Summer beach holiday in Victoria - suggestions on towns please

Hello,

We've decided to do the classic, rent a house down the beach for a few weeks holiday thing. With two little bubs it's the easiest way to have a lovely holiday.

We don't need anything fancy. A town where we can walk to park, beach and shops would do nicely. Don't need heaps of shops either - a few take aways and an IGA local type supermarket would be lovely.

We don't want to drive longer than 4 hours from Melbourne. The Mornington Peninsula doesn't really do it for me as I grew up down there.

So hit me. Any towns or accomodation places that you'd recommend?

Cheers,
Fiona

Hmmm well the peninsula is good because the beaches are so kid friendly in the bay, but if that's out. Wye river is nice. The big 4 there is well equipped for toddlers and the food at the pub is nice.
Philip Island?
A cabin at the prom?
Sandy Point?
Friends with kids love Lake Patterson, but i've never been there...

What about where the surfing always is... cant remember the name right now, its towards Ivanhoe... three hours drive

Being New South Wales born yet living in Queensland more than half my life now, I am not overly knowledgeable about VIC but have had quite a few trips down there now, our most recent VIC holiday last September we toured ourselves through the Mornington Peninsular (which we loved, but can understand why you wouldn't be too excited about it being that you're from there, same reaosn we're not gaga over the Gold Coast anymore I guess!) and then went out along the Great Ocean Road which was absolutely stunning! We stayed in Lorne & Apollo Bay and both were gorgeous cosy family friendly towns which I think would be perfect for a beach getaway! Lorne is alot bigger than Apollo Bay and probably has alot more to do but both were beautiful places, I think Lorne was about 2 hours from Melb and Apollo Bay about 3.5 hours.. Don't quote me on those exactly but I think that was roughly about it from memory!

I hope a VIC local can give you more info and choice being that my experience is kind of limited. Such a beautiful part of our country though! I hope you have an amazing time wherever you choose!

I can second Wye River my family has a house and we go there all the time. The beach has life savers on weekends and school holidays, it's in an inlet so more protected and the pub is kid friendly. It's only 2.5 hours from Melbourne and you can go on day trips to explore the area like the otway fly and we did the 12 apostles last time.

Phillip island
Lorne
Apollo bay
Wilson's prom