A Guide to the Best Swimming Spots in and Around Melbourne

in partnership with

It's officially summer Melburnites, and the city is heating up. The best way to cool off? Running away to your local beaches and lakes for a cheeky dip. Now, you may already have a go-to swim spot, but together with Sheridan — the expert purveyor of luxe beach towels — we've rounded up six spots for you to get aquatic.

So, whether you're heading down with a bunch of mates or are going solo with a book and rolled-up beach towel in hand, why not check out this list to find something a bit different. Let's change things up as we elevate our summer game.

Catherine A Campbell (Unsplash)

MOTHERS BEACH, MORNINGTON PENINSULA

The Mornington Peninsula is brimming with great beaches, but Mothers Beach ticks all the boxes for those wanting a chill and easy swim spot where you can really relax. The shallow waters and gentle waves are made for lazily paddling about — you can even hire a kayak or paddle board on the shores to explore the area at your own pace. A decent sized car park, nearby toilets, water taps, outdoor showers and picnic tables all help make this a super accessible, easy beach to hang out at all day long. The verdict? You could take your mother to this stretch of sand and there shouldn't be any complaints.

Dave Kim (Unsplash)

BRIGHTON BEACH, BRIGHTON

This spot for a dip may be best known for its brightly coloured and highly coveted beach boxes, but there's a lot more going on here. First off, it's super easy to get to: jump on a train at Flinders Street Station and you'll be throwing your towel down within 25 minutes. In the height of summer, you'll also get breezy, sunshine-soaked vibes — there'll be crowds, but it's far from heaving. Brighton Beach is perfect for those looking to hang with mates, dipping in and out of the water, before eventually running away to local bars and restaurants to keep the fun going.

Ian Cochrane via Flickr

HALF MOON BAY, BLACK ROCK

This popular Melbourne beach is that perfect distance from the city — far enough out (and difficult enough to reach with public transport) that it won't be too busy. But only a 30-minute drive from Melbourne's CBD, it's also fairly easy to get to with a car. Park up top and take the leisurely walk down to the white sandy beach below. You'll find the necessary beach infrastructure here — loos, outdoor showers and a couple of spots to grab hot food. It's also great for snorkelling, with crystal clear water and stacks of friendly sea creatures lurking beneath the surface. Above water, there's the wreck of the HMVS Cerberus, built in the 1860s and scuttled in 1926.

Luisa Denu (Unsplash)

THE PILLARS, MOUNT MARTHA

You could easily forget you're only a 45-minute drive out of Melbourne when you're swimming off The Pillars in Mount Martha — it feels more like a tropical paradise or hidden cove in The Med. But, prepare to work for your day of splashing. This isn't a beach, it's a rock formation that juts out into the sea. So, you'll need to scale the rocks to get in and out of the water — or join all the young guns who come here for cliff jumping. It's a great off-the-beaten-path swimming spot, which means going without the usual beach amenities. Come with everything you need for the day — sunscreen, towel, snacks and a bottle of water.

Jacob Dyer (Unsplash)

LAKE DAYLESFORD, DAYLESFORD

Most people go to Daylesford for the luxury spas, leisurely hikes and mushroom foraging — but Lake Daylesford is also a perfect spot for wild swimming. Jump off the jetty and float about with some mates before hitting the barbecue area or local waterside restaurants. And, if some of you don't want to get wet, you can hire paddleboats or stroll around the circumference of the tree-lined lake. Be aware that this spot is a bit of a trek — nearly two hours by car out of the city, but well worth it for a proper day of countryside swimming.

Arnaud Mesureur (Unsplash)

JAN JUC BEACH, JAN JUC

Located at the start of the Great Ocean Road, Jan Juc Beach is a hugely popular spot for surfers. Expect big waves and boards cutting wide arching shapes, so if you're not a strong swimmer, stay within the flags during summer for some safe water fun. This dramatic part of the coast is made up of a long stretch of golden sand sitting below rocky cliffs. And at low tide, there are rock pools aplenty — walk towards Torquay's Surf Beach to find massive ones to take a dip in.

Once you find your new favourite swim spot, elevate your summer game even further with a Sheridan beach towel. To make your pick, head to the website.

Top image: Brighton Beach by Titus Aparici (Unsplash)