Mount Eliza: Coast, Market and Sailing

Mount Eliza offers a variety of ways to enjoy a stay: coastal scenery, a visit to the market, sailing and walks in the Regional Park.

Coast and habitats along the foreshore

The Mount Eliza Foreshore stretches for more than six kilometres along Port Phillip Bay and includes six quiet beaches—from Daveys Bay in the north to Sunnyside Beach in the south. One specific example is Ranelagh Beach: its sandy shore is bordered by headlands and distinguished by colourful beach huts. This makes it possible to distinguish the general coastal landscape from the particular features of this named beach.

The foreshore also includes native coastal vegetation and wetlands, such as Coastal Headland Scrub, Coast Banksia Woodland and freshwater wetlands. These habitats support a variety of wildlife. So, alongside the beaches, vegetation and wildlife habitats also shape the foreshore; visitors interested in the natural side of the coast will find specific examples here.

Market and sailing opportunities

The Mount Eliza Farmers’ Market takes place on the fourth Sunday of every month from 9 am to 1 pm and is held in all weather. Seasonal produce is available there. Its regular schedule gives your visit a clear time frame. If the market is important to your trip, plan around the fourth Sunday and check the market dates for your visit in advance.

During the sailing season, the Davey's Bay Yacht Club offers sailing programs on Friday evenings and Sundays for children, young people and adults of all experience levels. The range extends from beginners to experienced and competitive sailors. The club also holds beach and keelboat races on Sunday afternoons. The programs are tied to the sailing season; the races take place at the stated time on Sunday afternoons. If sailing is part of your stay, check the dates for your travel period.

Regional Park and beach access

Mount Eliza Regional Park offers several specific reasons to visit: it is suitable for scenic walks and has picnic areas and a playground. There is also a designated off-leash area for dogs. These features give you different ways to plan your visit to the park—around a walk, a break at a picnic area, the playground or the designated area for dogs.

When visiting Ranelagh Beach, planning the route down to the beach is also important. Access is via the southern section of Earimil Drive and a path with steep steps. If you plan to visit this particular beach, take the steps into account when considering access. Together with its sandy shore, headlands and beach huts, this gives a specific picture of the location without equating its features with those of other stretches of coast.

Discover more destinations: Traralgon, Gembrook, North Melbourne, Wye River, Moyreisk, Inglewood, Bendigo, Rowville

For the overview of the wider region: Victoria.