unpatrolled and the water is deep near the shore.

Explore more of Victoria on these fun day trips from Melbourne.

Little Waterloo Bay

Nestled in the southern end of Wilsons Prom, Little Waterloo Bay is a lovely strip of white sand lapped by crystal blue waters. A steep slope of granite boulders and lilly pilly trees borders the bay from behind.

You can reach the bay by foot via the Telegraph Saddle Track in an overnight hike or a day walk. It’s a popular stop along the multi-day Wilsons Prom Southern Circuit. 

On the beach is a campsite with picnic tables, toilets, and untreated water from a creek.

When the waves are low, the beach is safe to swim in. Be sure to stay close to the shore, as rip currents may suddenly intensify at any time.

Squeaky Beach, Wilsons Promontory

If you haven’t figured out where the name comes from, here’s a clue: powdery white sand that is so clean it doesn’t only glisten under the sun, it also squeaks underfoot. 

Squeaky Beach is not just one of the best beaches in Victoria. In 2024, Tourism Australia declared it the best beach in the country. And in 2025, Lonely Planet awarded it the second-best beach in the world.

We wholeheartedly agree. Squeaky’s natural beauty is hard to beat. The sugary sand contrasts dramatically with the turquoise waters, while the greyish granite boulders bring out the vibrancy of the surrounding foliage.

One snag is that Squeaky is unsuitable for casual swimming due to the rips and strong currents. But if you’re an experienced surfer, you’ll have fun catching the waves.

Portarlington Beach, Portarlington

With its calm waters, sandy expanse, and views of the Melbourne cityscape, Portarlington is one of the best beaches in Victoria Australia for those seeking a relaxing seaside escape.

The area near the jetty is the busiest, with people picnicking, barbecuing, swimming, sunbathing, or just soaking up the warm summer’s day.

Portarlington boasts clear, shallow waters with almost no waves, making it ideal for families with small children. Though there are no strong currents, be cautious of the boat traffic near the jetty.

YCW Beach, Phillip Island

The beach’s gentle waves are tailor-made for novice surfers. But when the conditions are right, the ocean can produce excellent waves for more experienced ones.

The sandy strip between the headlands at each end of the beach is safe for young and casual bathers to paddle in. But be cautious, as the beach is unpatrolled and has sections with rocks beneath.

YCW has a campsite, change rooms, toilets, and gravel car parking. If you need to grab some snacks, there’s a local store nearby.

Cape Paterson Beach, Cape Paterson

The cape has two beaches: bay and surf. 

The curved 400-metre bay beach is a favourite among families and fishers. The area near the shallow bar, away from the rocks at each end, is a safe spot for casual bathers and young kids, while the marine-rich waters offshore draw snorkelers and divers. 

The highlight is an artificial rock pool atop a craggy platform. Built in the 1960s, it’s a great place for cooling off on a hot summer day.

The surf beach is 500 metres long and receives waves averaging 1.3 metres high. The life-saving club, parking lot, toilets, and food stalls are here.

Both sides have lifeguards during summer and holidays. Dogs are allowed but must be on a lead at all times.

Read next: 11 Awesome Free Things To Do In Melbourne

Port Phillip Bay Beaches

Port Phillip Bay has some of the best beaches in Victoria Australia. Many of these are shallow and flat, with golden sand and calm turquoise waters that are safe for swimming.

The swells are seldom huge enough for surfing, but the beaches offer watersports like bodyboarding and kayaking. Several lifesaving clubs operate along the bay, so most beaches are patrolled. 

St Kilda and Brighton are part of Port Phillip’s beaches. But there are several other beautiful beaches lining the bay, including: 

• Williamstown Beach
• Safety Beach
• West Beach
• Dromana Beach
• Elwood Beach
• Hampton Beach

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