Originally Posted by tassietiger

If it was me l would buy a house in the Dandenong mountains on a large block of land or small acerage and have a swimming pool instead of living near the beach. The beaches in Melbourne are'nt all that good and are crowded in the few months of the year its warm enough to go swimming. But the best beaches and coastline are 1 hours drive and more outside Melbourne which are some of the best in Australia. Hallet Cove and the beaches in Adelaide are pity average . If its great beaches and warm weather all year round you are after then you should consider Queensland maybe the Gold coast area, not Adelaide or Melbourne. But just outside Melbounre and Victoria is one of the best places in Australia for camping and outdoor activities which you said you were interested in.
The best way to decide is to visit both Adelaide and Melbourne yourselves,Although useful, you can't rely on other peoples opinions alone.

Originally Posted by Buzzy--Bee

Actually the beaches in Melbourne are among the best in Australia. We live 15 mins walk from a stunning sandy beach, 30 mins commute from the CBD.

And as for crowded, that is just rubbish.

But then I'm guessing, tassietiger, you don't live in Melbourne?

Buzzy

Originally Posted by The Crow

No it's not very cold - I get fed up of saying this. Winter so far has been around 15oC day time temp. Though typically it ranges from 12oC-15oC. Nights can be cold - but in 2 and half winters have only seen 2 light frosts.

Skiing is cheap if you want to go for the day - not so cheap if you want to stay longer!

Originally Posted by tassietiger

Yes there are great beaches but on the edge of Melbourne or outside Melbourne in country VIctoria. But the beaches inside Melbourne like St Kilda beach in my opinion are pity dreadful, Also crowded when its warm enough to go swimming.

Originally Posted by joh117

Mornington has great beaches in its own right why would you want to go to St Kilda beach????? To avoid the crowds head to Balnarring beach its beautiful with great views of Cowes on Philip Island.

Originally Posted by joh117

I lived there for 3 yrs and I am sorry but having to wrap up under a blanket on the sofa is cold to me. This is at night admittedly and we had ducted heating. Like I explained it is due to no double glazing, no carpets, large rooms and no insulation. When you are used to all this in the UK even 2 degrees which it did go down to was cold. We had to have hot water bottles and electric blankets in the rental we had before we bought and could see our breathe in the bedroom. That is cold.

Jo

Originally Posted by tassietiger

l read the sandunes at Frankston beach are full of perverts and druggies. Melbournes beachs range from ordinary to dreadful, but drive an hour outsdie melbourne west along the great ocean road or east to gippsland are some of the best beaches and scenic coastline in Australia, no crowds, pollution ,druggies or perverts.

Originally Posted by The Crow

Here's one of Melbourne's dreadful beaches (40 mins out).

Originally Posted by tassietiger

l read the sandunes at Frankston beach are full of perverts and druggies. Melbournes beachs range from ordinary to dreadful, but drive an hour outsdie melbourne west along the great ocean road or east to gippsland are some of the best beaches and scenic coastline in Australia, no crowds, pollution ,druggies or perverts.

Originally Posted by jond

I don't know of any sand dunes at Frankston?

Here is a beach in Gippsland, why move anywhere else over than Victoria


ps

Good camping and fishing on this beach.

John

Originally Posted by tassietiger

l would'nt go camping on St Kilda or Frankston beach

Originally Posted by tassietiger

l read the sandunes at Frankston beach are full of perverts and druggies. Melbournes beachs range from ordinary to dreadful, but drive an hour outsdie melbourne west along the great ocean road or east to gippsland are some of the best beaches and scenic coastline in Australia, no crowds, pollution ,druggies or perverts.

Originally Posted by joh117

Mornington is not Frankston. The mornington peninsula does not include Frankston