What Are the Brighton Bathing Boxes?
The Brighton bathing boxes (or beach huts as they’re called elsewhere!) are 82 boxes lining the south of Brighton Beach. The bathing boxes were used to preserve the dignity of the swimmers at the beach as they were built back in the 1860s. They’re the pride and joy of their owners and Brighton. People take their upkeep very seriously. They’re an easy to get to if you’re looking for a car-free trip in Melbourne.
The huts are privately owned and tend to cost an arm and a leg. You’ll often see those who were privileged enough to procure one opening them up for the day for their friends and family to enjoy. They’re often decked with everything you need for the beach but they don’t have power or running water.
How to Get to The Brighton Bathing Boxes
So close to the city, yet it feels so far away! Melbourne quickly turns to suburbia, so by the time you get out to Brighton it really feels like a different world. Remember- Brighton is not in the city centre. This means it is not free travel. You will need a Myki card which you can get at Seven Eleven.
You can get there by taking the train down to Brighton Beach Station. Then walk about 10 minutes from Brighton Beach Gardens along Dandy Beach to the Brighton bathing boxes. I would then recommend walking up to Middle Brighton Station, as that is where the shops and cafes are and catch the train from there back to the city. There is also a parking lot for those of you who drive.
What Is there to do at Brighton Beach?
Basically, you can take photos of the pretty boxes! You can also snoop past any open bathing boxes. There is a walking path from the Brighton North Station over to the bathing boxes that is an easy walk and very popular. It has great views of the city too from the small cliff. Â
Basically the general rule seems to be that if the owner isn’t there using it, you are welcome to take photos and sit on the steps. There is usually a line for the most popular ones like the pastel row and the Australian flag. Definitely wait for your turn and be respectful. But there are so many cute colourful options to choose from!
You can also go swimming if you wish. Honestly – I didn’t. It’s quite rocky, and the sand isn’t that nice squeaky soft quality that most Australian beaches are famous for. Brighton Beach isn’t the nicest beach in Australia, and if you’ve been traveling around Australia this beach will probably seem very disappointing compared to the amazing beaches you can find in this amazing country. However, there is an interesting culture around the bathing boxes which is nice to take in. So bring a towel and people watch.
VERDICT
Are Brighton Bathing Boxes worth a visit?
Uh, it depends. If you haven’t seen bathing boxes before or you want take a cute pic for the gram, definitely head down there for an hour or two. But that is basically it. It isn’t the nicest beach in Melbourne and there isn’t much to do in Brighton. I definitely couldn’t imagine spending the whole day there or longer! But I’m glad I spent the morning there.
If you want to stay for lunch, I recommend Ninna’s Kitchen for some delicious vegan food in Brighton Melbourne (or check out my blog on Vegan Cafes in the South Side of Melbourne for more options). If you go to Brighton bathing boxes make sure you share with me at @apicturesquelife and let me know what you thought!
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