Point Lonsdale Front Beach

Point Lonsdale Front Beach is an open ocean beach at the Bellarine Peninsula village of Point Lonsdale, about 105 kilometres south-west of the Melbourne CBD near Queenscliff. The beach sits right beside 'the Rip', the narrow, tidal entrance where Bass Strait meets Port Phillip Bay, so while the swimming area itself is a moderate, open ocean beach with real swell, the currents just offshore around the Rip are notoriously strong and unpredictable. The historic Point Lonsdale Lighthouse stands on the headland immediately above the beach, giving the area a distinctive silhouette and a popular lookout point over the water and the shipping channel. The vibe is that of a small seaside village rather than a party beach: family holidaymakers, surfers and photographers mix through summer, with a noticeably quieter, more local feel outside the December-March peak season. Amenities include public toilets and showers, a summer lifeguard patrol with a flagged swimming area, and a short walk into the village for cafes and general stores along Point Lonsdale Road. Access is easiest by car via the Bellarine Highway, roughly a 15-minute drive from Queenscliff; public transport options are limited to a V/Line coach service to Geelong followed by a local bus connection to Point Lonsdale, making a car the more practical choice for most visitors.