Set the tone at Mentone Beach Southland
Mentone Beach is located 21 kilometres south of Melbourne in Mentone, Port Phillip Bay, Victoria. It has a length of 1.5 kilometres and was founded in the late 1800s by John Mason. The beach is associated with the Heidelberg School of Australian Artists and was the subject of famous paintings by Tom Roberts and Charles Condor. Mentone beach is very accessible to the public and is great for surfing, especially for beginners, with waves usually below 2 meters in height.
Beach safety
Beachgoers should practice safety at all times at Mentone beach. Children and grownups should swim where patrollers are on duty. This is to ensure safety and quick rescue should an emergency occur. There have been no fatal shark attacks in Victoria since 1987. Statistics show that you have a less than one in a million chance of getting bitten by a shark.
However, it is still best to stay alert and keep an eye out for sharks swimming too close to shore. Jellyfish have been known to invade the waters close to the shore, so it is best to swim at dedicated “swimming only” zones.
Some organisations keep swimmers and beachgoers safe in Australia. One particular group that oversees Mentone Beach is the Mentone Life Saving Club. This organisation has been patrolling Mentone beach since 1920 and is one of the oldest clubs of its kind. They also provide many other services related to learning about the beach and safety.
Best Months To Visit
Summer is generally associated with going to the beach. The best months to visit Mentone beach are the summer months of December to February. These are when the hottest temperatures occur and are perfect for tanning. This is considered the most expensive time to travel, though.
Flights and accommodation rates are at their highest during this season when demand is greatest. Average daily temperatures range from 20° to 37° celsius, so don’t forget the sun tan lotion! You have to make plans in advance to avoid the rush.
What to expect
The Mentone beach is surrounded by natural beauty. The sand is white, and the sea is turquoise. It has clear waters, shallow bars, and colourful bathing boxes with white cliffs overlooking the distance. There are several places to grab a bite, from takeaway to more formal restaurants. People also enjoy fishing, sailing and other beach activities like sunbathing or playing volleyball on the shoreline.
Things to do
There are plenty of things to do at Mentone beach. Basic beach activities such as swimming, paddle boarding, surfing, dog walking, or dog watching are among these activities. Visitors can exercise on the concrete path and do yoga on the sand.
Activity for kids
The Mentone Life Saving Club offers a program called Summer Nippers Program. Children may participate in fun activities such as beach games and beach runs, learn surf safety, and familiarise themselves with the water.
There is also a program for special needs children called Starfish Nippers. Children with down syndrome, attention deficit disorder, etc., are welcome to join the learning and fun-filled activities.
Activity for Teens and Grownups
Teenagers and adults can participate in a number of activities too. Those at least 15 years of age could join the Mentone Life Saving Club and become certified beach patrollers. If they are just starting and want to become a patroller, they must enrol in training and pass a skills test. This is to ensure they know to save lives. Training includes lifesaving skills like first aid and CPR.
There is also a club called the Mentone Pink Caps. This group takes pride in swimming in open water and often swims between 1 and 5 kilometres. If swimming in open waters is your thing, then you should definitely join the Mentone Pink Caps.
Individuals focused on health and fitness can join the Mentone Icebergers. This group has existed for almost 40 years and conducts group fitness activities such as biking, running, and swimming.
Dog-Friendly Area
Mentone beach is great for dog owners and dog lovers alike. There is an area on the sand called Mentone Dog Beach where you can bring your dogs and take them off their leash to play and roam uninhibited.
Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary
Not far from Mentone beach is another place rich in avian and ocean fauna. Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary is another great place to learn about unique marine animals and enjoy snorkelling, scuba diving, and bird-watching.
Eye Concepts Southland
All that sun and sand may have affected your eyes. Eye Concepts, Southland, is very close to Mentone beach for your eye and vision-related needs.
Conclusion
Mentone beach is a great place to visit if you are in or near Mentone. It is filled with things to do and is great for socialising physical health and general well-being. With a low General Beach Hazard Rating of 3/10, Mentone beach is one of the least hazardous beaches. It is a safe place to go swimming and surfing.
How to reach Mentone Beach
Mentone Beach is located at Mentone VIC 3194, Australia. If you want just to relax and walk barefoot in the sand after your appointment, Mentone beach is just a 6-minute drive from Eye Concepts, Southland. To get there by car, head east on Bay Rd., then turn right onto Nepean Hwy, use the right two lanes to turn right onto Charman Rd., continue straight, then turn left onto Beach Rd., the destination will be on the right.