Port Melbourne Beach

Port Melbourne Beach is one of the closest patrolled beaches to Melbourne city. However, the most accessible parking is restricted to Beaconsfield Parade, and hence the beach is more popular with locals than visitors.

South Melbourne and Port Melbourne Life Saving Clubs patrol a 1.5 km section of beach between the Kerferd Road and Lagoon piers. The reason for having two clubs is that the boundary of South and Port Melbourne Shires crosses the beach midway between each club. Both clubs incorporate dressing rooms and kiosks.

The low beach is backed by Beaconsfield Parade, as well as a low seawall and promenade.

The beach can receive moderate waves during strong southerly winds. When these occur, they maintain a 100 m wide beach fronted by a 50 m wide bar, that is usually attached to the beach, with occasional rip channels. The rips are only active when waves are breaking over the bar.

Swimming - A relatively safe beach when waves are low, still it is best to stay on the bar and in the patrolled area in front of each club.

Wide sand beaches, dunal areas and grass areas dotted with palm trees. Close to CBD and public transport, its walking paths, bike paths and beach tennis makes it popular for residents and visitors alike.

Low dune areas give adequate wind protection and the pedestrian path is popular with cyclists and in-line skaters alike.

Port Melbourne Beach has a General Beach Hazard Rating of 3/10 (Least hazardous).

Access for Dogs:

Between Port Melbourne Yacht Club and Lagoon Pier, dogs are allowed off-leash at all times.
For the remainder of the beach:
1 April - 31 October: Dogs permitted at all times on the beach
1 November - 31 March: Dogs prohibited at all times on the beach

Review:

There is some limited 2P free parking in the surrounding streets plus ticketed parking.

There is a small section of beach between the Port Melbourne Yacht Club and Lagoon Pier which is the least attractive part of the whole Port Melbourne beach. This section of the beach also has a big concrete drain outfall and boating is allowed in this area. It is better to go the east of Lagoon Pier and swim in that area.

On the foreshore is a lovely statue of a seaman with his duffle bag, waving good-bye to his loved ones. The statue was erected in honour of all naval men and women who answered the call of their country in war and peace.

To the east of Lagoon Pier the beach is quite narrow since the vegetated dunes occupy a large area and are fenced off. The beach is only wide for a 100m strip in front of the Port Melbourne Life Saving Club. At the club there are toilets, a row of beach showers, water tap and Caffe Di Lido where there are eight unshaded tables.

To the east of the Life Saving Club the beach narrows again to about 15m wide backed by fenced off dunes. There are regularly spaced tracks from Beaconsfield Parade to the beach through the dunes. When we visited there were a lot of clumps of sea-weed intertwined with shells washed up on the shore and in the shallows.

The beach continues on to South Melbourne beach to the east.

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