Best Beach in Docklands

"Easily Melbourne's largest and most popular beach, a day out at St. Kilda beach is always a mixed bag in terms of what to expect. Popular with people from all walks of life (especially during the summer months) including those with kids, it is always a major drawcard for a ton of tourists, especially in comparison with some of the other beaches listed here, and is basically Melbourne's equivalent to a Manly or Bondi of Sydney beach fame. While St. Kilda beach has a fairly "seedy" reputation, many steps have been taken over the past decade or so to clean up its image and improve on the public perception, especially in terms of catering to families with kids, with the beachfront having been recently redeveloped."

"The calm waters of Elwood Beach make it great for swimming, and sometimes there’s enough surf for some boogie boarding. There’s the Bayside Trail bike and running track if you fancy a walk or cycle, plus cafes a’plenty. Getting there: Elwood Beach is 9km from the city centre."

"A little bit further south, Elwood Beach comes with plenty of parking and is less crowded than its famous neighbour St Kilda. Elwood has a great beachside vibe with quaint little shops and cute cafes. The promenade is great for prams and scooters."

"Another easily accessible from Melbourne CBD via their light rail system within around fifteen minutes, Port Melbourne Beach is an easily-reachable relaxed experience for a lazy day outdoors. With many narrow grass lawns that are dotted with lovely green palm trees, wide plains of sand and shallow temperature waters sum up what this beach is all about. Low sand dunes for lazing on offer a great level of wind protection, and the beach's pedestrian path is popular with cyclists and rollerbladers alike."

"Thanks to its close proximity to the city centre of Melbourne, Port Phillip Beach is the easiest to access for short-term visitors and families that don’t have their own transport while in Melbourne. It is actually hard to believe that a beach as pretty as this would be so close to a major city. Port Melbourne beach offers the full package of sand dunes, historic buildings such as the Princess Pier, restored workers’ cottages and the beachside rotunda."

"Albert Park, a suburb located right in the south-central of Melbourne, is home to a lovely little beach featuring a sandy, narrow stretch of coastline with safe, sheltered waters that makes it a great choice of beach destination in Melbourne with kids, especially due to how easy it is to reach from most major accommodation spots in the city. Accessible via public transport within around 20 minutes from the Melbourne CBD and situated next to the tram terminal on Victoria Ave, Albert Park Beach eases gently into the shallow and calm waters of Port Phillip Bay, making for ideal swim conditions for kids. The beach is a popular location for all beach-going purposes; not only swimming but sunbathing, windsurfing, kite boarding and walks along the road pier are all viable options to pass the time on the beach, while there are also many walking and bicycle paths that are popular with those rollerblading or simply going for a stroll."

"A little bit further south, Half Moon Beach is less accessible by public transport and parking fees can be shocking. Nevertheless, Half Moon Beach is a very attractive location and the trip down Beach Road on a hot summer’s day might be worth your while. Here you can see Australian’s nature at its best."

"Originating in Maroochydore’s renowned Ocean Street, this winning burger shop now has multiple stores located in Queensland, NSW, Victoria, and South Australia. Hello Harry utilises finely crafted cooking techniques to create distinctively different burgers at a great price point. The menu offers loads of cool and different options such as grass-fed beef, pulled pork, brisket, and Tijuana chicken which features jalapenos, house-made relish, and baked peppers."

"Parlour Diner would be best suited to be the proverbial poster child for what an authentic American Burger joint should look like. With classics that contain influences from international cuisines, you may just find the best burger in Melbourne here. The crispy fried chicken and brioche bun combination are revered by locals and burger lovers who travel from further afield for one of the best burger shops in Melbourne."

"The Sanctuary Lakes Hotel is a local favourite and a hidden gem, sure to raise your expectations of what a suburban hotel, should be like. With a family-friendly atmosphere and a dedication to offering a range of dining and entertainment options including the best buffet Melbourne, it’s a night out every member of the family can enjoy. The best buffet Melbourne at The Sanctuary Lakes Hotel is accompanied by an exceptional selection of tap beers, local and international wines, and top-shelf spirits."

"Restaurants Japanese Fitzroy. This tiny Japanese cafe may be small, but it's mighty. They specialise in healthy Japanese options, with a range of proteins of the day that can be anything from a balsamic, teriyaki glazed piece of salmon to nasu dengaku with a range of pickles and wild rice."