Mount Martha Beach on the Mornington Peninsula grabs Victoria’s top honors in Australia’s Best Beaches for 2026. Beach guru Brad Farmer AM scoured over 12,500 coastal spots nationwide, crowning this sheltered gem at number eight overall for its family-friendly calm and vibrant beach boxes.
Victoria’s Beach Champion
This stunning, 2km-long stretch of white sand meets crystal-clear, calm, and shallow waters perfect for safe swimming—Balcombe Creek carves it into North and South sections with deep water close to shore and a 100-200m outer bar keeping conditions gentle for kids.
Colourful, well-preserved bathing boxes dot the foreshore, stealing the show as Peninsula icons amid bluffs and wetlands. Beach matting boosts accessibility (rated 4/5 as of April 2025), easing paths for wheelchairs and prams.
How To Visit Mount Martha Beach
Drivers can go 60-70km southeast from the CBD—about 90 minutes via Nepean Highway or Mornington Peninsula Freeway (Route 33)—straight to Esplanade’s gravel parking near the lifesaving club.
Public transport users can catch the Frankston Line train from Flinders Street to Frankston Station (1h), then bus 781 to Esplanade/Bay Road (total 2h30min ride).
Once you’ve reached, you can stroll the 5km boardwalk from Balcombe Creek to Briars for cafes, yacht club views and seamless beach hopping.
Safety and Activities
Mount Martha Life Saving Club patrols weekends and holidays from November through April end, watching over swimmers, paddleboarders, boaters and walkers.
Public toilets, barbecue areas and a cluster of nearby shops and cafes crank up the convenience for all-day beach hangs. Let your friendly pup loose anytime at adjacent Hawker Beach, the off-leash haven steps away.
Hike the coastal trail to The Pillars’ dramatic rock pools for a swim or cliff-top views or push up to Arthurs Seat for sweeping Peninsula panoramas; local nippers squads train year-round while beach markets come alive with stalls on weekends.
Surfers hit outer bars on breezy days, while beachgoers claim spots near the boxes for picnics and stand-up paddling.
Top 10 Beaches In Australia 2026
- 1. Bate Bay Beaches – New South Wales
- 2. Pinky Beach – Western Australia
- 3. Beachcomber Cove – Queensland
- 4. Tallow Beach – New South Wales
- 5. Hellfire Bay – Western Australia
- 6. Godfreys Beach – The Nut – Tasmania
- 7. Inskip Point – Queensland
- 8. Mount Martha – Victoria
- 9. Smoky Bay – South Australia
- 10. Ellery Creek Big Hole – Northern Territory