Description:

Between Shortland Bluff and Point Lonsdale is a curving, south-east facing, 3 km long series of three beaches. The entire section is backed by foreshore reserves and the Bellarine Highway and Point Lonsdale Road. There are camping and picnic areas in the reserve, just west of Shortland Bluff and further west at Golightly and Royal Parks. The central section of Lonsdale Bay beach is backed by natural, vegetated dunes, with a walking track linking the camping areas.

Lonsdale Bay beach is 2.5 km long and faces south. It consists of a low, wide beach and shallow, attached bar, usually with waves of less than 0.5 m. The southern end of the beach is backed by a seawall and promenade, with several wooden groynes crossing the beach.

Bathing:

During normal low waves these beaches are relatively calm with wide shallow surf zones. Just watch the patchy rocks and reefs to the south, and strong tidal currents off Shortland Bluff.

Facilities:

Public toilets (including facilities for the disabled) are available at the Surf Rescue Base. A general store and public telephones are located several hundred metres away, with the larger shopping area located at Queenscliff, some 500 metres away. Very limited car parking is available in Henry Street, with further parking being available in nearby streets of The Esplanade and Smith / Fraser Streets, all of which have access paths to the beach. Parking is more readily available across the Bellarine Highway however caution should be taken in crossing this road which can be particularly busy during the Summer period.

Location:

The main access track to the beach is located off Henry Street, but it can be easily accessed via a number of marked pathways that vary in steepness and accessed from The Esplanade and Smith / Fraser Streets.

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

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

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Santa Casa (Nun's) Beach - off Henry Street Queenscliff. Emergency Beach Marker 8B.

A bus service that operates between Geelong, Point Lonsdale and Queenscliff stops near to the entrance to the beach, via Fraset Street.

Surfing:

Usually low beach breaks.

Fishing:

The seawall round the Bluff and the southern rocks and jetty are the best locations.

Summary:

This is the most popular swimming beach for the township of Queenscliff. It is a very popular beach for young families as conditions are generally safe, with a gradual drop off into deeper water from the waters edge.

Safety rating (including other local beaches):