Elwood Beach

Elwood Beach sits on Port Phillip Bay at Elwood, in Melbourne's bayside inner south near St Kilda. A relaxed, family-friendly beach with soft sand and calm bay waters, it's a much-loved local spot — a lovely stretch of the bayside coast with a foreshore reserve, walking and cycling paths and the city skyline visible across the water.

The appeal is that combination of calm, gentle swimming water, a pretty foreshore and an easygoing, local-beach atmosphere, ideal for a swim, a stroll or cycle along the foreshore, or a relaxed day by the bay. The sheltered waters make it great for families, and with cafes and the charm of Elwood close by, it's a lovely spot for a relaxed bayside outing.

With a 4.5 rating from more than 900 reviews, it's a much-loved beach. It's free and open year-round, but swimming conditions, parking and facilities vary, and it gets busier on warm weekends and over summer, so it's worth checking conditions before you go — and taking sun protection and swimming safely — while enjoying the calm bay waters and relaxed charm of Elwood Beach.