Bayside Drive

Suburbs around the bay that are a must-see are:

Port Melbourne:

An old suburb that has gone full circle and which has become a fashionable place to live for younger working professionals because of its close proximity to the CBD. (see Port Melbourne)

Albert Park:

Upmarket restaurants and cafes are the order of the day in this suburb.

St Kilda:

Once the setting for prostitutes and druggies, St Kilda is fast returning to its heydays of the 30s, when it was one of Melbourne's most fashionable suburbs. This bayside suburb is now one of the main tourist destinations for visitors to Melbourne and is renowned for its picturesque bayside setting, close proximity to the city and fast-growing cafe lifestyle. Places to visit are Fitzroy Street and Ackland Street, the latter being famous for its cake shops. (see St Kilda). Also, the St Kilda Botanical Gardens, situated in Blessington Street (off Ackland Street), are a delightful sanctuary that not many people know about and well worth a visit (the rose gardens are spectacular and among the finest in Melbourne).

Elwood:

This is fast becoming one of the most popular bayside destinations on a Saturday and Sunday because of the many Quaint cafes that frequent Point Ormond and Ormond Esplanade.

Brighton:

Melbourne's prime bayside suburb in terms of real estate. Church Street has excellent upmarket cafes and boutique shops.

Hampton:

Hampton Street is a long shopping strip with an interesting array of cafes, antique shops, book shops and recycle shops.

Williamstown:

On the Opposite side of the bay, this older suburb has also gone full circle and now enjoying a new popularity with trendy young things. It is where sea captains once chose to live but is now the home of young couples with a single child and a dual income. Willimstown is renowned for its sidewalk cafes, marina and monthly Sunday market.