South Melbourne Beach (Albert Park)

South 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.

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

Access for Dogs:

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:

Port Melbourne beach merges into South Melbourne beach from the west close to the South Melbourne Life Saving Club. Attached to the building is seasonal Dollies Cafe facing Beaconsfield Parade which looks fairly basic.

At this point the dunes disappear and the beach is very wide and sandy (although quite a lot of broken shells in the sand) from here as it stretches away to the east.

100m east of the Life Saving Club is the lovely Plum Garland Memorial Playground which has a shaded table, water tap and three lovely curved wooden seats under shade.

From this point there are rows of volleyball courts, ten in total, set-up on the beach. The courts stretch almost to the Kerford Road pier. BYO ball. There are organisations providing beach volleyball coaching on the weekends. Be prepared to have some sand kicked in your face if you settle down here for a swim.

The South Melbourne beach ends at Kerford Road pier where the Albert Park Yachting & Angling Club is located. At this point there are toilets, water tap and Nshry cafe. The cafe focusses on Asian fusion food and exceptional coffee.

There is limited parking in the area of the beach and a tram might be the best option. The East Coburg - South Melbourne Beach (line #1) tram stops at the corner of Beaconsfield Parade and Victoria Avenue.

Map:

Photos: