Best Beaches in Victoria: 16 Must-Visit Spots for Summer

The beach holds a special place in every Aussie’s heart — whether it’s to cool down from the sweltering summer heat or to escape for a weekend away with the girls. Our picks of the best beaches in Victoria tick every box.

With some of the best beaches in the world found in Australia, we're truly spoilt for choice, and Victoria is no exception. Stretching over 2,500 kilometres, its rugged shores and pristine sands hug the Southern Ocean.

If you’re after that quintessential day at the beach or seeking your own slice of paradise, we’ve discovered the most incredible beaches in Victoria for the ultimate sandy sojourn.

St Kilda Beach

Some of the best beaches are the ones where you can just grab your towel on the way out the door and pop down to on a hot summer’s day. With a tram line running from the city basically to the water’s edge, St Kilda Beach remains an ever-popular go-to for Melburnians and tourists alike.

The beach is a safe swimming spot for all levels, protected from Port Phillip Bay by the long breakwall of the newly refurbished St Kilda Pier. The foreshore esplanade is also popular with bike riders and runners. When you're done at the beach for the day, head over to the iconic Luna Park for a rollercoaster ride, or go penguin spotting on the breakwall where the resident colony spends the night.

St Kilda, Melbourne 

Mentone Beach

Mentone Beach is a blissful slice of bayside life, where calm, shallow waters and soft sand invite you to slow down and soak up the sunshine. The foreshore, dotted with cosy cafes and the Mentone RSL, sets the scene for lazy afternoons spent sipping a cold drink and hopefully catching the famed 'Mentone Gold' sunset.

The beach is part of the Mentone Foreshore Precinct, complete with a dog-friendly stretch, the scenic Bay Trail, and picnic spots. A former artists’ haven, it’s now patrolled by the Mentone Life Saving Club, with a history steeped in relaxation and sun-soaked days by the sea.

Brighton Beach

Brighton Beach, one of the best beaches in Melbourne, is another stretch of coast that faces Port Phillip Bay. While it's known for its beautiful beach, it’s the 82 colourful bathing boxes that truly steal the show. These Victorian-era wooden structures, built over a hundred years ago when a trip to the beach required a bit more "respectability," have now been painted in a myriad of colours by their individual licensees. A visit here is worth it, even if just for the iconic photo.

Brighton, Melbourne 

Half Moon Bay 

Golden days await at Half Moon Bay, one of Melbourne’s best-kept secrets and a must-visit beach in Victoria. A secluded beauty, it’s especially popular in summer, offering a peaceful escape. The sheltered bay beach is perfect for lying on soft sand with a book or enjoying a picnic with friends. The rugged cliffs provide protection from the wind, making it ideal for swimming. With shade being limited, remember to pack a brolly.

It's also worth noting that with Mobi-Mat wheelchair parking on the sand and beach matting available, it’s one of the most accessible beaches around.

Black Rock, Melbourne 

Sorrento Back Beach

The Mornington Peninsula is renowned not only for its stunning beaches but also for its charming seaside towns. At the very tip of the peninsula lies the quaint town of Sorrento, which, thanks to its unique location, boasts two distinct beaches. The calmer Front Beach faces into Port Phillip Bay, while the rugged Back Beach, or ‘Ocean Beach,’ opens onto the Bass Strait. Ideal for swimming, surfing, fishing, and hiking along dramatic cliffs, Back Beach also offers the opportunity to explore rock pools at low tide. It’s well worth the short 90-minute drive from Melbourne.

Sorrento, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria

Mount Martha Beach 

Mount Martha Beach is a stunning two-kilometre stretch, popular with bathers, sailors, and boaters. The beach slopes steeply to the shoreline, with deep water near the sand and a shallow outer bar. Known for its picturesque bathing boxes, the beach is family-friendly and accessible to people with diverse needs. While it's perfect for a post-swim picnic, only strong swimmers should venture into the water. With BBQ and boating facilities, it’s the ideal spot for a relaxing day by the sea.

Mount Martha, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria 

Squeaky Beach

Squeaky Beach at Wilsons Promontory is not only one of Victoria’s finest beaches but also ranks among the world’s best, as noted by Lonely Planet, just behind Whitehaven Beach in Queensland. Renowned for its soft, squeaky white sand—formed by fine quartz grains—and crystal-clear turquoise waters, this beach is a true must-see. Enclosed by striking granite boulders, it offers picturesque views of Leonard Bay.

The scenic coastal walk to Picnic Bay and Whisky Bay is a highlight, making it a delightful destination for friends and families, promising fun and unforgettable memories.

Wilsons Promontory National Park, Victoria 

Refuge Cove

For those craving a truly off-the-beaten-path escape, Refuge Cove is a hidden treasure tucked within the wild beauty of Wilsons Promontory National Park. Reached only by a 34-kilometre hike or by boat, this secluded sanctuary feels like your own private paradise. The tranquil cove, once a refuge for old whaling ships, still whispers tales of the past with whale bones occasionally washed up on the shore. With only basic camping facilities, it’s a wonderful place to disconnect, immerse yourself in nature, and savour the serenity of this untouched, wild corner of Victoria.

Refuge Cove Hikers Camp, Wilsons Promontory

Whisky Bay 

Follow the track from the car park along the creek, passing over the sand dunes to the serene Whisky Bay. Framed by Wilson’s Promontory’s iconic granite boulders, this hidden beach features golden sands and crystal-clear waters. Skip between rocks, soak in the tranquility, and then wander to nearby Picnic Beach or continue along the Three Bays Track. This Victorian beach is particularly stunning at sunset.

Sitchu Tip: This unpatrolled beach is best for a peaceful splash rather than swimming.

Whisky Bay Carpark Road, Wilsons Promontory, Victoria

Ninety Mile Beach

It might surprise you to learn that Victoria is home to the third longest uninterrupted beach in the world. The aptly named Ninety Mile Beach stretches 90 miles (155 kilometres) along the pristine coastline of East Gippsland, separating the Gippsland Lakes from the ocean. With its unspoilt sands, the beach is perfect for swimming, fishing, whale watching, or simply enjoying a relaxing day in the sun. Head to the seaside towns of Lakes Entrance, Seaspray, or Woodside Beach to explore this stunning stretch of coastline and its breathtaking surroundings.

Gippsland, Victoria 

Bells Beach

If you’re planning a trip along the Great Ocean Road, a stop at Bells Beach near Torquay should definitely be on your list of must-visit beaches in Victoria. The dramatic cliffsides create a natural amphitheatre, offering sweeping views of the coastline. Every Easter weekend, this rugged beach hosts the Rip Curl Pro surfing competition, drawing the world’s best surfers. Bells Beach is best suited for experienced riders, as big swells from the Southern Ocean crash over the shallow reef, with the biggest waves typically arriving in autumn and winter.

Bells Beach, Great Ocean Road

Apollo Bay Beach

Time seems to stretch out along the Great Ocean Road, and Apollo Bay is no exception. Hidden between the Wye River and Cape Otway, this seaside paradise is pure magic. With its sparkling turquoise waters, powder-soft sands, and endless adventure, it’s the kind of place that makes you forget the world beyond. The 3km beach, monitored by the Apollo Bay Life Saving Club, is perfect for family swims or simply lounging in the sun. For a taste of the local rhythm, try your hand at fishing from the main wharf—just be sure to pack your Victorian recreational fishing licence.

Apollo Bay, Great Ocean Road, Victoria 

Gibson Steps

If you're looking for a Hallmark moment, Gibson Steps is your spot. Standing just offshore of the Twelve Apostles Marine National Parks are the majestic limestone stacks known as Gog and Magog. While they are not considered part of the Twelve Apostles, their remarkable presence makes for a truly spectacular beach experience. 

Like all great things, Gibson Steps Beach makes your work for it with a cool, 86 step journey down the 70-metre cliff face to reach the beach. If you're not looking for a full leg work out and just want to take in the beauty of it all, head to one of the primly positioned viewing platforms for the ultimate Insta-worthy shot. 

Port Campbell National Park, Great Ocean Road

Loch Ard Gorge

Just a limestone's throw from the iconic Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge is a slice of coastal perfection that has it all—crystal-clear waters, jaw-dropping landscapes, and a variety of stunning viewpoints to soak it all in. Named after the survivors of the infamous Loch Ard shipwreck, who were miraculously washed ashore in 1878, the gorge’s gentle tides are protected by towering cliff faces, creating a peaceful pocket of paradise. With its dramatic beauty and rich history, Loch Ard Gorge is a must-see treasure on the Great Ocean Road. 

Port Campbell, Great Ocean Road

Johanna Beach

It doesn’t seem quite fair that one of Victoria’s best beaches is also one of its most dangerous. On the Southern Ocean’s ‘Shipwreck Coast,' Johanna Beach is sadly not recommended for swimming, but it’s a prized spot for surfing and fishing. In the warmer months, its golden sand and towering dunes create the perfect backdrop for a peaceful picnic. Work up an appetite on one of the surrounding walking trails or try your hand at catching fresh salmon for an unforgettable seaside feast.

Johanna, Great Ocean Road

Forrest Caves Beach

With its pearly white shores and erosion-produced sea caves, Forest Caves Beach surprisingly flies under the radar when it comes to Victoria's best beaches. While it's a known surf spot along the Phillip Island Tourist Road, its unpatrolled waters make it less popular with families and tourists looking for a spot to swim. If you’re keen to check out the caves (and we highly recommend you do), be sure to head down at low tide when they are accessible.

Bass Strait, Phillip Island Road, Newhaven 

Cape Woolamai Surf Beach

Phillip Island has a lot to offer visitors to Victoria — spectacular landscapes, unique wildlife, excellent food, and friendly locals, just to name a few. But first, if you're coming by car, be sure to visit Cape Woolamai. The pink granite cliffs of the headland offer some of the highest points on the island for breathtaking coastline views, while the golden strip of sand below is listed on the National Surfing Register, recognising it as one of Victoria’s premier surfing spots.

Newhaven, Phillip Island

Cowes Main Beach

One of the only north-facing beaches in the state, Cowes Main Beach is one of the prettiest and most family-friendly beaches in Victoria, offering the ultimate spot to soak up Phillip Island's seaside holiday vibe. Ideal for swimming and summer fun, the golden, sheltered shoreline is patrolled by lifesavers during the summer holidays. With low winds and gentle waves, it’s one of the best beaches for families to flock to.

High tide offers excellent swimming, while low tide reveals shallow rocks and tidal flats to explore. The jetty is made for fishing and is also the departure point for several ferries. You’ll also find the Cowes Yacht Club just west of Mussel Rocks.

The Esplanade, Cowes, Phillip Island 

Don't rely on air-con to get you through the sweltering summer, hit the road and explore Victoria's stunning coastline. Whether you're looking for weekend escape or a quick dip without ever leaving the city, our list of the best beaches in Victoria has your summer sorted. Find the perfect place to stay along the Great Ocean Road or continue the adventures with our best caravan parks and glamping spots.