Sunnyside Nude Beach, Mt Eliza, Melbourne
Hi everybody, thought I'd give my thoughts on Melbourne's only nude beach, Sunnyside North, in the outer Melbourne suburb of Mt Eliza. The beach is located around 50km from the CBD, and about an hour's drive. There is a designated car park, however this summer, the council started charging for the privilege - $6.50 per hour to a maximum of $19.50. If you are like me, and think that is a bit steep, you can park a little further away on the side of Sunnyside Road, which connects the Nepean Highway to the car park. Street parking is signposted, and be sure to observe them, parking regulations are enforced. If you visit on a weekend, and come anything other than in the early part of the morning, expect a fair walk along the road to get back to the car park.
From the northern end of the car park, there is about a 200 metre walk along the sand and rocks , heading north to reach the clothing optional area. The beach itself is about 500 metres in length, with width varying between 10 to 20 metres in width, with the beach backing onto scrublands. Being on Port Phillip Bay, waves are normally non existent. The first two thirds of the beach are for everyone, while the northern third of the beach is predominantly a gay area.
I prefer to visit in the morning. It's easier to get a parking spot, and the beach is much quieter. The sun rises behind you, while you face the water, and sets out in the bay.
- 2 years ago
Thanks for good description, and about sun and parking.. Have always thought about it but would need to go early or late.
- a year ago
It's similar to 20+ years ago (the last time I was there) but with some improvements. I was never able to get there early so parking was always a challenge. The parking fees now are very steep, probably won't be going back there any time soon. I did get a parking fine there once, it is a deterrent from going there. During the week was good if you could get there, was busy on a nice day on a weekend in summer.
- 5 days ago
It's similar to 20+ years ago (the last time I was there) but with some improvements. I was never able to get there early so parking was always a challenge. The parking fees now are very steep, probably won't be going back there any time soon. I did get a parking fine there once, it is a deterrent from going there. During the week was good if you could get there, was busy on a nice day on a weekend in summer.
- 5 days ago
As if the end of the 2025/25 season the parking fees have been removed, so parking is free again. One small improvement was the addition of stairs at the lower end of the path from the carpark to the sand, which helps stop erosion. The walk from the carpark to the clothing-optional sign is still quite rough - an ever-changing mix of sand and rough rocks.
The alternative entrance is from the north but that is a longer walk and easy access depends on what the weather has done with the boulders. It can be a bit of a scramble, especially early in the season. Later in the season the rocks seem to get moved around again and this approach is less difficult.
I am amazed at how the weather moves the beach around from week to week let alone from year to year. It's always changing!
- 4 days ago
That sounds very similar to 20+ years ago. I went with my wife a few times, parked at the south end and walked, it was an eye opener for her. Other times I parked to the north and walked, it was a distance but it was a nice walk, I did that as it was too hard to get a carpark at the south end. Seems like not much has changed.
- 3 days ago
Very much the same! I haven't parked to the north for a while, but have, principally during C-19 when I may have exceeded my 5-km restriction. I figured parking there would be more low-key than in the carpark or in Sunnyside Rd.
- 2 days ago
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