14 of the very best Victorian beaches

Victoria is home to 2512 kilometres of amazingly beautiful coastline, starting at the South Australian border in the west and finishing in the east at the New South Wales border. Much of this coastline is underdeveloped and inaccessible to many, with cliffs, gorges and thick coastal flora.

In saying this, there are many beaches in Victoria that can be accessed and loved by people who love nothing more than going to the best Victorian beaches.

Where are the best beaches in Victoria?

If you ask any Victorian local, they will have their own favourite beach in Victoria. Visiting the beach in Victoria is a pastime for many people, and in the summertime, you will find many beaches in Victoria full to the brim, with swimmers, sunbakers and surfers.

In this post, we have asked our amazing Explore Victoria Facebook Group members to recommend their best beaches in Victoria.

Yambuk beach

If you’re looking for a beautiful beach to enjoy a swim and some sun and sand, then Yambuck Beach in Victoria, Australia, is the place for you. With crystal-clear water and pristine white sand, it’s easy to spend a lazy day lounging on the beach here.

The beach can be accessed via a small car park at the end of Yambuck Road. From there, it’s an easy walk down to the sand. Keep in mind that no toilets or showers are available, so come prepared.

The surf at Yambuck beach is considered dangerous for those with no ocean swimming experience and there are likely to be strong rips around the reefs.

If you decide to swim here, stay close to the shore, cool down in the wash, and stay well clear of the rips and reefs. There’s also plenty of space to spread out on the sand and relax at this picturesque location, making Yambuck beach one of the best Victorian beaches.

Best Victorian Beaches – Gibsons Steps Great Ocean Road

If you’re looking for a great spot for some epic pictures of one of the best Victorian beaches on the Great Ocean Road, Gibson’s Steps Beach is worth a visit. It’s located just near the 12 apostles, with 86 steps leading you down to the beach.

The beach is one of the most picturesque in the world with towering cliff faces and the 12 apostles in sight.  The beach is 1.1 km long with sometimes hazardous swimming conditions, usually with two large rips.

This is undoubtedly a beautiful beach in Victoria to be admired and looked at without going into the water. Parking and toilets are available at the 12 Apostles visitor’s centre, making this one of the most picturesque Victorian beaches and best attractions on the Great Ocean Road.

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Best Victoria beaches – Fairhaven beach

Fairhaven Beach is located on the Surf Coast in Victoria. This 6-kilometre-long beach is a beautiful, sandy beach perfect for swimming and sunbathing.

The beach is also great for fishing, with several good spots for catching salmon. The conditions at Fairhaven Beach are usually mild, making it a great place to swim and visit all year round. There is plenty of parking available, and lifeguards patrol the beach during the summer months.

Surf beaches in Victoria – Torquay

If you’re looking for a great Australian beach to visit, Torquay is definitely worth considering having some of the best Victorian beaches right on its doorstep. With its sweeping ocean views and wide, sandy beaches, it’s easy to see why this location is so popular.

The water conditions are generally safe for swimming, although it can get a little rough at times, and plenty of parking is available close to the beach.

The 800-meter-long Torquay beach can become quite crowded during the summer months, so arrive early if you want to find a spot to spread your towel. On the foreshore above the beach, you will find many grass areas, perfect for picnics and BBQs.

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Best Victorian beaches – Point Roadknight

Point Roadknight is a well-known spot for locals and visitors looking for a great beach to swim, sunbathe and surf. The location is perfect, situated on the Bellarine Peninsula only minutes from Geelong and Queenscliff.

The beach is also close to the popular tourist destination of Point Lonsdale. The conditions at Point Roadknight are usually very good, with a wide-open bay that offers plenty of space for swimming, surfing, and kayaking.

The waves here can get big, so it’s an excellent spot for experienced surfers. There is also a good break wall for those who prefer calmer waters.

Parking can be a bit of an issue at peak times, but it’s not too bad overall. And there are toilets and showers available on site.

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St Kilda Beach – best beaches in Melbourne

St Kilda Beach, located just 6 kilometres from the city centre, makes on one of the most popular Melbourne beaches. This sandy haven is perfect for beach lovers, with swimming, windsurfing, and paddleboarding opportunities.

Adjacent to the beach stands the iconic Luna Park, an amusement park and the Esplanade which is lined with shops, restaurants and bars. Don’t miss a leisurely stroll on St Kilda Pier, where penguins often charmingly appear at dusk.

The beach is renowned for its stunning sunsets, making it an ideal spot to relax and soak in the beauty of Melbourne’s coastline.

Mornington Peninsula beaches – Dromana Beach

Dromana Beach is on the Mornington Peninsula near Melbourne. Beaches on the Mornington Peninsula are voted as some of the best Victorian beaches and are popular on hot days, with people from the city heading out for a swim.

Port Phillip Bay has a sandy bottom and next to no waves, making Dromana Beach a safe option for families with little kids.

The beach is also great for sunbathing and watching the sunset over the bay’s water. The beach is home to the expensive and famous colourful Melbourne bathing boxes. For the more adventurous you can jump off the Dromana Pier into the water. Many kids do tricks and jump off the pier into the water.

Dromana Beach is generally safe, but take care, as always, when swimming. There’s plenty of parking, but it can get busy on weekends. There are some great Mornington Peninsula beaches nearby.

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Normans Beach

Normans Beach in the Wilson’s Promontory National Park, Victoria, is a picturesque sandy Victorian beach famed for its striking beauty. As you walk over the dunes onto the beach, you will be struck by its soft white sands, clear waters, and rugged cliffs, making it ideal for swimming, sunbathing, and picnicking.

Remember sunscreen, water, and respect for the environment, as Normans Beach promises a serene escape for nature lovers and beachgoers alike in Victoria’s coastal paradise.

Located at Tidal River, accommodation options and hiking trails allow you to encounter kangaroos, wallabies, and marine life like dolphins and seals. Victoria is home to some of the best beaches in the world, and Norman’s Beach is right there.

Little Waterloo Bay

If you’re looking for a secluded beach, Little Waterloo Bay is a great option for the best beaches in Victoria. This white sand beach in Victoria at Wilson’s Promontory is reachable via a 32-kilometre return hike to the Tidal River.

Most visitors to Little Waterloo Bay bring a tent and camp for a few days to enjoy the isolated locations. The campground is well maintained by Parks Victoria and has drop toilets for use. The beach is 300 meters long and the conditions are usually good with small to moderate waves making this another one of the best Victorian beaches. Could this be the best beach in Victoria?

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90 Mile Beach Victoria – Golden Beach

Golden Beach is a small coastal town in the east of the state accessible off the South Gippsland Highway. The small community is made up of a general store, a cafe and a real estate office. Golden Beach is popular for day-trippers who want the sand and waves all to themselves.

You will see kilometres of beach in each direction and maybe even a whale heading past at certain times of the year. There is car parking for caravans, public toilets, BBQs and a picnic area. Surf lifesavers do not patrol the beach, which is suitable only for experienced beach swimmers.

Sunset Cove Paynesville

Paynesville is located in Gippsland, just 15 kilometres from Bairnsdale. Sunset Cove is not a traditional surf beach like the rest but a sandy beach area on the Gippsland Lakes.

This small sandy beach faces a westerly direction and is known for its stunning sunsets across the water. It is not a typical beach as we know it here in Australia, but there are no such waves, making it a popular place for families with small kids who want to enjoy the water.

The Paynesville beach has a small car park, BBQ area and playground, making it an ultra-family-friendly destination in Gippsland. You can even pop over to see the Raymond Island Koalas

Gippsland Beaches – The Lakes Entrance Beach

Lakes Entrance is the capital of the Gippsland Lakes region in Gippsland, Australia. The town is one of the most popular seaside towns in the state, with its population swelling over the summer holidays, Easter, and long warm weather weekends.

The main beach at Lakes Entrance is accessible in the middle of town. A waterway, Cunningham Arm, separates the town from the beach, so you must walk over a 190-meter-long footbridge and then cross the dunes to access the 90-mile beach. You will find toilets, a surf lifesaving club and a café on the town side of the dunes.

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The main beach is a wide sandy beach that is patrolled by lifesavers during peak season in the summer and on weekends. The beach has a sandy bottom, channel and sandbars and is known for its dumping shore break waves that can sometimes be quite powerful. Overall, it’s a pretty safe beach for families in Victoria who love hanging out at one of the best Victorian beaches.

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Cape Conron beach

Cape Conron is 401 kilometres east of Melbourne in Far East Gippsland, making it one of the most secluded Victoria beaches. Cape Conron has rugged coastlines, turbulent seas and pristine sand beaches. Cape Conron is split into 2 different areas with beaches at both East Cape and West Cape.

The facilities are basic, with a car park and toilets at each location. The white sand beaches on Conron stretch as far as the eye can see, making them some of the best Victorian beaches. On most days (besides school holidays), you will be one of only a handful of people on the beach.

The conditions of the water change dramatically from the east to west capes. It can be rough on the East Cape and calm on the West Cape. The ocean has a mostly sandy bottom and is good for swimmers with some ocean experience. Surf lifesavers do not patrol Cape Conron beaches, so you need to take precautions when swimming here.

Bastion Point Mallacoota – nice beaches in Victoria

Bastion Point in Mallacoota, part of Victoria’s Croajingolong National Park, is a serene coastal haven. This picturesque beach is perfect for swimming, snorkelling, and kayaking in its calm, clear waters.

It’s a popular fishing spot, with opportunities to catch local species like bream and flathead. The area offers scenic walking trails leading to lookout points with breathtaking coastal views. Wildlife enthusiasts will enjoy sightings of kangaroos, wallabies, and diverse bird species.

Bastion Point’s stunning sunsets and picnic facilities make it an ideal spot for a romantic evening or a family day out. It’s easily accessible from Mallacoota and promises an unforgettable beach experience during your Victoria holiday.

You will find beautiful beaches in Belize, Hawaii, South Africa and more, but none beat the beaches you will find in Victoria. Save your money on flights to Greece and a Victoria beach holiday. We hope this article has shown you some of the most beautiful beaches in Victoria, Australia.

Beaches in Victoria are out there waiting to be enjoyed, you will find nice beaches near Melbourne and secluded beaches along the east and west coast. Some of the best beaches in Victoria for swimming can be found in popular locations that are patrolled by lifesavers.

We hope this article from us here at Explore Victoria has inspired you to embark on your adventure in Victoria, Australia, from popular caravan parks and pristine beaches to drives along the Great Ocean Road. Enjoy weekends away on the Mornington Peninsula and discover the cosmopolitan charm of Melbourne, Victoria, with a range of experiences for every traveller who wants to visit Victoria.

Whether you’re drawn to the rugged beauty of the Grampians, the cultural richness of Ballarat, or the autumn colours of Bright and Northern Victoria, there’s no shortage of hidden gems waiting to be discovered in Victoria.

Even if you love exploring Gippsland or driving the Great Alpine Road, Victoria has something special for you, and there is so much more for you to discover. If you are looking for more incredible and best places to visit in Melbourne or more travel in Victoria destinations, Explore Victoria has some more articles below for you to check out. Expand your horizons and get out and about in Victoria, Australia, for an unforgettable experience. 

If you have an idea, attraction, or top spot in Victoria, please comment or email us at contact@explorevictoriaaustralia.com.

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