Living in Brighton Beach

Living in Brighton Beach News flash – when visiting Melbourne there are other places to stay other than St Kilda! Now, we know that this snippet of information may be hard to process but please trust us – just down the road lies Brighton Beach – a slightly more fancy suburb which is well-worth a stop-over or at the very least, a day-trip.

Brighton Beach is home to Melbourne’s it-crowd. For example, Eric Bana (AKA The Hulk) and Aussie Shane Warne set up shop here. It also offers a great opportunity to experience some of Melbourne’s best beaches, cafes and restaurants that will make foodies heads spin in delight and that’s before we even mention the shopping that will delight even the most elusive fashionistas.

Where to explore…

You could easily spend a whole day strolling around the area, sipping on delicious coffee, dining on delectable sweet treats and people watching, but if you want to be more focused with your time you should visit the following main streets.

Church Street is a popular area with people who enjoy putting their credit cards to the test! The street is lined with boutiques, high-end fashion brands and establishments where you can pay to beautify yourself. Bay Street is another well-liked hangout where the usual brands are interspersed with cool cafes, great dining and stylish bars. Martin Street is home to some great delicatessens and contemporary retailers and The Esplanade is where you will find much of the area’s accommodation.

What to do…

As mentioned above, a trip to Brighton Beach would not be complete without getting the obligatory snap posing in front of the famous beach huts. Although the appeal of them will no doubt wear off in half an hour or so, you can then switch your attentions to the beautiful surroundings. Dendy Street Beach is one of Melbourne’s best – clear blue waters, beautiful yellow sand and great views of the city skyline make it a great place to kick back and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere of this beach-side suburb.

If you crave something a little more active then pay a visit to Beach Road Cycles (228 The Esplanade), hire yourself some wheels and hit the Beach Road cycling route or off-road Bay Trail where you can also also enjoy a walk if cycling just isn’t for you. The suburb is also a popular kite-surfing spot, so if you have the energy (and the upper body strength) you can book yourself in for a class – although we recommend booking in advance.

Middle Brighton Baths are a historic landmark and a great place to have a paddle in their popular seabaths. Every Sunday you can enjoy live music and beautiful views from 3-6pm in the restaurant deck bar.

Where to eat and drink…

There are so many options to choose from when you’re on the lookout for an expertly crafted flat white, baked delight, sharing platter or lovingly made cocktail that it would be impossible to list them all here. However, here are some of the highlights…

Half Moon is the perfect place to enjoy some fine dining (we recommend the two-tier seafood platter), drinking and socialising. The extensive wine list is one of Melbourne’s best and the bar serves up craft beers from all around the world. It’s worth mentioning that the beer garden is ranked one of the best beer gardens in Melbourne, so it is surely worth seeing if you agree over a pint or two.

Australian’s are the purveyors of world-class breakfast feasts and fine coffee and North Point Café, right opposite the beach and Café Florentine on Church Street are places to put this theory to the test. Both serve monstrous breakfasts and delectable blends. Another great spot is The Pantry, also on Church Street which is part-deli, part restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner and excellent take-away food.

When it comes to places to enjoy a tipple, Mother’s Milk on Bay Street is a cosy spot complete with comfy leather couches, a blazing fire and great drinks menu. Nearby, Pera is a chilled-out jazz bar with a live pianist and a well-rounded wine list. Finally, The Deck Bar, also on Bay Street serves food throughout the day and is a great place for a lively drink any night of the week.

Where to sleep…

Although you are spoilt for choice when it comes to accommodation options in nearby St Kilda, if you don’t mind spending a little more and want to crash in Brighton you should check out Quest Brighton on the Bay on The Esplanade. Slap bang in the middle of the action, right across the road from the Middle Brighton Baths, Pier and Royal Brighton Yacht Club, the hotel offers rooms ranging from attic rooms to studio apartments and will set you back at least $160 per night.

The slightly more pricey, Brighton Savoy Hotel is another good option located directly opposite the famous beach huts. There are two types of room to choose from – standard rooms or something more swanky if you want to splurge on enjoying some luxury. The hotel boasts spa and sauna facilities, free wi-fi and the hugely popular Sea View Restaurant and Bar which is open seven days a week.

Quick facts

•Brighton Beach is located an easily travelable 11km out of Melbourne CBD (from Flinders Street) on the Sandringham train line.

•The suburb was named after Brighton – the seaside town on the UK’s south coast.

•On Dendy Street Beach, just south of Middle Brighton, you will find the 82 iconic Aussie beach huts, which are one of the major tourist photo opportunities in Melbourne. These huts, which were built in the 1940’s, are each painted with their own unique design ranging from Australian flags and boxing kangaroos to waves and hibiscus flowers. The starting price for one of these huts is $200,000 – which goes someway in demonstrating the affluence (and disposable income) of the area.

Traveling in Melbourne? Check out our things to do section