One of the best things to photograph in Melbourne, Australia, is the 93 Brighton bathing boxes at Dendy Beach. Before our cruise ship stopped in Melbourne, I saw photos of the Brighton bathing boxes online.
The photos did not do justice to seeing them in person. These small, colorful bathing boxes are stunning and hold historical significance.
Traveling to the Brighton Beach boxes on foot was quite an adventure. We traveled by public transport.
When we arrived in Melbourne, our family had yet to learn where we were going. However, we figured it out by talking to locals and using our online Google itineraries to determine the train schedule.
Getting on the train and walking 15 to 20 minutes to the isolated bathing boxes at Brighton beach huts was quite an adventure. Walking along the beach next to the bathing boxes feels like returning to the Victorian Era.
I will take you on a virtual tour in this travel guide and highlight some noteworthy bathing boxes. Seeing and photographing the Brighton bathing boxes is truly a bucket list adventure!
Are you planning a trip Melbourne last-minute?
If you’re planning a last-minute trip to Melbourne, make sure to book your trip as soon as possible. Here are some suggestions on tours and restaurants.
Best accommodations in Melbourne:
- The Hotel Windsor
- The Cullen Melbourne
- Laneways by Ovolo
Best things to do in Melbourne:
- Royal Botanic Gardens
- Queen Victoria Building Melbourne (if in NSW, visit the Sydney QVB)
- The Lume Melbourne
What are the Brighton Bathing Boxes?
The Brighton beach boxes were originally built as changing huts for bathers in the late 1800s. They acted as both huts for privacy and shelter.
Today, they’re still used for that purpose but are also used by locals and tourists as a place to relax and enjoy the beach. People don’t sleep in them overnight. Instead, they store beach equipment such as umbrellas, towels, clothes, beach balls, and other gear.
Now, they act as shelter and storage for owners as well as a huge tourist attraction for the city of Melbourne.
The materials
Beach box construction includes wooden frames with corrugated iron roofs. None of the beach huts have running water or electricity.
The exterior of the Brighton beach boxes includes lap wooden siding approximately 4.5 inches wide. Some structures are made with plywood, and others with vertical weathered wood.
Most, but not all of the boxes have steps at the front with newer wood.
The doors and windows
Each offers a direct sea view and is above the high water mark, so it doesn’t get water damage. All of the doors and windows on the Brighton Beach Boxes remain shut when not in use.
They likely stay shut for security reasons and to keep the rain and debris out.
Most of the units have large wood grates or vents above their door. The doors of each unit adorn the front of the structure, often with a window to the right.
Those beach boxes with single doors have room for a window on the front, while those with double doors do not.
Each window props open with a latch. The window opens upwards and the latch keeps the window ajar. These windows and doors remain open to allow ventilation during Melbourne’s warm summer months.
The window and doors appear to have stainless steel hinges and pad locks.
The paint on Brighton Bathing Boxes
Each box is adorned with different colors. All the Brighton beach boxes have a unique design and brightly colored scheme. However, there are some rules when it comes to painting them.
Before painting a box, you must submit a detailed proposal to the local council for approval. The proposal should include the design, color scheme, and materials you plan to use.
The color scheme must be in keeping with the surrounding area, and you’re not allowed to use advertising or commercial colors. To submit a paint color scheme, owners must contact the Brighton Bathing Box Association.
Note: There are few restrictions. The main rules being no corporate colors and no advertising.
Historical significance of the Brighton beach boxes
The bathing boxes were built in the 1860s along the Brighton coastline. Their purpose was so swimmers could have somewhere to change without doing it in front of others.
In 1934, Brighton Bathing boxes were relocated to Dendy Street Beach from other beaches. They were moved partly because water was getting into the boxes from being too close to the ocean.
At Dendy Street, the boxes were moved above the high water mark to help prevent water issues. In 2009, the City of Bayside built nine additional huts to raise money during the Global Financial Crisis.
Where are the Brighton beach boxes?
The Brighton bathing boxes are located at Dendy Street Beach in Brighton, Victoria, Australia, in the City of Bayside.
They’re easily accessible by train, tram, or car. If you’re coming from the CBD, take the train to Middle Brighton Station, and from there, it’s a 10-minute walk to visit the beach.
Address
Esplanade, Brighton VIC 3186, Australia
Map
How do you get there from Melbourne CBD?
It’s easy to get to the Brighton bathing boxes from Melbourne CBD. You can ride the train from Flinders Street Station to Middle Brighton Station and then walk for about 10 minutes to the beach.
Alternatively, you can take the tram from the CBD to the beach.
Why do Brighton beach boxes cost so much?
If you want to own a Brighton Beach Box, be prepared to spend a hefty sum. They’re considered luxury items, and the prices can range from $200,000 to $350,000 depending on their location and size.
More recently, a Brighton Bathing Box buyer paid $340,000 for Box 15, which had been in the same family for over 50 years.
Before that, Box 76B sold for $337,000. Since there are only 93 boxes in existence, prices will likely continue to climb for those who want to store their belongings so close to the beach.
So why do they cost so much? Much of it is due to high demand and low supply. The boxes are located next to Melbourne, population over 5 million making private real estate on a beach high demand.
Considering such a high population, $350,000 for your private beach hut might seem like a deal to some.
How many Brighton beach boxes are there?
There are 93 Brighton beach boxes in different colors and designs. Some of the colors are blue, yellow, pink, green, and red.
Some have images painted on them, such as a wave, a crab, or a bird, and one of the most popular ones is an Aussie flag (Box 2). The bathing boxes are proportionate in size and scale.
They are also in alignment both vertically and horizontally. The Planning Scheme Heritage Overlay was used in the layout of the bathing boxes on the beach, which Bayside City Council owns.
In 2019, removing or relocating the boxes was discussed according to a Draft Marine and Coastal Policy document, which was quickly shut down.
When should you go to the Brighton bathing boxes?
Apart from taking photos and basking in the sun, there are plenty of things to do when you visit the brighton bathing boxes. There are cafes and restaurants near the Brighton Beach bathing boxes in Melbourne where you can get a bite to eat and go swimming, sunbathing, or kayaking.
The best time to go is during the summer and spring. These months are opposite those of the United States, and in Australia, they are between October and May.
If you’re up for an adventure, head down to the Mornington Peninsula, check out the Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservatory, or enjoy views of the Nobbies and Seal Rocks.
Food and drink near Brighton bathing boxes:
- Brighton Jetty Cafe
- Brighton Savoy
- Seaview Restaurant
- Royal Brighton Yacht Club’s Olympic Bar & Restaurant
Read other travel tips and guides
Brighton beach box tips
How to view the beach boxes?
There’s no hard and fast rule about which boxes to see first. However, if you want to see box 1 first and then go in numerical order (box 1, box 2, box 3, box 4, etc.), you’ll want to start at the most northern end of Dendy Street Beach.
How do you get to box 1 to start your tour?
As mentioned above, head north along Dendy Street Beach. Or, as you approach the beach from the boardwalk and street, hang a right.
What to bring
- Water (you’ll be walking a lot)
- Camera
- Swimming suit and towel if you’re going to hang out at the beach
- Food
Brighton beach boxes: FAQ
- What ocean and bay are the Brighton bathing boxes in Australia? The Brighton boxes Melbourne are located at Dendy Street Beach, which sits on the shores of Port Phillip Bay. You can see the city skyline from the beach and enjoy the bay’s calm waters.
- Can you sleep in a Brighton beach bath boxes? No. Local guidelines set by the Brighton Bathing Box Association make it illegal to sleep in the beach huts overnight.
- Can the Brighton bathing boxes be rented? No, they cannot since they are privately owned.
- What is the most photographed Brighton bathing box? Box 2, the Australian Flag beach box, is the most popular and most photographed Brighton beach box in Melbourne. It’s adorned with blue and red stripes and white stars.
- How many Brighton boxes are there in 2024? 93 Brighton beach boxes’
- Are the Brighton beach boxes on Brighton beach? Sort of. The beach huts are technically on a beach IN Brighton, but they sit on Dendy Street Beach. You’ll hear some people call this Bright beach which it’s called Dendy Street Beech.
Brighton beach boxes 1 through 93
Below is a comprehensive virtual gallery of Brighton beach boxes 1 through 93. Our family chose the most colorful beach boxes to display, although each one is unique and special.
The owners are fortunate to have such excellent historical structures.
Colorful beach boxes: Blues, yellows, reds, pinks, greens and whites…
Note: Box number 2 is the most famous and photographed Brighton beach house. It depicts the Australian flag with its dark blue base and ornate red and white design.
Several stars matching Australia’s flag are painted white on the beach box.
Numerous coastal images
Multiple colors and shapes abound. From crabs to birds, an Aussie flag, ocean waves, a VW van, and many other images, the Brighton beach boxes are only limited by the owner’s imagination.
Brighton bathing boxes, a bucket list destination
The Brighton bathing boxes are a must-visit destination in Melbourne. They are an iconic landmark, rich in history, and offer beautiful views of Port Phillip Bay and the city skyline.
If you visit the beach boxes in Melbourne, I encourage you to take photos of each one.
They are all unique and you’ll look back at your photos with a smile. Their warm colors do the soul good.
Have you been to the Brighton bathing boxes? Are there any details we missed?
Whether you’re a beach lover or just looking for a great photo opportunity, the iconic Brighton Beach Boxes are a fantastic place to visit. So, the next time you’re in Melbourne, add the Brighton Bathing Boxes to your bucket-list itinerary.