Looking down toward’s Half Moon Bay and the Cerberus shipwreck

I have never thought of Melbourne as a beach town.  Melbourne, my beautiful cultural and geographic melting pot of a home town spreads itself wide and tall.  We live on the cusp of the Yarra Valley in the city’s north east green-belt.  Ten minutes drive from home are vineyards, eucalyptus, the Yarra River and the occasional kangaroo.  The bayside suburbs, which are slightly over an hours drive away seem like a different city to that in which we spend our regular days.  Some of our interstate visitors are more attuned with the city’s beaches and a visit to Saint Kilda is an obligatory component of any trip to Melbourne.  Earlier in the year we explored Saint Kilda, the pier and Luna Park on a weekend staycation.  Just after Christmas I packed our bags for another staycation (while my lovely husband put in hours as a locum) on Port Phillip Bay exploring the beaches of Bayside.   Nature was kind to us for the three day duration of our Bayside stay with glorious sunshine and perfect beach weather.  The result, a beach getaway as it should be – building sandcastles, throwing frisbees, beach-side treasure hunts being the most important activities of each day.  I am now officially, certifiably in love with Melbourne’s Bayside.   Bayside has 17 kilometers of foreshore on Port Phillip Bay and beautiful Bayside beaches are each different.  This post is all about my new love affair with the glorious Melbourne Bayside Beaches and what they offer for families with little ones – either on a staycation like ourselves, visiting from out of town or a day trip.

Half Moon Bay

The Cerberus Shipwreck

Half Moon Bay is spectacular gorgeousness epitomized.  The 350 meter long bay is partially protected making it a safe swimming beach.  On a clear day you can see Geelong in the distance.  One of the striking features of Half Moon Bay is the HMVS Cerberus, a decommissioned Australian naval vessel that was sunk in the Bay.  The ship was afloat from 1871-1924 making it an interesting historical specimen.  Unfortunately years in the water have caused it to deteriorate and snorkeling near it, or boarding it is forbidden.    I am told there is reasonable fishing off the pier in Half Moon Bay however if you don’t want to catch your own I can vouch for the fish and chips for purchase at the kiosk – yummo.  Roadside parking in Black Rock gives you access to the beach via a fairly steep staircase.

The calm, shallow waters of Half Moon Bay are perfect for kids learning to kayak . A local lent my son his kayak to try out in the shallows.

Brighton Beach

Brighton Beach Huts

On any weekend the most expensive house sale price is most likely found in Brighton.  The colorful Brighton Beach Huts are an iconic feature of Melbourne’s beachside scene and the suburbs smallest real estate.  Although other beaches adjacent to Port Phillip Bay are home to Beach Huts the 82 on Brighton Beach are closest to the CBD which looms close.  If the huts ever come up for sale they too command a hefty price.  For us the Beach Huts provided a historic, European backdrop to energetic beach play.   In the afternoon as the winds pick up Brighton Beach receives an added splash of color in the form of Kite Surfers that flock to site.  Stand up paddle boards and kayaks can be hired from the Brighton Baths.  Brighton Beach can be accessed via train (there is a station there) on the Sandringham line.

Viewing the Melbourne CBD from Brighton Beach

Playing on Brighton Beach

82 Brighton Beach Huts

Sandringham Beach

Sandringham Beach

Situated between Black Rock and Hampton Beach is Sandringham.  Sandringham means one thing to our family – snapper.  My father once caught two giant snapper off Sandringham beach and he keeps going back.  He joined us Bayside for our staycation and introduced his grandsons to his favorite fishing spot.  They were more interested in swimming while he fished.  The beach is not patrolled and I was a little wary of the swimming conditions, keeping my kids in the shallows.

Once again, roadside parking is available and the destination is accessible by train. We didn’t make it there ourselves but for family friendly Sandringham dining my friend, who is a local recommends the Sandringham Hotel which has a playground and good pub food.

Swimming at Sandringham Beach

Rickett’s Point Marine Sanctuary

Could there be a more magical place for young children than Rickett’s Point Marine Sanctuary?  It didn’t seem like it on the gorgeous summer day that we visited.  Accessed by car and located in the Bayside suburb of Beaumaris Rickett’s Point provides patrolled shallow swimming perfect for little ones in the summer months.  We were spectacularly impressed with the marine birds in residence – black swans and pelicans among others.  The sandstone rock pools are perfect for exploring in low tide although the marine life found in the pools was not as extensive as we have seen elsewhere.  We did spy crabs and limpets however the small fish were in hiding (or perhaps the pelicans ate them).  Rickett’s Point Marine Sanctuary is a great place for a beach picnic however there are tea-rooms on site.

Exploring the rock pools Rickett’s Point Marine Sanctuary

Rickett’s Point Marine Sanctuary Beaumaris

For our Bayside staycation we stayed in pop-up accommodation in the Brighton Parkside Serviced Apartments.  The apartments are available for hire for another six months and were a comfy base allowing us to explore the region.

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