It’s getting hot in here.
Summer is coming and as the weather swelters, your Kmart desk fan just isn’t going to cut it. With the weather glorious, now is a bloody good time to get some mates together, jump in the car and go for a little adventure. To help you keep cool this summer, we’ve rounded up the best secret beaches near Melbourne for some secluded fun in the sun. Dive in!
Kitty Miller Bay
This peaceful cove sits at the base of an extinct volcano, boasting dramatic windswept and rugged terrain. Be warned though, Kitty Miller does have the occasional shark sighting. Nonetheless, it’s a fantastic spot for beach-combing and is excellent for finding driftwood and interesting shells that wash ashore. Get there for low tide when the shipwrecked remains of the SS Speke come into view.
Kitty Miller Road, Phillip Island.
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Tideways
Referred to by those in the know as one of the best spots in Sorrento, the lesser-known beach is safe for swimming and comes loaded with a large jetty, perfect for cannonballing into the icy waters. It’s a secluded gem with great views hidden between bursting vegetation.
Off Point Nepean Road, Sorrento.
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Half Moon Bay
Half Moon Bay may be one of the smaller beaches on this list, but what it lacks in size it makes up for with sheer beauty and adventure. If you’re feeling especially daring, try swimming or rafting out to the rusted shipwreck of HMVS Cerberus – a vessel first commissioned in 1867.
Off Beach Road, Black Rock.
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Kerferd Road Beach
Kerferd Road Beach is home to a heritage-listed pier, first erected in the 1800s. You’ll be too busy for a history lesson however, with its stretching size perfect for finding your own alcove and clean, vast tides to swim through. At just under 15 minutes from the city, it’s ripe for a quick escape.
175A Beaconsfield Parade, Middle Park.
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Point King
Point King boasts flat beaches with calm oceanside, protected from the elements on even the windiest days. Head down the track to find a a pristine beachfront with reef flats dotted ahead. The best time to go is high tide, when the water rises above the reef for better swimming. The Portsea area is also famous for its dynamic marine life, and is a favourite for budding scuba divers.
Point King Rd, Portsea
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Pearse’s Beach
Pearse’s Beach is a hidden jewel in the crown of beaches that sit between Sorrento and Rye. This is a smaller pocket beach, surrounded with steep and sandy dunes. While not the best for surfing, it’s ideal for breaking away from the crowds when the area heats up for some solitude and swimming.
Pearse Road, Blairgowrie.
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Fairy Cove
Tucked inside the picturesque Wilsons Promontory National Park, this hidden treasure will feel like you’ve stumbled across a private beach all of your own. The only way to get there is on foot, via a walking track from Tongue Point. With squeaky clean sand and large boulders that break the tide as it rolls in, this really is a magical spot.
A 2.5km walk from Darby Saddle, Wilsons Promontory.
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Sunnymead Beach
A top quality spot for surfing, swimming and other warm-weather shenanigans. Surrounded by breathtaking coastal scenery and jagged cliffs, the beach is dog-friendly as well, so your four legged companion can get a dose of sun and sand too. The perfect road trip destination.
Boundary Road, Aireys Inlet.
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Bushrangers Bay
The quintessential combination of serene and adventurous, Bushrangers Bay is a beautiful sandy beach surrounded by sweeping cliffs and occasionally heavily crashing waves. While not always safe enough for swimming, the seclusion alone is worth it. To get there, you’ll need to take a short hike from Bushrangers Bay Track, leaving from the Cape Schanck car park. Getting there after a winding walk makes arriving all the more satisfying.
Cape Schanck Road, Mornington Peninsula.
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Croajingolong
If you’re really after something special and want to find something often left undiscovered by the masses – pack the car and head down to Croajingolong. The gorgeous national park stretches out over 100km of vast coastline. Along the way, you’ll fina a myriad of rolling dune hills, coastal forests and near-perfect beaches. Look out for sponges, sea stars, abalone and hermit crabs hanging out in the crystal clear waters or head towards the tranquil Wingan Inlet. Find your own hidden secret and enjoy, because half the fun is getting there.
Gales Hill Track, Wingan River.
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This article originally appeared on Beat. Words by James Di Fabrizio.
