Summer school holidays in Melbourne brings sunny days, warm water and plenty of reasons to head outdoors for beach adventures, sandcastle building, tide watching and water play. Here’s a family‑friendly guide to safe swimming spots, coastal fun, and water activities your kids will love this January school holidays.
🏖️ 1. Classic Bayside Beaches for Safe Swimming
Melbourne has a ring of Port Phillip Bay beaches with sandy shores and generally gentle waters — ideal for young children to splash and play:
- Brighton Beach – A classic favourite with shallow water, colourful bathing boxes and a long sandy shoreline. It’s generally calm closer to shore and great for kids to paddle or build sandcastles. It’s also patrolled in summer.
- Altona Beach – A wide, sandy beach with a long shallow shelf that’s ideal for young swimmers. Often less crowded than some of the inner‑city beaches, it’s patrolled during the summer season and has space for picnics and play.
- Sandringham Beach – A quieter bay beach with gentle waters that are usually calmer and safer for kids. It’s also accessible by train, making it an easy daytrip from the city for families without a car.
- Williamstown Beach – Close to the city and easily reached by train, Williamstown Beach is a convenient family‑friendly option with calm bay water for safe paddling and a long foreshore to explore.
- Mornington Peninsula Bayside Beaches (Mothers Beach, Mills Beach, Rye Beach, Rosebud) – These beaches around the Mornington Peninsula tend to have shallow, calm water, perfect for kids and paddle play. Mothers Beach in Mornington is especially loved for its soft sand and tranquil conditions, and nearby foreshore facilities make it very family‑friendly.
Tips for safe swimming:
• Head to patrolled beaches where lifeguards are on duty in summer.
• Always supervise children near water and check weather conditions on BOM (The Bureau of Meteorology) ahead of time.
🐚 2. Rock Pools & Tide Exploration
Kids love discovering little rock and tide pools full of crabs, shells and sea critters — especially close to low tide. A few spots near Melbourne worth checking out on calm summer days include:
- Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary – This protected marine sanctuary offers children a rare chance to explore rock pools, discover sea creatures, and learn about ocean ecosystems — all just a short drive from the city.
- Rye Ocean Beach – shallow sheltered waters great for exploring small rock pools and sand flats when the tide is out.
- Sorrento Ocean Beach and nearby Bridgewater Bay – known for interesting rock formations and little pools to peer into.
- Jawbone Marine Sanctuary, Williamstown – is a fantastic place for a summer outing. At low tide, the rocky shore is excellent for safe rockpooling with kids. Look for colourful algae, tiny fish and crustaceans hidden in crevices, perfect for gentle, supervised discovery. All within easy reach of the city.
Tide pool tips:
• Check tide times via Willy Weather before you head out as low tide is best for exploring.
• Wear closed shoes with a good grip to protect feet from sharp rocks and slipping.
🚣♂️ 3. Kayaking & Paddling
For families with slightly older kids who enjoy gentle water adventures, try out kayaking or paddling on calmer waters like Port Phillip Bay or lakes near Melbourne:
- Albert Park Lake – right in the heart of Melbourne, is a safe and accessible spot for family paddling. Its calm waters, gentle edges, and scenic surroundings make it ideal for kayaks, canoes, and pedal boats, even with younger children.
- Yarra River Studley Park / Fairfield Boat House – very popular for families with young children using kayaks or canoes. The Boathouses are a lovely spot for families to hire rowboats or pedal boats, offering a calm and scenic way to explore the Yarra River together while enjoying a relaxed, nature-filled day out.
- Warrandyte at Pound Bend Reserve – Pound Bend is most famous for its swimming and bushland setting. It’s also a great spot for paddling with kids, especially in the shallow and calm sections of the Yarra River, which make it suitable for small kayaks or inflatable boats.
- Lysterfield Lake – Perfect for swimming, canoeing, kayaking and paddleboarding with picnic spots and shaded areas for rest.
Tips for paddling with kids:
• Always wear life jackets; they are available when hiring boats.
• Stick to the lake edges if children are very young or inexperienced.
🦆 4. Lakes & Reservoir Parks for Picnics
If ocean water isn’t calling, freshwater lakes offer a refreshing change. These freshwater lakes and reservoirs around Melbourne are perfect for family-friendly summer adventures, offering safe swimming and nature experiences. They combine the fun of water play with picnic areas, playgrounds, and bushland, making them ideal for kids of all ages.
- Lilydale Lake – Seasonal swimming and safe recreation spots with lifeguard patrols during busy periods. Popular for families with a large playground, picnic areas, BBQs, and walking/bike paths around the lake. Calm water areas are suitable for wading and supervised paddling for younger kids.
- Lysterfield Lake – Perfect for swimming, canoeing, kayaking and paddleboarding with picnic spots and shaded areas for rest.
- Blue Lake, Daylesford – 1.5 hours from Melbourn. Clear freshwater lake suitable for swimming and paddle sports. Walking trail and picnic spots around the lake. Cafes nearby for a relaxed family outing.
- Maroondah Reservoir Park – Walking and cycling trails surrounding the calm water. Picnic areas and shaded spots. Shallow edges suitable for supervised paddling or wading.
- Blue Lake, Plenty Valley – Blue Lake in Plenty Valley Reserve is a stunning natural reserve where families can explore rugged bushland, dramatic volcanic rock formations, and scenic walking trails, perfect for adventurous kids and nature lovers.
Tips for swimming in lakes with kids:
• Stick to the lake edges if children are very young or inexperienced. Swim in designated swimming zones whenever possible. Look for calm, shallow water for young children. Avoid areas with strong currents, sudden drop-offs, or boat traffic.
💦 5. Creeks, Ferns & Cool Forest Walks
- Olinda Falls & Fern Gully – Gentle walk to beautiful waterfalls. Cool fern-filled gully providing natural shade in summer. Perfect for toddlers and young kids to explore safely.
- Sassafras Creek Reserve – Shady creekside reserve with a mix of natural paths and small bridges. Kids can splash in shallow sections of the creek. Ferns and shady spots perfect for picnics.
- Belgrave Lake Reserve (creek area) – Opposite the playspace, there’s a perfect spot for families, with calm, shallow creek waters where kids can splash and play, surrounded by grassy picnic areas and walking trails for a full-day outdoor adventure.
🔍 Tips for Exploring Forests with Kids in Summer
- Stay cool: Hats, sunscreen, lightweight clothing.
- Footwear: Closed shoes or hiking shoes for creek crossings.
- Snacks & water: Bring plenty for energy breaks.
- Wildlife awareness: Encourage kids to watch quietly for birds, frogs, and lizards.
- Mini nature activities: Collect leaves, observe moss and ferns, or create a “creek critter journal.”