Carrum Beach

Carrum Beach is a sandy beach on the eastern shore of Port Phillip Bay in the suburb of Carrum, within the City of Kingston, about 33 kilometres southeast of central Melbourne, Victoria. Stretching along the Carrum Foreshore Reserve near the mouth of the Patterson River, it is known for its wide sandy shoreline, shallow calm waters, foreshore promenade and family-friendly atmosphere. The beach is a popular local destination for swimming, walking and picnicking with views across the bay.

Visitors can expect a long, wide sandy beach facing Port Phillip Bay with generally calm, shallow water suitable for paddling and swimming. The beach is backed by the Carrum Foreshore Reserve with a paved promenade, grassed picnic areas, shelters and playgrounds. The Patterson River mouth and boat harbour lie at the northern end. The setting is open and urban, with views across the bay, walking and cycling paths, and seasonal lifeguard patrols.

The Carrum area was originally part of the Carrum Carrum Swamp. The Patterson River was created as an artificial cut in the 1870s to drain the swamp and provide river access to Port Phillip Bay. Carrum Beach developed in the early 20th century as a seaside resort for Melbourne, with the foreshore reserve and Patterson River harbour becoming central to local recreation and boating.

Carrum Beach is a longstanding recreational beach for residents of Melbourne's southeast and the City of Kingston. It serves as a community gathering place for swimming, fishing, sailing and foreshore events, and forms part of the continuous chain of Port Phillip Bay beaches valued for coastal recreation.