Hampton Beach
The southern boat harbour is perfect for boating, however the beach has been heavily degraded by the lack of sand and numerous rock structures.
Hampton Beach was once part of a continuous strip of sand running from Picnic Point to Green Point, including Brighton Beach. The Hampton Life Saving Club was formed to patrol the southern end. However, construction of the boat harbour in the early 1950s trapped sand from the beach and erosion resulted. Changes made over the years has trapped sand on the northern side and helped Brighton Beach, however Hampton remains virtually a shadow of its former self.
Today the 900 m long beach is broad, but stagnant in the boat harbour. It consists of a few patches of sand where the Hampton Life Saving Club was previously located, and only a seawall, rocks and groyne up to the New Street groyne.
Hampton Life Saving Club is located opposite the Sandringham Yacht Club between the Small St and New St Groynes. The Beach is well protected with a safe swimming area directly in front of the Life Saving Club. There are a few reefs just north of the club house, but these are easily visible from the shore. The Beach is popular with young families, and increasingly popular with Windsurfers and Kite Surfers.
Swimming - The safest place is on the patch of sand in front of the lifesaving club, but even here, keep away from the rocks and groynes.
Hampton Beach has a General Beach Hazard Rating of 3/10 (Least hazardous)
Review:
Brighton beach extends to the south-east and becomes Hampton beach past the groyne (barrier) opposite New Street.
When the beach divides into Hampton beach the beach becomes a lot wider. It stretches down to the boat harbour past two groynes (barriers). There is a promenade running along the beach with seats at regular intervals. There is free parking in the streets in this area which is typically 1P or 2P.
After about 200m, at the first groyne, the beach narrows, curves in an arc and then widens at the next groyne.
Note that the intertidal zone is protected to a depth of 2m i.e. no taking shells, of which there are quite, from the water or beach.
The Hampton Life Saving Club is located at the southern end of the beach not far from Hampton Railway Station. It has a kiosk and toilets. This is the best area to swim.
Past the final groyne the beach narrows to be thin and part of Sandringham Boat Harbour. Avoid swimming here. Near the groyne is a fairly non-descript playground with soft rocks to clamber over, a climbing wall with metal sea-themed handholds, tiny shelter, unshaded seats and hopscotch area.
At the south end at the top of the cliff is a grassy area with unshaded tables.
There is ticketed parking along Beach Road from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and from 10am to 8pm on Saturday and Sunday. There is no standing from 6am to 10am on the weekend to provide access for cyclists.
Access for Dogs:
Peak period: 1 November - 31 March
- Dogs prohibited at all times
Off Peak period: 1 April - 31 October
- Dogs are permitted off leash at all times.
At Sandringham Boat Harbour dogs are permitted off leash 24 hours all year round.
Photos:
Location
45 Beach Road, Hampton 3188 Map
Web Links
→ Hampton Beach (BeachSafe)
→ Hampton Life Saving Club
→ Hampton Life Saving Club on Facebook
→ Sandringham Yacht Club
