Discover Secret Victoria Beaches for Swimming, Snorkelling and More

From rugged coves to peaceful lagoons, Victoria is home to some of the most beautiful hidden beaches in Australia. You just need to know where to look. Whether you’re up for a long drive, a short hike, or a coastal walk with your dog, these 10 secret spots are all worth the journey from Melbourne. Here’s your guide to the best under-the-radar Victoria beaches.

1. Point King Beach – Portsea

🕒 Distance from Melbourne: 1 hour 45 minutes
💡 Best for: Swimming, snorkeling, peaceful sunbathing, coastal walks
🐾 Dog friendly: No

Tucked beneath Portsea’s Millionaire’s Walk, Point King Beach feels like a private cove. Clear, turquoise waters and calm conditions make it ideal for a relaxing swim or snorkel. Access is via a short walk and stairs from Point King Road. A historic British flag site adds a touch of history to your beach day.

2. Bushrangers Bay – Mornington Peninsula

🕒 Distance from Melbourne: 1 hour 40 minutes
💡 Best for: Photography, picnics, hiking, rock pools
🐾 Dog friendly: No

Accessible only by foot, this wild beach is perfect for nature lovers. The 30-minute hike from Cape Schanck is rewarded with striking cliffs, dramatic waves, and serene isolation. It’s not the safest for swimming, but the beauty alone is unforgettable.

3. Sunnymead Beach – Aireys Inlet

🕒 Distance from Melbourne: 1 hour 50 minutes
💡 Best for: Swimming, beginner surfing, exploring rock pools
🐾 Dog friendly: Yes (outside peak times)

A local favourite just off the Great Ocean Road, Sunnymead is surrounded by dramatic cliffs and rich red rock formations. Great for a dip, a beach walk, or letting your dog roam during off-peak times.

4. Half Moon Bay – Black Rock

🕒 Distance from Melbourne: 30 minutes
💡 Best for: Swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, sunsets
🐾 Dog friendly: Yes (with restrictions)

This crescent-shaped bay is ideal for snorkelers and swimmers looking for calm water. Paddle around the historic HMVS Cerberus shipwreck or relax on the sand with fish and chips from the kiosk. All just half an hour from Melbourne.

5. Kitty Miller Bay – Phillip Island

🕒 Distance from Melbourne: 2 hours
💡 Best for: Exploring shipwrecks, beachcombing, quiet picnics
🐾 Dog friendly: No

A calm horseshoe bay surrounded by volcanic rock and reef, Kitty Miller is home to the SS Speke shipwreck, visible at low tide. It’s a peaceful alternative to Phillip Island’s more popular beaches.

6. Waratah Bay – South Gippsland

🕒 Distance from Melbourne: 2 hours 30 minutes
💡 Best for: Long walks, sunbathing, windsurfing
🐾 Dog friendly: Yes (on leash outside peak times)

Waratah Bay offers endless stretches of sand backed by dunes and bush. It’s rarely crowded, perfect for off-the-grid beachgoers and dog owners. Calm waters suit swimmers and bodyboarders alike.

7. Fairy Cove – Wilsons Promontory

🕒 Distance from Melbourne: 3 hours 15 minutes
💡 Best for: Hiking, secluded swimming, photography
🐾 Dog friendly: No

Only accessible via a 2.5 km trail off the Tongue Point track, Fairy Cove is a true hidden treasure. Surrounded by granite boulders and lichen-covered rocks, it’s one of the most magical spots in the Prom.

8. Secret Beach – Mallacoota (East Gippsland)

🕒 Distance from Melbourne: 6.5 hours
💡 Best for: Solitude, snorkeling, sea caves
🐾 Dog friendly: Yes (on leash)

As the name suggests, this beach is well hidden and barely signposted. Accessed via a staircase off Betka Road, you’ll find white sand, rock pools, and even a small sea cave. Worth the detour if you’re exploring East Gippsland.

9. Pea Soup Beach – Port Fairy

🕒 Distance from Melbourne: 3.5 hours
💡 Best for: Family swims, snorkeling, relaxing
🐾 Dog friendly: Yes (on leash)

Shallow, reef-protected waters make Pea Soup Beach perfect for families. Named for its unique green hue on sunny days, this calm beach is ideal for paddling and snorkeling.

10. Bridgewater Bay – Cape Bridgewater

🕒 Distance from Melbourne: 4.5 hours
💡 Best for: Surfing, hiking, seal spotting
🐾 Dog friendly: Yes (on leash)

Located at the edge of an ancient volcanic crater, Bridgewater Bay combines surf, scenery and seclusion. With cliffs, sandy shores, and even a nearby seal colony, it’s a world-class escape.

If you’re looking for the perfect summer escape, Victoria beaches offer some of Australia’s most diverse and beautiful coastal experiences. From secret coves and family-friendly lagoons to snorkeling hotspots and wild surf, these Victoria beaches go beyond the ordinary. Whether you’re in search of quiet solitude, a scenic walk, or a safe swim, you’ll find it among these lesser-known gems. Just a short drive (or road trip) from Melbourne, these beaches reward those willing to explore. Discover Victoria beaches that locals love but tourists rarely find — because sometimes the best beach is the one that’s hardest to get to.