Beaumaris

by Mary O'Brien

Officially, it's only 20 kilometres from the centre of Melbourne, but spend a weekend in Beaumaris with its cliff-top walks, beach cafe and native trees and you could be forgiven for thinking you're 120 kilometres away.

This is a quiet, family-friendly suburb where four-wheel-drives rule the road and the only night-life is the plentiful parade of possums. Children can walk and cycle to school safely, there's a village feel to the Concourse shops and every few streets is a leafy park. This feels like the suburb that time forgot, although real estate prices are far from sleepy. Many of the simple, original 1950s homes are being bulldozed to make way for bigger, fancier houses. Blocks are generous here and it's easy to fit a sprawling house, a couple of cars and still park your boat. Most families have a high household income, one partner who doesn't work, two or more children and two or more cars, according to the Bayside City Council community profile. Beaumaris is fast losing its daggy reputation and becoming more like wealthier neighbours Black Rock and Sandringham. The main attractions are the beach, the suburban idyll and the choice of schools within a short distance.

TOP TEN SPOTS

Coastal art Beaumaris and Mentone were out in the country when 19th-century artists Arthur Streeton, Charles Conder and Tom Roberts came to paint. Bayside Council has created a beautiful walk, the Coastal Arts Trail (excellent site), stretching from Brighton to Mentone. Explore the trail and see replicas of the famous paintings of the shoreline that the artists compared to the South of France.
The beach Rickett's Point Teahouse has been revitalised in recent years and with its elaborate shades and heaters you can enjoy a coffee a stone's throw from the beach whatever the weather. The sea here is perfect for small children because it's so shallow. The back beach near the Beaumaris Lifesaving Club, which can also be accessed from Dalgetty Road, is favoured by the locals.
The Concourse Here's a cute shopping area, off Reserve Road, with no busy thoroughfare running through it. There's a good vegie shop, deli and fish shop - what more could a foodie want? The cafes, boutiques and decorator shops reflect the area's increasing wealth.
Golf courses and streets This is the famous sand belt with four golf courses within a short distance. There's some quiet, pretty streets with houses that back onto the Royal Melbourne Golf Club. If you're a resident you get a special deal where you can join the club and play off-peak - but, be warned, there's a waiting list.
Country lanes Believe it or not, there's still some unsealed roads in Beaumaris. Coral and Point avenues have some impressive houses that will set you back a million or two. But the advantage is that you get an elevated view of the bay and you're away from Beach Road traffic.
Deauville Estate and Mariemont Ave. Residents in the pretty Deauville Estate are fighting the developers to retain the character of the area. It is bounded by Beach and Wells roads, Valmont Avenue and Deauville Street. Mariemont Avenue, on a slight hill, also has some expensive houses with views of the bay.
Avenues off Beach Road There are some upmarket roads off Beach Road (top right) and between Haydens Road and Black Rock. Expect to pay more for these addresses.
Seaview shops This shopping strip on busy Balcombe Road has improved in leaps and bounds. There are butchers, vegetables, a fish shop, a chicken shop and a popular cafe. Handy for older residents who walk to the shops.
Keys Street and Beaumaris Pavilion The cluster of restaurants on Keys Street and Beach Road do a good business in summer. Dine and enjoy the bay views from Beaumaris Pavilion.
Library and Beaumaris Art Group A new library opened last year. The art group next door has been popular for 50 years.

NEED TO KNOW

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Invest in a four-wheel-drive if you want to blend in. Beaumaris once had a tram-line but is now not well serviced by public transport although this makes it quieter than neighbouring suburbs. Commuters must drive or walk to Mentone or Cheltenham stations to get a Frankston line train. Many drive to Sandringham or Brighton Beach to catch the Sandringham train. Buses take leisurely routes to Southland and St Kilda.

SCHOOLS

Here's one of the reasons the suburb is so popular with families. There are three primary schools: Beaumaris, Beaumaris North and Stella Maris. Sandringham Secondary College has a Beaumaris campus for years 7—10. Mentone next door has Mentone Girls Secondary College, Kilbreda College, St Bede's, Mentone Grammar and Mentone Girls Grammar. Firbank Grammar has a primary campus in Sandringham.

ENTERTAINMENT

You won't be short of a latte with the explosion of cafes in the past year or so. Try Malt or Beaumaris Pantry and Larder in the Concourse. The Beaumaris Pavilion Hotel is good for people-spotting and there's always Rickett's Point Teahouse. For serious diners, Citrus at Beaumaris is your best bet, the Lobster Cave is an institution and there's Zaika - Indian and "It's good gear" says the Age. The nearest cinemas are at Southland and Brighton.

SPORT AND RECREATION

You're spoilt for choice here. There are four large parks, the largest of which is Donald MacDonald Reserve (off-leash dogs allowed), tennis clubs, yacht and motor yacht clubs. Footy and cricket are serious participation sports. One of the best places for enjoying the great outdoors is Rickett's Point. Locals avoid it on Sundays when cyclists take over.

PAST HISTORY

Why our local suburbs are called what they are called...

World-famous fossil beds near Table Rock. The cliffs and underlying gravel beds of Beaumaris Bay contain one of the richest and most diverse fossil groupings in Australia for both marine mammals and sharks!

Title: Village people
Publication: The Age Newspaper
Author: Mary O'Brien
Links: TBT
Date: 17/06/2006

Take a virtual strolll around Beaumaris, starting at the BT HQ in Rosemary Road.

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