Top 4 Summer Beach Events
Summer just wouldn't be complete without a healthy dose of sand and sun at one of Melbourne's many beaches.
There's plenty to do and see at Melbourne's beaches this summer. Photo credit: Sandrella2706.
This summer, you're not limited to just enjoying customary activities like dozing on your towel, building sandcastles, frolicking in the water and bringing your fish and chips to the beach. There are plenty of great events around the bay, including festivals, races, and the exhibition of iconic sand sculptures.
Remember to protect your skin from the harsh Aussie sun when at the beach by covering up and making use of sunscreen.
See Frankston's Iconic Sand Sculptures
Every year, master sand sculptors flock to the Frankston foreshore to build intricate creations that put your toddler's bucket-shaped sandcastles to shame.
The theme of this year's
Sand Sculpting Australia exhibition is
Toytopia. A team of twenty-one local and international artists is behind the assortment of sand sculptures of old-fashioned toys including tin soldiers, teddy bears and race cars.
Frankston's annual sand sculpture exhibition impresses with its toy theme in 2012.
Kids enjoy free sand sculpting workshops, face painting and entertainment from a friendly wandering clown, during school holidays and weekends.
The exhibition, which is located just moments from Frankston beach, opened on Boxing Day, and closes on the 26th of April 2012. During January, it is open daily from 10am to 7pm; and from February to April it is open 10am to 4pm Monday to Thursday, and 10am to 6pm Friday to Sunday.
All day entry to the exhibition is priced at a modest $12.50 for adults, $10 concession, and $9 for children aged four to twelve. Kids under four enter free.
Summer by the Sea Festival
Over three hundred free activities based on Victoria's 2000 kilometres of coastline comprise the Department of Sustainability and Environment's
Summer by the Sea 2012.
Summer by the Sea 2012 has free activities for the whole family.
Events include coastal discovery tours, a snorkel safari, fishing workshops and kayaking. Kids will love the "junior biologist" activity, which involves a close look at wildlife in coastal areas.
The activities are held in over eighty locations, many of which are regional although there are some held around the bay. For those not wanting to venture far from the city, there are twilight walks in St Kilda and kayaking in Port Melbourne.
Summer by the Sea is held during the first three weeks of January. Bookings must be made for some activities, check the guide available from
here for details.
Compete in a Swim Race
Whether you're in it to win it or just wanting to enjoy the cool water, a swim race is a unique way to enjoy Melbourne's beaches. You can do it alone, compete with your friends or bring them as your own personal cheer squad on the sand.
The
Port to Park open water swim race begins in Port Melbourne and ends just over a kilometre later in Albert Park. Do it for the exercise, to see how you rate against serious swimmers, or just to experience a lovely morning in the water.
If you're not up for the swim, spectators can walk along the beach as the swimmers proceed to Albert Park.
The race is held at 10am on Saturday the fourth of February, with
online registration closing on the second of February. Competing costs $35.
The South Melbourne Lifesaving Club's Port to Park race is returning in 2012.
Go to the Frankston Waterfront Festival
Frankston truly impresses come summertime- not only do they boast the aforementioned sand sculptures, they also have their own festival celebrating the delights of being situated beside the beach.
The
Frankston Waterfront Festival takes place on the weekend of the 14th to the 15th of January 2012, with must-see fireworks being let off on the Saturday night. The festival boasts plenty of live entertainment including live bands, DJs, and a kids' show. Look out for the Lifestyle Zone, which includes plenty of interactive demonstrations such as croquet and chess playing, cooking workshops for kids, and a rope bridge to climb. The Challenge Arena is also worth a visit- after you see demonstrations of martial arts, tai chi and more, you are guided through having a go at it yourself.
Oversized chess is just one of the activities you get to try your hand at at the Frankston Waterfront Festival.
Perhaps one of the strangest attractions at the Waterfront Festival is human bowling. You are strapped into a giant, clear ball, much like a beach ball but big enough to fit a person; and hurtled at oversized bowling pins. Not for the faint hearted.
There is no entry fee, but be prepared to fork out for food and some activities.
