Australia seriously has the best beaches in the world. This is a hidden gem about an hour and a half drive east of Melbourne. Most people are familiar with Philip island, but I find it a bit overrated to be honest. The trick is to keep driving past where you would turn off to the island until you end up in a town called Inverloch.
Inverloch is a great little beach town on the coast of Victoria. It's got all the usual beach town requirements, good pub, surf shop and great fish and chips.
One of the great things about Inverloch is that it has an inlet area which is great if you have kids for them to paddle about in.
I could go on about how much I love the place but I urge you to check it out! In the mean time, here's some pics I took on my iPhone when I went there last year with my brother.
Those rocks protruding out in the distance are called The Eagles Nest. There's an amazing picnic area on the cliffs overlooking it, perfect for fish and chips and a beer!