Overview
If you've already meandered through Melbourne's alleyways and sipped your way through the big city wine bars, it's about time you discovered something more outside the busy heart of the big smoke.
Only 15 kilometres from Melbourne's CBD, Kingston combines expansive greenery and beaches with a vibrant coastal community. Here, you can go from one of eight pristine beaches to cycling through local parks and woodlands, learning to fly at the local airport, creating your own artwork, seeking out the local gems of transformed industrial precincts or unwinding in a sauna that overlooks the ocean.
Together with Kingston, we've come up with a well-rounded itinerary for a beaut of an R&R itinerary, just in time for the flurry of the festive season.
The Great Outdoors
Take advantage of the sunshine and trade the hustle of the city for some fresh air at one of Kingston's natural sights.
Spread across 15 hectares, Karkarook Park is home to a sprawling lake, scenic picnic areas and a series of walking and cycling trails. The former sand mine-turned-lake is an ideal place to while away the day with the whole family (including any fur babies) — try your hand at catching a Rainbow Trout or Murray Cod from the jetty, go for a leisurely float on a canoe or kayak, spotting native plants and wildlife in the surrounding bushland, and close out the day with sunset views.
If you're still keen on green, head to Braeside Park for a full day of family fun. From trails through woodlands and wetlands to an adventure playground and free electric barbies, the massive park is chock-full of activities for all ages. You can also get a feel for the local community there, whether you're wandering through the community garden, admiring tree carvings of local celebs and murals of the area's cultural history, or participating in community activities like plant propagation or bird-watching.
For more of a splash, cruise the coast from Mentone Beach to Carrum Beach. The 13-kilometre stretch spans eight beaches, including Mentone, Parkdale, Mordialloc, Aspendale, Edithvale, Chelsea, Bonbeach and Carrum, so there's plenty of options to cool off with a dip if you're exploring by bike or on foot.
Local Experiences
Get to know the area like a local by getting stuck into Kingston's community and cultural scene.
An airport might not seem like a typical stop on your day trip itinerary, but there's more than meets the eye at Moorabbin Airport. Jump on a scenic flight for a sky-high tour above Melbourne's skyline, or crank the thrills up a notch with an aerobatic flight across the region — think barrel rolls, loops, tail slides and even air racing. Once you're back on land, you can visit the Moorabbin Air Museum, which dates back to 1962, or try your hand at flying with a real-life flight training course.
Prefer to keep your feet on solid ground? Head to the Kingston Arts Centre for a dose of creativity, from art exhibits to film screenings to weekly workshops like spoon carving, mosaic tiling and macrame weaving. Whether you're a spectator or a participant, you'll be inspired by Kingston's artistic talent and craftsmanship.
From farmers markets rich with local produce to antique markets dealing in hard-to-find vintage goods, Kingston loves a market.If you're lucky enough to be in town on the second Sunday of the month, check out Bonbeach Farmers Market at Bonbeach Primary School. From 8.30am–12.30pm, you can fill up on fresh produce, bread, honey, desserts and drinks from over 60 stalls to enjoy there or bring home as souvenirs. Show your support for the primary school by snagging a bacon and egg roll or visiting the Green Thumbs Stall, featuring garden fertiliser made by the school's worm farm.
Wellness and Relaxation
It wouldn't be a proper getaway without some time for self-care. Recharge your body before you return to your bustling routine with a sauna session, cold dip or exercise class.
Situated in Mordialloc Sailing Club with views across the water, SeaSoul Sauna is an idyllic thermowood barrel sauna that seats up to six people. Guests have the option to share a 90-minute session with members of the public or book it out for complete privacy and are encouraged to cool off with swim breaks in the sea. Each session will be led by a sauna guide, with light refreshments and towels provided. For a more bespoke experience, join along for Silent Tuesdays, Men's Mondays or Women's Wednesdays, which include aromatherapy, breath work, towel waving and ocean dips.
Julieanne Perara
Also part of the SeaSoul Sauna community are the Mordi Sea Dippers — a group that meets weekly to connect with old and new faces while championing mental and physical wellness. Drop in at Mordialloc Pier on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 6.45am for a meditation and ocean dip, and keep an eye on their Instagram page for additional events.
Level up your health at Wild Soul Wellness, which combines pilates and yoga classes with wellness treatments. The studio offers reformer and mat pilates, as well as hot pilates and yoga in an infrared-heated space. Follow this up with an on-site infrared sauna, hot and cold plunges, red-light and pulsed electromagnetic field therapy, Normatec compression boots, or even a naturopath consultation.
There's so much more than just nature and serenity in Kingston. Whether you're looking for the perfect beach to chill on, a big feed at a local hidden gem or a good old fashioned figure it-out adventure, you'll find it in Kingston.
Find out more and start planning your Kingston adventure at This is Kingston's Instagram or website.
Images courtesy of This is Kingston