One of the best best things to photograph in Melbourne, Australia are 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.
Our family had yet to learn where we were going when we arrived in Melbourne. 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 Brighton beach huts was quite an adventure. Walking along the beach next to the bathing boxes, it feels like you’ve returned to the Victorian Era.
In this travel guide, I will take you on a virtual tour 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’s 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. In addition, 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 are above the high water mark so they don’t get water damage. All of the doors and windows on the Brighton Beach Boxes remain shut when not in use.
They stay shut likely for security reasons as well as 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. Those with double doors do not have room for a window.
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
Different colors adorn each box. All the Brighton beach boxes have their own 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. Part of the reason they were moved was due to water 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. They are located 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. Previously, the box was 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.
When you consider 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, all different colors and designs. Some of the colors you can see are blue, yellow, pink, green, and red.
Some have images painted on them such as a wave, a crab, 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 bathing boxes layout on the beach owned by Bayside City Council.
In 2019, removing or relocating the boxes was discussed according to a Draft Marine and Coastal Policy document, which was quickly shut down.
When to 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 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 months. These months are opposite to those of the United States, and would be between October and May in Australia.
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 to which boxes to see first. However, if you want to see box 1 then go in numerical order (box 1, box 2, box 3, box 4, etc.), you’ll want to start on 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 Brighton bathing boxes Australia at? The Brighton boxes Melbourne are located at Dendy Street Beach, which sits on the shores of Port Phillip Bay. From the beach, you can see the city skyline 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 the bathing boxes 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 boxes Melbourne. It’s adorned in 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 in fact it’s called Dendy Street Beech.
Brighton beach boxes 1 through 93
Below is a comprehensive virtual gallery of some of the 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 truly lucky to have such wonderful 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 door.
Several stars matching Australia’s flag are painted in white on the beach box.
Numerous coastal images
Multiple colors abound, as well as shapes. 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 owners imagination.
Brighton bathing boxes, a bucket list destination
The Brighton bathing boxes are a must-visit destination in Melbourne. Not only are they an iconic Melbourne landmark, but they’re also rich in history and offer beautiful views of Port Phillip Bay and the city skyline.
If you get to the beach boxes in Melbourne, I’d encourage you to take photos of each one.
They are all so 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.
