Best Family Beaches in South East Melbourne

Kid-Friendly Beaches in South East Melbourne

First, let’s take a look at some beloved local favourites that are great for families. We’ve also provided details about public amenities such as BBQ facilities and toilets, plus recommendations for nearby cafes. Many of these beaches also have play equipment to help keep the little ones entertained. 

Olivers Hill Beach, Frankston

Address

531 Nepean Hwy, Frankston

Features

• Paid parking
• Walking trails
• BBQ facilities*
• Play equipment*
• Shaded picnic tables*
• Public toilet with change facility*

*These features can be found inside Frankston Regional Playground.

Located at the southern end of Frankston Beach, Olivers Hill Beach is a great place to take toddlers and older children. The water is generally clear and calm, and you can go for a scenic stroll on the wide walkway that stretches along Frankston Waterfront Reserve.

Nearby, there’s a big playground that’s fondly referred to as “Castle Park”. Perfect for all ages, this expansive play area features tunnels, shaded sand pits, a Liberty Swing (suitable for children with disabilities), climbing bars, a flying fox, and forts. There are also lots of nice grassy spots for picnics, and public barbecues.

This popular beach for kids can get busy on weekends and public holidays, so we recommend arriving early to find a good parking spot. And if you start feeling peckish, Oliver’s Corner restaurant serves up yummy breakfast items, plus pizza and burgers for lunch. 

 

Dendy Street Beach, Brighton

Address

The Bay Trail, Brighton

Features

• Heritage-listed bathing boxes
• Paid parking (at Middle Brighton Beach and The Baths at Middle Brighton)

This is one of the most famous beaches in South East Melbourne, thanks to the 82 colourful bathing boxes that line the shore. Built over 100 years ago, these historic structures feature Victorian architecture decorated with eye-catching designs. They provide the perfect backdrop for family snapshots, plus you can catch some shade on their wooden decks. 

The bathing boxes are privately owned, so you can’t use them to get changed (as was their purpose during the modest Victorian era). However, you can still have a fun time taking photos and admiring the visual spectacle of the many huts snaking along the foreshore. 

While you’re there, it’s worth visiting The Baths Middle Brighton – a gorgeous art deco building with a cafe, bar, beach kiosk, and restaurant. Here, you can grab some fish and chips to enjoy on the beach as the sun sets, or sit down to share a delicious meal with the fam. 

 

Beaumaris Beach, Beaumaris

Address

Beach Road, Beaumaris

Features

• Paid parking at Ricketts Point Tea House or Beaumaris Life Saving Club
• Public toilet
• Beach showers
• Picnic tables

Rock reefs are the highlight of Beaumaris Beach, which are fascinating for kids to explore at low tide. These little rock pools are thriving with marine life – just be careful to wear appropriate footwear during your visit because the reefs can be uneven and spiky.  

High tide is best for swimming, but you’ll need to be mindful of the reef areas. Stick to the patrolled area that’s just to the east of the Beaumaris Life Saving Club. The shallow sand bar that’s just off the beach is perfect for having a paddle when the weather’s warm.

There’s also a large picnic area, and there are scenic walking paths along the Bay Trail. And if you’re feeling peckish, Rickett’s Point Beaumaris serves breakfast and lunch most days – plus they have high chairs and a kids menu. Their cakes are particularly delicious!

 

Beaches with Playgrounds in South East Melbourne 

In this section we’ll explore family friendly beaches in South East Melbourne that have great playgrounds. Your kids will enjoy getting their energy out while making new friends as you recharge your senses with the scenic views and fresh coastal air. 

 

Carrum Beach, Carrum

Address

Old Post Office Ln, Carrum

Features

• Picnic tables
• Public toilets
• Drinking fountain
• Deck chairs
• BBQ facilities
• Paid parking 

Regarded as one of the best beaches in South East Melbourne, Carrum Beach is usually calm and great for swimming. It’s a particularly good spot for families thanks to the Carrum Foreshore Playground, which has a distinctive nautical theme.

Your kids are certain to love the imaginative aspects of this play area, which includes a rocking boat, a lighthouse with a telescope, swings, a slide, and a big sand pit. The colourful rainbow umbrellas provide shelter on sunny days, and there are also deck chairs and BBQ facilities for the grown ups. 

We recommend taking a stroll along the new Carrum Boardwalk, which connects the foreshore to Patterson River. In terms of finding something to eat, Beach Bar has a vibey atmosphere, plus they sell house-made cookies that kids can paint themselves with food colouring. 

 

Mordialloc Beach, Mordialloc

Address

Peter Scullin Reservation, Beach Rd, Mordialloc

Features

• Public toilets
• Picnic tables
• BBQ facilities
• Paid parking 
• Accessible showers

If you’re in South East Melbourne and you search for kid friendly beaches near me, Mordialloc Beach is a local favourite. Close to the beach is the Peter Scullin Reserve Playground, which caters to all ages and abilities. The play equipment here is really quite special, with a tall lighthouse with a tunnel slide, climbing walls, a fireman’s pole, monkey bars, and interactive games. 

The playground has shade sails to provide sun protection on hot days, and there’s an area with soft flooring that’s perfect for toddlers and babies. If you’re coming to Mordialloc Beach with older kids, bring your bikes – the beachside paths are suitable for riding and scootering. 

Community events are regularly held in the reserve, including the Mordialloc Summer Carnival. There’s also an excellent Italian restaurant called Rococo Mordialloc that’s open most days for lunch and dinner. 

 

Best Beaches Near Cafés or Eateries in Melbourne

Melbourne has heaps of great places to grab a snack. In this section, we’ll take a look at some popular family beaches that are close to must-try cafes and restaurants. 

Half Moon Bay Beach, Black Rock

Address

16 Cerberus Way, 212 Half Moon Bay, Black Rock

Features

• Public toilets
• Paid parking

Shaped like a crescent moon, Half Moon Bay Beach has shallow water that’s calm and very child friendly. The surrounding Red Bluff cliffs help to provide a buffer from the wind, and the bright beach huts are exciting to explore. A popular spot with locals, Half Moon Bay is particularly charming at sunset. 

When you’re done sunbathing and making sandcastles, Cerberus Beach House is a delightful eatery with a restaurant upstairs and kiosk downstairs. The kiosk is famous for its fish and chips, fried to golden, flaky perfection. Upstairs you can enjoy tranquil ocean views and mouth-watering dishes cooked with locally-sourced seafood. The restaurant also has a menu for kids, featuring classics like macaroni and cheese and spaghetti bolognese. 

 

Sandringham Beach, Sandringham

Address

Beach Road, Sandringham

Features

• Paid parking
• BBQ facilities
• Picnic area
• Pet-feeding station

The northern end of Sandringham beach is the easiest to access, plus it’s close to a number of great eateries on Beach Road. During the day, the ocean is patrolled by the Sandringham Surf Lifesaving club, which makes this beach a safe choice for families. The water is generally also quite calm. 

To work up an appetite, there are walking and cycling paths that offer beautiful views. And if you want to take your dog out for an adventure, Sandringham Beach also has areas where dogs are allowed during various times of the year. 

There are heaps of great places to eat in Sandringham, but our top pick is the Sandringham Hotel. It has a cosy atmosphere that’s very family friendly, plus there’s a kids menu. With attentive service and top-notch steaks, this pub is a local gem. 

 

Hidden Local Beaches Worth Discovering

The family beaches in this section are worth exploring if you’re planning a fun day out with your kids, but you want an alternative to the busier beaches like Brighton or Carrum. They’re perfect for getting some time in the sun, but without the crowds. 

 

Edithvale Beach, Edithvale

Address

The Esplanade, Edithvale

Features

• Public toilets
• Accessible shower
• Picnic tables
• Street parking

The soft white sand at Edithvale Beach makes this location a pleasure to walk around and enjoy a paddle. This beach also has colourful bathing boxes which look particularly vibrant at sunset. If you’re hoping for a swim, stick to the shallow sections that are patrolled by the Edithvale Surf Life Saving Club. 

Near the club is Beeson Reserve, which is a lovely spot for a picnic lunch. There are tables and seats, plus shaded grassy areas where you can unfurl a blanket and gaze up at the clouds. 

For local families, the Nippers program run by the Surf Lifesaving Club teaches kids aged 7+ about water safety, helping to reinforce the skills they’ve gained from swimming lessons. It’s also great for building teamwork skills and making new friends.

 

Chelsea Beach, Chelsea

Address

The Strand, Chelsea

Features

• Public toilets
• Picnic tables
• BBQ facilities
• Paid parking
• Beach showers

This picturesque, gentle beach is perfect for lazy summer days with the fam. It has beach huts and sand dunes to explore, plus it’s within walking distance of the many great shops and cafes in Chelsea. 

Behind the beach, Victory Park Reserve has a playground that’s particularly suitable for toddlers, since most of the equipment is low to the ground. There’s a lighthouse that kids can climb, plus there are slides, forts, poles, bridges, and sandpits. And while the kids are enjoying the playground, you can cook up a barbecue lunch and then settle in to relax on the deck chairs. 

 

Discover All-Inclusive Early Learning in Melbourne

Only About Children provides holistic early learning programs in environments that are safe, nurturing, and engaging. OAC’s South East Melbourne Campuses include:

• Armadale
• Berwick
• Brighton East
• Elsternwick
• Hampton
• Highett
• Cheltenham

Contact us to learn more about what we offer, and discuss care options for your children. You can also visit News & Views for parenting tips and local guides.