The Bayside City is a neighbourhood in the state of Victoria, located in the southern outskirts of Melbourne. It has a population of around 97,000 residents, and is spread across an area of 36 kilometres square. Remember to choose Melbourne bus charter, if you are planning to tour this wonderful city on a group trip.
About The City Of Bayside
In 1994, on December 14, the Bayside City Council was created as a new municipality comprising the old City of Mordialloc west of Charman Road, the former City of Sandringham, a portion of the City of Moorabbin and the former City of Brighton. In 2008, the city was ranked 8th in the BankWest Quality of Life Index, among the other 590 local government regions in Australia.
It has an excellent transport infrastructure connecting to major parts of the state, including nearby suburbs of Sandringham, Pennydale, Highett, Hampton East, Hampton, Cheltenham, Brighton, Beaumaris, Black Rock, Brighton East and Sandringham. The city is home to plenty of family-friendly attractions suitable for people of all ages and abilities. Enlisted below are a few you can visit, while in the city of Bayside.
The Gallery At BACC
With a wide array of art and heritage collection of more than 2000 items, the Gallery at BACC is a must visit for art lovers. When the cities of Brighton and Sandringham were merged in the year 1994, this collection was created by combining the masterpieces. The vintage objects are showcased at the Black Rock House, the Corporate Centre in Sandringham and The Gallery at BACC. Here, you will find various forms of art, including sculpture, mosaics, textiles, glass, ceramics, paper works and paintings. Some of the most significant artworks are those by Margaret Baskerville, Charles Douglas Richardson and Clarice Beckett.
Local community and traditional settlers of the region have also contributed to the same, with the collection including artworks by Torres Strait Islander artist Ellen Jose, Aboriginal artist Glenn Romanis and Kirrae Wurrung artist Vicki Couzens.
Brighton Bathing Boxes
Certainly one of the most photo-perfect places in the suburb, the Brighton Bathing Boxes in Port Philip Bay is a key attraction. There are a total of 82 boxes, outlining the foreshore at Brighton Beach, in a row of uniformly structured wooden setting. It was built almost 100 years back, with an idea of having seaside bathing facilities, and it has remained unchanged since then. The vintage architecture features corrugated iron roofs, weatherboards and timber framing.
Given the vibrancy of these decorations, the boxes turn the shoreline into an iconic and attractive beachscape that can turn according to colour, light and season. You won’t be able to resist yourself from taking out your camera.
The Bay Trail
The Bay Trail is a common path for pedestrians and cyclists which follow the shoreline of Port Philip Bay through the south-eastern parts of Melbourne. Commencing at the Austin Road, the trail runs through the Seaford Wetlands view platform, and is an exceptional ride for bikers. Apart from special facilities for cyclists and pedestrians, the trail is also popular among inline skaters.
Cheltenham Memorial Park And Reserve
This memorial park in Cheltenham was formed in the year 1933, following an increased demand for grave sites in 1920s. The 50 acre land was gradually established through acquisitions, from 1944 to 1952. The first wall niche memorial and lawn burial area was established in the year 1961, and the first mausoleum was constructed in 1966. The cemetery has a total of 6 mausolea at present.
The reserve and playground is another key attraction set amid plenty of green shades, with a reserved playground for children. There are climbing walls, spinning cup, a flying fox and a bird’s nest swing. There are some fantastic bush walking tracks as well, and you can have a great time, if you are having a dog with you. There’s also a separate play structure, including fireman’s pole, spiral ladder, curved slide and a wave slide.
Red Bluff
Just at the edge of Lake Victoria, Red Bluff is an amazing place for canoeing and swimming, along with horse riding and track driving options as well. However, when the lake bed is dry, you are not allowed to take your vehicle. This camping area can be easily accessed through the Lakeside Track.
This coastal park is laden with a number of activities, favouring a stretch of 90-mile Beach extending all the way to Lakes Entrance from Seaspray. You can also indulge in water sports activities, along with waterskiing, beach walking and surf fishing in a relaxing ambiance. If you want to visit the western end of the park and sea-fringed eastern section, better to take the Longford–Loch Sport Rd.
Donald MacDonald Reserve
Playing a key part in bushland and open space network, the Donald Macdonald Reserve is an area of remnant vegetation, with its regional importance mainly due to the presence of a large gathering of native orchids. The sports ground is protected by a bushland, mainly comprising of Coast Wattle and Coast Tea-tree. One can also witness many aboriginal species including Sand-hill Sword-sedge and Showy Bossiaea.
A committee was formed in 1992, with an objective to protect and restore the remnant and indigenous vegetation of the area. All the activities are season dependent, including a morning tea get together, walks through restricted sections of the reserve, litter removal, watering, planting of aboriginal species, weeding and seed gathering.
Elwood Beach
With a solid cultural feel to its surroundings, Elwood beach is an eclectic and gorgeous part of the city. There are eateries, skateboarders and patches of graffiti everywhere, making it one of the most beautiful seaside destinations near Melbourne. It’s a relaxing escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, with beautiful sceneries to enjoy.
The yellow sands and calm waters are not just for the sighting, but also to get some haul laps in your swim suit. The depth is just good enough to bring your kids on the shore, and get them wave riding and boogie boarding.