Brighton, a suburb of Victoria in Melbourne, is considered one of Victoria’s most desirable areas and its claim to fame is the bright bathing boxes on Dendy Street Beach. Aside from its pretty beach and colour, Brighton’s appeal is also for its shopping, as it has a few shopping districts for both high-end and normal shopping experiences.
Brighton is also renowned for its natural beauty and historic value. Green Point and Foreshore Reserve are known for scenic views of the neighbourhood. Foreshore is the place to get a picture of the sunset.
Brighton is a great choice for a quiet holiday because it has a population of just over 27,000 and isn’t a raving party spot. However, Brighton still has a thriving nightlife scene with upmarket restaurants and bars, and it is particularly known for a few of its wine bars, popular with locals, like Winelarder. If you're planning to explore Melbourne next, finding flights to Melbourne from the UK can make the journey effortless, allowing you to experience both the serenity of Brighton and the vibrant charm of Australia.
Because Brighton is close to some vineyards by drive, like Stumpy Gully Vineyard and The Gurdies Winery, it is no surprise that there is a nice wine scene in the local area. It may not be as popular as The Wines for Dudes tours in Margaret River, but Brighton is still a great tourist attraction for wine lovers.
In Brighton you can enjoy your wine outside the overcrowded city of Melbourne, but what else is there to do in this little neighbourhood?
1. Visit Dendy Street Beach.
Brighton can’t get closer to the water, so the first order of business when visiting there is to go to Dendy Street Beach. There is an easy guide on how to get to Dendy Street Beach/ The Bathing Boxes, but it is close to local attractions, and you’ll be able to spot the Bathing Boxes from a mile away! Dendy Street Beach also connects directly to the bigger Brighton Beach so even if you’re not interested in the bathing boxes, you can take a picturesque walk or sunbathe on the beach.
Mainly Dendy Street is better for a photo op for Instagram than to stay at for too long. It is close to many of Brighton’s tourist attractions by walking. Nearby is the Bayside Coastal Art Trail, a walk designed to celebrate some Australian artists, and the trendy Church Street, home to all the best food and shopping in Brighton.
2. Walk along Church Street.
Yes, Church Street does have Brighton’s best eateries and shopping destinations. Church Street has over 200 shops and some boutique and independent stores.
Church Street’s clothing shops are known for their fashionable look and these shops are the place if you’re looking to splurge on capsule pieces for your wardrobe or if you’re looking for a gift to bring back home. Church Street can provide an elegant experience for luxury travelers in Brighton in where to eat and shop.
Church Street is ideal for a night out in Brighton because of the amount of highly-rated restaurants on the street. The White Rabbit is a Mediterranean food spot that locals love. Further along Church Street, there are other lots of cuisines within a few minutes walk.
3. Visit Billilla Mansion.
Luxury is not everyone’s thing, but at least Billilla Mansion comes with history. Dating back to indigenous times, the mansion is a gorgeous place to reflect and take a breather in the gardens. It’s in Bayside in Brighton and has an Edwardian style of architecture, despite being built in the Victorian era by Robert Wright in 1878. Later Billilla was purchased by the local council in 1973 to preserve its history.
The property was never intended to be privately owned and is now owned by the council. It is even available for hire as a wedding venue!
4. Get Coffee at Brighton Soul.
Walking around Church Street is tiring, so a must-stop is Brighton Soul. Brighton Soul’s slogan is “breakfast, lunch and good vibes”, describing the cafe's aesthetic dishes and vibrant interior to perfection. Brighton Soul has a selection of unique cold and hot brews from your average matcha to an intriguing blue algae drink.
Brighton Soul’s coffee alone is out of this world and the weird and wonderful drinks are not to be missed.
5. Enjoy One Of Brighton’s Many Parks and Gardens.
Brighton has more to it than its beaches, its parks and gardens deserve a shoutout too!
We already mentioned some of them but there are many to choose from. Landcox Park is best for a stroll with a dog or a relaxed run to see the ducks. It also has a huge playground with a sandpit for the kids and is a family-friendly haven.
Hurlingham Park is better for sports because it has large playing fields and is home to Brighton’s local football and cricket teams. It’s not as scenic as Landcox Park, but it is still a nice green area to enjoy a walk or a picnic at the tables.