Where To Find Victoria's Secret Beaches

Any Victorian worth their coffee beans knows you’d be silly to go north during summer… not with that stunning local coastline to explore.

Here is our list of 10 of the best secret beaches in Victoria:

1. Point King Beach – Portsea

It’s certainly not obvious that there is a pretty sandy beach tucked below Portsea’s mansions. But if you walk to the end of Point King Road, you’ll find a hidden path leading to wooden stairs down to Point King Beach. Before joining the rich and famous on the sand, though, check out the monument commemorating the first hoisting of the Union Jack in 1802 as Britain took possession of the area (now Port Phillip Bay). Then take a peek at the homes and gardens on the cliff-top Millionaires Walk.

2. Betka, Quarry and Secret Beaches – Mallacoota

This plucky little beach community in Eastern Gippsland, surrounded by water and national park, has a trio of gorgeous beaches just outside of town that most tourists don’t know about. Betka Beach, located where the river meets the ocean, is perfect for kids to paddle in the shallow river and play on the lawns while dad barbecues. Quarry Beach has colourful rock strata, while Secret Beach, accessible via a staircase on Betka Road, has clean white sand, rockpools and a small sea cave.

3. Sealers Cove, Refuge Cove and Little Waterloo Bay – Wilson’s Promontory

Refuge Cove from above, Wilson Promontory National Park

If you are a hiker (or boater) you can find pristine, uncrowded beaches on the eastern side of the Prom. Mountains plunge into the sea at Sealers Cove, while tiny Refuge Cove offers a terrific, safe little harbour for boats. At Little Waterloo Bay you’ll discover a landscape akin to Tassie’s Bay of Fires: granite boulders covered with orange lichen, which the heavy surf from Bass Strait pulverises into a fine white sand. You’ll need to camp to enjoy the beaches; each has camping facilities.

4. Waratah Bay

Sunrise over Wilsons Promontory, Victoria, Australia as seen from Waratah Bay.

Stretching from Sandy Point to Walkerville, Waratah Bay is a stunning sweep of white sandy beach with panoramic views across to Wilson’s Promontory. You can walk for miles here without seeing another soul – even in summer. Better still, with its flat sandy bottom, the surf is generally very safe. Up the Sandy Point end, you’ll find Shallow Inlet, which is not only an amazing bird habitat but also a popular windsurfing and kite surfing site. In fact a speed sailing record was set here in 1993. (There are lifeguards during summer at Sandy Point.)

5. Half Moon Bay – Black Rock

‘Sunset over Port Philip Bay, Melbourne, Australia. View from Half Moon Bay, near Black Rock.’

From the bike path at the top of the cliffs, you can look down at the pretty little Half Moon Bay nestled into a cove in Port Phillip Bay. The beach itself is a perfect spot for sunbathing, while the bay gets deep quite quickly making it a good spot for swimming laps. In the bay is National Heritage-listed HMVS Cerberus, which was scuttled here to make a breakwater. Finish the day with Mediterranean-inspired fare from Cerberus Beach House restaurant, a perfect spot to watch the sunset. (There are lifeguards during summer.)

6. Point Addis

The Point Addis Marine National Park is a protected marine national park located near Anglesea on the Surf Coast region of Victoria, Australia.

Just around from Bells Beach’s famous point breaks is Point Addis, a sandy crescent rimmed by a dramatic sweep of ochre sandstone and limestone cliffs. The lookout next to the road offers panoramic views, before you walk through a section of national park down to the beach. If it’s low tide, walk along the rockpool ledges to Southside and Bells Beach, or just stroll up the northern end to the stretch of ‘clothing optional’ sand, if that’s your thing. There’s also an Aboriginal interpretive trail, the Koori Cultural Walk, with incredible views from the cliffs.

7. Aireys Inlet

Split Point Lighthouse on a warm summer’s day in Aireys Inlet, Victoria, Australia.

Want to escape the crowds at Lorne? Hidden below the red-roofed White Queen Lighthouse in Aireys Inlet is your answer: a collection of picturesque pocket beaches and rockpools beneath rugged red limestone cliffs. You can access them via the Cliff Top Walk, which has terrific ocean views. The locals have quirky names for these beaches, such as Sunnymeade, Smelly, Steppe and Sandy Gully. Turquoise pools offer hours of beachcombing, whilst at one headland you’ll find ‘the grotto’ – a pretty limestone arch, home to local nesting starlings.

8. Aire River

In the heart of the Great Otway National Park, where the Aire River enters the Southern Ocean, lies Aire River beach. Here you can enjoy fine fishing, kayaking on the river, bird watching, and see koalas, kangaroos and wallabies in the coastal scrub. Since it’s smack bang on the Great Ocean Walk, you can hike along the coastal trail for spectacular views in either direction. Ambitious souls can also tackle the 12.4 kilometres to wild and beautiful Johanna Beach. There’s free camping, with composting toilets but no running water.

9. Bridgewater Bay – Portland

Rock formations at Cape Bridgewater, Australia.

This four-kilometre crescent of fine white sand rims the aqua waters of Bridgewater Bay and is a great spot for beachcombing and all types of surfing: surfboarding, surf casting and windsurfing. The 130-metre cliffs of Cape Bridgewater (the rim of an ancient submerged volcanic crater) shelter the beach from the Roaring 40s while a good swell generally lines up to form long, gentle waves. Walk the Cape Bridgewater trail to see Australia’s largest permanent fur seal colony, a petrified forest and blowholes. (There are lifeguards in summer.)

10. Pea Soup Beach, Port Fairy

Bearch called Pea Soup Beach near Port Fairy Victoria Australia.

The charmingly-named Pea Soup Beach is a wide and pretty beach fronting the Southern Ocean, west of the historic seaside fishing village of Port Fairy. If you walk west along the coastline from the town you’ll discover this surprising 500-metre-long white sandy beach protected by a continuous basalt reef lying offshore. Many a local kid has learned to swim here in the shallow, sheltered lagoon and rockpools – it’s also a great spot for some beachcombing.

Need to know: Because these beaches are well-kept secrets, most aren’t patrolled by lifeguards. For more info and a full list of Victoria’s lifeguard-friendly beaches, head to beachsafe.org.au

The Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges boast some of Victoria’s most stunning natural scenery, making them a prime destination for outdoor experiences.

There’s something very special about the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges . A mix of rugged bush, mist-laden rainforest, gardens bursting with vivid blooms and a network of rivers and waterfalls, the landscapes here are layered and diverse. Late summer is a particularly good time to visit, when the days are long and the region’s outdoor offerings are ripe for sun-soaked adventures.

The best part? Despite being only an easy one-hour drive from Melbourne, the area feels a world away from the hustle. You’ll be greeted by a slower pace with fewer travellers and more room to move – allowing you to truly switch off and take it all in.

From rail trails to rainforest walks, this is where you’ll find nature at its most rewarding.

1. Warburton

Biking around Warburton is one best natural experiences in the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges. — Hit the trails at Warburton Mountain Bike Destination. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Perched at the top of the Yarra River, surrounded by pristine national park, the town of Warburton is a haven for nature lovers. It’s known for its towering redwoods, found in the Californian Redwood Forest just 15 minutes out of town. You’ll be in utter awe of these giant trees, some of which reach heights of up to 55 metres.

The Warburton Rail Trail is another way to experience the town’s natural beauty. This flat, 40-kilometre route goes all the way to Lilydale and is ideal for a stroll or cycle past native bushland, wineries, farmland and parts of the Yarra.

If you want to up the pace a little, head to the Warburton Mountain Bike Destination , which encompasses 160 kilometres of purpose-built tracks amid wild bush terrain. For something a little more laid-back, the Rainforest Gallery is a standout spot for a wander. The gallery features statuesque Mountain Ash and Myrtle Beech trees, moss-covered logs and tree ferns, and a 40-metre elevated walkway that brings you right into the centre of the forest canopy.

2. Yarra Glen

Yarra Glen is a beloved food and drink destination, but it offers far more than excellent produce and top-notch wines.

A highlight is Alowyn Gardens , which stretches over seven acres. Inside, you’ll find nine different gardens with vivid floral and seasonal displays, plus a nursery featuring exotic plant species. The Wisteria Arbour is a crowd favourite, a curved walkway connecting the different gardens with a display of cascading lilac blooms.

Intersecting with the Warburton Rail Trail, the first stage of the Yarra Valley Trail runs from the gateway town of Lilydale to Yering Station. A more manageable track of just 7.5 kilometres, it takes you through rolling farmland and pockets of native bush, with ample opportunities for wildlife-spotting.

If you’re travelling with kids, McKenzie Reserve is a non-negotiable stop. The reserve encompasses a skate park, plenty of open grass to stretch little legs, and a nature-inspired adventure playground to suit every age and every energy level.

3. Healesville

One of the best natural experiences in the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges is seeing a Koala upclose. — Get up close and connect with koalas. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Healesville is the region’s best place to meet local wildlife. It’s home to Healesville Sanctuary , where you can get up close to kangaroos, koalas, emus, dingoes, reptiles and more. Beyond giving you front-row access to these gorgeous creatures, you’ll appreciate the scenic charm of the tracks and trails that meander through the wildlife park.

To see even more birdlife, head over to Badger Weir for a picnic. Situated among soaring Mountain Ash trees and tranquil waterways, the area supports several bird species, including crimson rosellas, Australian king parrots and the elusive lyrebird. Barbecue facilities are available, and several tracks leading to Badger Weir are pram-friendly.

Fernshaw Picnic Area, located in the Yarra Ranges National Park , is another idyllic setting for picnicking and short walks, also encircled by Mountain Ash trees. Compared to Badger Weir, though, Fernshaw provides a slightly more secluded experience, making it ideal for quieter outings.

4. Olinda

Cloudehill Gardens is a beautifully curated, year-round garden destination featuring nine terraced gardens filled with seasonal blooms and lush plant varieties. — Wander through terraces of ever-changing blooms. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Sitting more than 600 metres above sea level, the Dandenong Ranges have an enchanted feel and are shrouded in lush rainforest filled with tree ferns, mossy trunks and lingering mist.

The town of Olinda is one of the finest places to experience this unique environment in all its verdant glory. At the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Gardens , rhododendrons reign and drape the gardens in a riot of colour every spring.

The nearby Cloudehill Gardens are well worth visiting any time of year. In each of the garden’s nine terraces, you’ll find an array of plant varieties that bloom and transform across the seasons, including weeping Japanese maples that have been growing here for nearly a century.

Besides being a haven for arbory enthusiasts, the nearby RJ Hamer Arboretum is a spectacular spot to enjoy panoramic views. Here, more than 150 tree species grow and overlook the neighbouring Yarra Valley and Great Dividing Range.

5. Emerald

A lady eating with the view of Emerald Lake Park. — Enjoy a lakeside picnic at Emerald Lake Park. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Set just behind the Dandenong Ranges , the foothills town of Emerald has a slightly more open feel, featuring rolling hills and open bushland. The town sits on the edge of the Dandenong Ranges National Park , with a patchwork of forested reserves and accessible bush trails on the Emerald side.

You can also take to the water at nearby Aura Vale Lake, which is popular for sailing, canoeing, fishing for eel and perch, and picnicking on the grassy banks.

The stand-out, though, is Emerald Lake Park, a sprawling green with multiple recreation zones. Across 52 hectares, there are walking tracks, playgrounds, paddleboats, a model railway, fishing sites and a family-friendly wading pool that comes to life every summer. The park also lies adjacent to the iconic Puffing Billy, making it a perfect stop if you’re travelling on the historic steam train.

Start planning your next adventure at visityarravalley.com.au

10 of the best secret beaches in Victoria