Brighton Beach

Modern Brighton on Port Phillip Bay is an affluent suburb where large homes command very large prices that are in sharp contrast to the early days of outer Melbourne settlement.

In fact when the British Government's Land and Emigration Commission approved the sale of 2072 hectares of 'special survey' land in 1840, speculators were able to pick up one acre Brighton allotments for the princely sum of $2.

Today, of course, $2 won't even buy you a click on the door of one of those iconic bathing boxes that are Brighton Beach's signature. Those colourfully-painted boxes sitting side by side are a reminder of those days when well-to-do bathers could step straight into the sea without getting sand between their toes.

What with its signature bathing boxes, its views across Port Phillip Bay to the office towers of the Melbourne CBD and safe swimming conditions, Brighton is one of the most popular beaches in the metropolitan area.