Description:

Point Lonsdale forms the western side of Port Phillip Heads, with 'The Rip' separating it from Point Nepean. The town of Point Lonsdale has a protected bay beach and more exposed ocean beaches. The main ocean beach is known as the Back or Surf Beach and is the site of the Point Lonsdale Surf Life Saving Club's Surf Rescue Base. A walking track leads from the Surf Life Saving Club Clubrooms over the dunes to the beach.

Bathing:

A moderately hazardous beach owing to the moderate waves and strong permanent and shifting rips, together with rocks and reefs. Definitely stay on the bars, clear of the rips and rocks and between the flags.

Facilities:

Public toilets (including facilities for the disabled) are available at the Surf Rescue Base. The nearest shops and public telephones are located at the Point Lonsdale Shops, located in Point Lonsdale Road, some 400 metres away. Car parking is available along Ocean Road, with a large provision between Buckley's Road and Laker Drive.

Location:

The beach is located off Ocean Road and can be accessed via a number of marked pathways that vary from a rather steep sealed roadway (emergency vehicle access only), to a number of steep gravel pathways and a less steep gravel path located at the end of Fellows Road.

Melways Map (Edition 29 - 2002) - 499 G 6

Melways Map (Edition 28 and earlier) - 235 F 11

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Point Lonsdale Back (Surf) Beach - off Ocean Road Point Lonsdale. Emergency Beach Marker 3W.

A bus service that operates between Geelong, Point Lonsdale and Queenscliff stops directly in front of the main access point to the beach.


Surfing:

Beach breaks are common over the numerous reefs, with the best known as Glaneuse, located at the end of Glaneuse Road. A permanent rip, known as 'The Escalator' is positioned some 75 metres east of the Surf Rescue Base. Surfing is best with northerly winds, a low to moderate swell at mid to high tide, as the reefs are exposed at low tide.

Fishing:

A popular spot offering permanent rips and gutters, particularly adjacent to the reefs and rocks.

Summary:

This is the surf beach for the popular Point Lonsdale holiday town and very popular with bathers in summer and surfers year round. However it is a hazardous beach with strong permanent rips, so use extreme care. The Surf zone is dominated by rips and reefs. The beach is bordered by rocks and reefs with deeper reefs offshore.

Safety rating (including other local beaches):