People from all over the world, as well as interstate, come to visit the beautiful state of Victoria each year. Foreigners will come all year round while Australians from other parts of the country are drawn to Victoria’s coast more so in the summer months.

The Victorian coastline offers up some spectacular destinations, varying from dramatic cliff drops to idyllic sandy beaches. From Mallacoota, near the New South Wales border all the way to Discovery Bay, closer to South Australia, the coast is dotted with destinations that vacationers flock to when they get the chance.

These include well-known spots like Lakes Entrance (and everywhere along the Gippsland Coastal area), Wilsons Promontory, Venus Bay & Inverloch, Lorne, Apollo Bay & (anywhere along) the Great Ocean Road.

Victoria certainly offers up a place for every taste along its lengthy, varied and beautiful coastline. Most people looking for a spot to build their dream coastal vacation home would find an ideal place here.  

But for the sake of this article, we are going to focus on the coastal areas closer to Melbourne, the state’s cosmopolitan capital. These places are a relatively short commute and as such are mostly located along Port Phillip Bay

Close to town

You like the sea but equally like the city.

Maybe your idea of the perfect vacation is to enjoy the water by day and then take in a world class theatre show or visit a museum afterwards These places are alive year-round and are certainly not dependent on vacationers for their action

Southbank

You can’t get much closer to the bright lights of the big city than this. In fact, you are in the heart of it but with the extra bonus of being by the water. While not technically on the coast, it is on the banks of the Yarra River which spills out onto the bay, meaning you are only a short boat ride away. Southbank is lively, central, a hub of culture and entertainment, meaning that prices of luxury apartments here come at an eye watering cost. But hey, for the urbanites wanting the best of all worlds, its worth the price!

St Kilda

At only  six kilometres away from the central business district, St Kilda is a very popular and world famous beachside suburb of Melbourne. Bustling with restaurants, bars and shops, it is always a hive of activity. Luna Park, the boardwalk and the Esplanade are other attractions that brings in visitors from all walks of life.

Honourable mentions include Williamstown, Middle Park, Albert Park and Port Melbourne. All would also appeal to urbanites valuing proximity to the city.

Bayside Suburbs

As you head out of the city to the west, you’ll find Altona beach as an honourable mention in the suburban category for coastal vacation homes. On the eastern side, if you head south out of the city and drive along Beach Road, you come across a host of very desirable suburbs, each with their coastal outlooks. For those fortunate enough to live here, commuting to and from the city for work is easy, and everyday can feel like a vacation with the beach at your doorstep.

Elwood, Brighton, Black Rock, Mordialloc and Edithvale are worth mentioning.

Frankston

At the end of the trainline and 41 kilometres outside of the city you’ll find Frankston. It is here where the Melbourne suburbs unofficially end and soon the Mornington Peninsula begins. 

Frankston was once looked down upon by “sophisticated” Melburnians and its hidden gems were overlooked. But it has seen a boom in recent years as property prices in the capital rose to astronomically high spheres, forcing home buyers outward. The Frankston line connecting to Melbourne city was modernised over several years making Frankston even more attractive – also to those looking for more affordable vacation homes..

The Mornington Peninsula

Keep heading south after Frankston and you’re now out of the Bayside suburbs and into the Mornington Peninsula where the concentration of coastal vacation homes of Melbourne exists.

You can find some of the most beautiful but also some of the most expensive vacation homes / holiday homes in Victoria – some of them comparable to luxury villas and vacation rentals in Cape Coral, Florida, which is one of the most famous spots for vacation homes in the whole world.

As you make your way from Mt Eliza to Dromana you will experience some breath-taking views along the coast. Here sit many amazing houses, villas, and apartments – some of them bookable on platforms like Airbnb, booking.com or vrbo. In between you might still find some of the smaller beach cabins that were well affordable in past times, nowadays sold for a small fortune.

Sorrento

A ninety minute drive from the city of Melbourne will get you to Sorrento. Believed to be the first European settlement in Victoria, the township will charm you with its European flavour and historic ambiance. The beach, vistas and dining just add to it being an ideal place for a vacation home.

Portsea

At the very tip of the peninsula and right next to Sorrento is the very exclusive village of Portsea. Multi million dollar vacation homes, some of the most expensive in Australia, abound here. Home to the famous Portsea Pub and with easy access to both the bay and the back beaches, it is very desirable real estate indeed.

Cape Schanck

Situated on the ocean side of the peninsula, Cape Schanck has striking outlooks and many scenic walks. It has a famous lighthouse, national park and is the southernmost point of the peninsula. A visit to the rock pools is a must for any nature lover.

Flinders

Another historic village on the peninsula, Flinders will charm you with its selection of gourmet dining options and its tranquil vibes on the rugged coast.

Bellarine and Beyond

So far, we’ve focussed a lot on the eastern side of Melbourne. Over on the west are also a multitude of gems, especially as you go further out. But here are a couple that are still close enough for the sake of this article

Ocean Grove 

This gorgeous seaside town located in the Bellarine Peninsula is known for its excellent surf and laid back vibes. With wineries and golf courses at its doorstep it is hugely popular with vacationers

Torquay

Head west from the Bellarine Peninsula, 21 km away from Geelong and you’ll reach Torquay, gateway to the Great Ocean Road. It is also home to Bells Beach where the world surfing championships are hosted every year. Needless to say, it is popular with surfers. 

Phillip Island

Phillip Island

This region deserves its own category. And why not… it is after all an island. At 125 km from Melbourne, it’s far enough away to feel like its own world yet close enough to get to for day-trippers. It is famous for the Phillip Island Penguin Parade, a daily event that delights visitors from around the world. This is only at the beginning of the list of attractions that this island has to offer.

Conclusion

So there you have it. Top ten, of course completely subjective and as Melbourne and Victoria have so much to offer in terms of coastal locations, we can assure you that many more would deserve to be on the list, depending on who’s compiling it. What other coastal locations near Melbourne would you consider for a vacation home?