A beach day in Melbourne with kids
This is a beach day on Melbourne's Port Phillip Bay side. Williamstown Beach is 8.6 km from the centre, and Port Melbourne Beach, South Melbourne Beach, Maritime Cove Community Park Playground and the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC) are 3.3 to 5.3 km out. They are not on one route, so treat this as a menu and pick two or three. The beaches and playground are free.
Patrols here are mostly seasonal. Port Melbourne Beach's 2026-27 patrols start on Saturday 14 November 2026, and South Melbourne Beach is patrolled from 15 November, both on weekends and public holidays. If you visit outside patrol times, use the wave pool at MSAC instead. Pack hats, swimmers and towels.
Every stop is a listing on Funtivities, checked against the place's own website. Last reviewed 24 October 2026. Prices and hours can change, so check the listing before you go.
The day at a glance
- Morning: Williamstown Beach
- Late morning: Maritime Cove Community Park Playground
- Lunch: Port Melbourne Beach
- Afternoon: South Melbourne Beach
- Late afternoon: Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC)
Morning
Start at Williamstown Beach
Williamstown Beach, Williamstown · Beaches & Rock Pools · Ages 0-17 · Free · 4.6 stars (997 reviews)
A clean, wide sandy Port Phillip Bay beach on the Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail, with lifeguards on patrol in the summer months. The council lists toilets, showers, dining places and metered street parking along the Esplanade. Williamstown Beach Station is within a 10-minute walk.
Lifeguard patrol: Summer months.
Tip: Patrolled in the summer months; check the council page for hours.
Late morning
Maritime Cove Playground
Maritime Cove Community Park Playground, Port Melbourne · Playgrounds & Parks · Ages 1-14 · Free · 4.5 stars (802 reviews)
A maritime-themed playground with water and sand play at Perce White Reserve in Port Melbourne, overlooking Sandridge Beach. It is free and suits ages 1 to 14. It is 5.3 km from the centre, so it works as a play stop before the swim.
Tip: Free; the listing gives it for ages 1 to 14.
Prices, hours and map for Maritime Cove Community Park Playground
Lunch
Port Melbourne Beach
Port Melbourne Beach, Port Melbourne · Beaches & Rock Pools · Ages 0-17 · Free
Wide sand and grass areas with palm trees, close to the CBD and public transport, 4.1 km from the centre. Home to the Port Melbourne Yacht and Life Saving Clubs, with a swimming-only zone in front of the life saving club. Accessible equipment is available during summer.
Lifeguard patrol: From 12:00pm, 14 Nov 2026 – April 2027.
Tip: Patrols run every Saturday, Sunday and public holiday from 14 November 2026 to April 2027, from 12pm.
Afternoon
South Melbourne Beach
South Melbourne Beach, Albert Park · Beaches & Rock Pools · Ages 0-17 · Free
Beside the Kerferd Road Pier, 4.0 km from the centre, with a swimming-only zone between Lagoon Pier and Kerferd Road. The council lists the Plum Garland Memorial Playground and beach volleyball nearby. Volunteer lifesavers patrol on weekends and public holidays.
Lifeguard patrol: 12:00pm – 5:00pm, 15 November to ANZAC Day.
Tip: Patrolled 15 November to ANZAC Day on weekends and public holidays, usually 12pm to 5pm (6pm in January and February).
Late afternoon
Wave pool at MSAC
Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC), Albert Park · Swimming & Aquatics · Ages 3-18 · From $0 · 4.3 stars (2939 reviews)
The state aquatic centre in Albert Park, 3.3 km from the centre, with a wave pool, a toddler pool and a swim school. A child swim is $5.80, and under-4s are free. It is the wet-weather or out-of-season backup for a beach day.
Tip: Open 5:30am to 10pm weekdays, and 7am to 8pm on weekends.
Prices, hours and map for Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC)
Before you go
- Port Melbourne Beach patrols start on Saturday 14 November 2026 and run weekends and public holidays to April 2027.
- South Melbourne Beach is patrolled on weekends and public holidays from 15 November to ANZAC Day.
- Williamstown Beach has lifeguards in the summer months; check the council page for hours.
- Swim only where lifeguards are on duty, and between the flags.
- MSAC is open daily, so the plan works any day if you use the pool.
Questions parents ask
Where can you take kids to the beach near Melbourne?
This plan uses Williamstown Beach, Port Melbourne Beach and South Melbourne Beach, all on Port Phillip Bay. Port Melbourne and South Melbourne are 4.1 and 4.0 km from the centre, and Williamstown is 8.6 km. Maritime Cove Community Park Playground is a free play stop near Sandridge Beach.
When are the Melbourne beaches patrolled?
Port Melbourne Beach patrols start on Saturday 14 November 2026 and run every Saturday, Sunday and public holiday until April 2027, from 12pm. South Melbourne Beach is patrolled on weekends and public holidays from 15 November to ANZAC Day. Williamstown has lifeguards in summer.
Is there somewhere to swim in Melbourne if the beach is closed or unpatrolled?
The Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC) in Albert Park has a wave pool and a toddler pool, and it is open daily. A child swim is $5.80, and children aged 0 to 3 are free. Check the listing for current times, since sessions can change.
More days in Melbourne with kids
- Your first day in Melbourne with kids - The places to start with when you have one day and want the best of the city.
- A rainy day in Melbourne with kids - Indoor stops close together, so a wet day still works.
- A free day out in Melbourne with kids - A full day where every stop has free entry.
- Melbourne with toddlers and under-5s - Short distances, space to run and places built for under-5s.
- Melbourne with teenagers - Things teenagers choose for themselves, not just tolerate.
- Visiting Melbourne with kids: all guides