Doesn’t the name Bonbeach just conjure up images of sun and sand? Bonbeach, a bayside suburb, sits 31 km south-east of Melbourne’s Central Business District. It is located within the City of Kingston.
Bonbeach’s story is one of transformation. Holidaymakers first settled here in tents. They built shacks along the coast. Slowly, more permanent residents arrived.
Before Bonbeach railway station opened in 1926, the area was remote. The station connected Bonbeach to the city. This spurred growth. The Bonbeach Post Office also mirrored this development. It opened in 1922 but then closed. Reopening in 1926 with the railway station it finally closed in 1985.
From 1906 to the late 1940s, sand was quarried here. It was used to make glass. Australian Glass Manufacturers sold the land in 1948. Residential blocks were built. Bonbeach’s population then spread across the railway line.
The entire coastline of Bonbeach is a sandy beach. It faces Port Phillip Bay. A string of cafes and restaurants line the Nepean Highway.
The Bonbeach Life Saving Club was founded in 1933. It is still running today. The Patterson River forms the southern border of Bonbeach. It is a popular water sports area.
Bonbeach has a school called Bonbeach Primary School. The town also has sports teams. An Australian Rules football team competes. So does a cricket team. Golfers play at the Patterson River Country Club.
In 2021, the population of Bonbeach was 6855. The postcode for Bonbeach is 3196. Bonbeach is part of the Carrum electorate. It is also within the Federal lower house Electorate of Isaacs.
Bonbeach has come a long way. From tents on the beach to a thriving suburb. It has a rich history. Bonbeach continues to evolve. It balances its beachside charm with modern life.