Sun, Sand, Shopping, and Dining at Hampton Beach, Southland

The City of Melbourne is blessed with a long coastline located within Port Phillip Bay. Its beaches are clean and lined with golden-coloured sand. Port Phillip is an enclosed bay with a narrow opening and relatively shallow waters making the coastal waters a somewhat safer place to swim. One of these beaches is Hampton Beach.

History

Hampton is a suburb that started out as a marketplace in the late 1800s where locally grown produce, among other things, was sold. Prior to being called Hampton, it bore the name Retreat, named after a famous hotel in the area. The name Retreat, however, did not sit well with the growing number of residents and landowners who were not fond of it. They wanted a name that was classy and dignified, much like the neighbouring suburb of Sandringham. Around 1887 the suburb of Retreat was renamed Hampton after a fellow by the name of Dyas Hampton, a local market gardener.

Scenic Views

The ocean views at Hampton Beach are both relaxing and inviting. It is located between Picnic Point and Brighton Beach, which means you are surrounded by a wide open sky, ocean, and sand. There are plenty of natural and man-made structures that can be seen from Hampton Beach. You can see boats docked at the Sandringham Boat Harbour and the Bayside Coastal Art Trail, 17 kilometres of coastline made famous by Australian artists featuring them in their works.

You may see a famous landmark while strolling on the beach called "The Swimmer," a bronze statue cast by the artist Jeffery Wilkinson. The beach is also a favourite destination for windsurfers and kiteboarders.

Shops

There are lots of shops close to Hampton Beach that you can visit. The Hampton Farmers' Market, located along Willis Lane, showcases the best of Victorian-grown and prepared foods open on Sundays from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. A Woolworths for your household and other fresh or non-fresh food items is right across it. Bonds Outlet Hampton sells a wide range of casual clothing for men, women, children, and babies. The Soleilo Store was founded in 1988 and provided classy and stylish women's clothing.

Restaurants

Hampton Beach is surrounded by a bevvy of dishes from different parts of the globe, making it a great place for gastronomic tourism. Restaurants line Hampton Street; you only need to walk or drive along it.

An abundance of different fish swim in Port Phillip Bay waters, and it has been one of Victoria's professional fisheries for over 170 years. It is also natural for Hampton Beach to be surrounded by fresh seafood restaurants. The Hampton Swordfish & Chippery is a local restaurant established in 2003 which has been cooking up an assortment of fish and seafood paired with perfectly fried chips.

If you want Mediterranean cuisine, there is a family-owned and operated restaurant called Urchin Bar. They claim to produce the finest Mediterranean cuisine in the bayside area and have been in business for over 30 years.

Thai cuisine is popular around the world. Restaurants like Gusto House Thai Restaurant and Suwan Thai Cuisine are just two places where you can get your fix of Southeast Asian dishes. Italian food is another popular type. You can sample a taste from restaurants like Il Forno, with its traditional cooking and fine dining feel, and La Svolta, with its modern style and relaxed dining. Other types of cuisine, such as Japanese, Indian, and Vietnamese, are available too.

Safety

Safety should always be your top priority. For those times when emergency lifesaving measures are needed, there is the Hampton Life Saving Club — members of the club patrol the shores of Hampton Beach, keeping an eye out for swimmers and beachgoers. The best spot to go for a swim would be in front of the club headquarters, where you are easily spotted in case of emergency.

Trey Bit Reserve

An awesome place to visit near Hampton is the bayside Trey Bit Reserve, which has a length of 0.29 kilometres. You can do several activities there, such as jogging, kayaking, and yoga. Going to Reserve only takes 3 minutes by car from Hampton Beach.

Eye Concepts, Southland

Taking in the scenic views or reading the menu at a restaurant while visiting Hampton Beach can be cumbersome. Good thing there is an Eye Concepts close by and only 8 minutes away by car. Eye Concepts, Southland has everything you need for sight correction and eye care. Their staff and optometrists are friendly and ready to attend to your visual needs.

Conclusion

Enjoy plenty of sights and activities in and around Hampton Beach. You can spend time doing beach-related activities or walk in the surrounding area to gain great dining and shopping experiences. Hampton Beach is truly a great place to be!

How to reach Hampton Beach

Hampton Beach is located at Beach Road, Hampton, Bayside, Victoria 3188, Australia. This place is well known for its narrow sandy beach situated below cliffs. These cliffs overlooking the bay provide breathtaking panoramic coastal views. Getting there from Eye Concepts, Southland is just a 7-minute drive. Head west on Bay Rd. Then use any lane to turn right onto Beach Rd/State Route 33. Continue driving for 1.5 km. The destination will be on the left.