The southeast of Melbourne is a eclectic mix of multicultural suburbs offering flavourful Asian and European foods and quaint seaside towns in which to relax.

Understand

Black Rock, a well-off bayside suburb, boasts many popular beaches, but is most notable as the home of Royal Melbourne Golf Club, whose West Course is consistently rated the best in Australia and one of the top 5 to 10 worldwide.

Brighton is a popular beach suburb amongst both Melburnians and tourists alike. During the Summer, finding somewhere to lay down your towel on the beach can be a difficult task, as thousands flock the suburb on hot days. In addition, Brighton Beach is known for its famous, brightly-coloured bathing boxes which line the beach for hundreds of metres.

Caulfield is the location of Monash University and the Caulfield Racecourse.

Cranbourne is a booming growth area, and the site of Melbourne's other Royal Botanic Gardens.

Dandenong is a thriving multicultural city, often considered Melbourne's second CBD. It is home to strong Afghan, Indian and African communities, which are reflected in its variety of shops and restaurants.

Pakenham is another fast-growing suburb, and a gateway to the nearby Gippsland region.

Springvale is a multicultural suburb renowned for its Vietnamese culture.

Get in

By bus

• 901 bus from Melbourne airport connects with Dandenong.

By train

• Cranbourne line, Pakenham line, and Frankston line from Melbourne.

See

• 1 Brighton Beach and Bathing Boxes. One of Melbourne's favoured beaches, be sure to check out the infamous 'bathing boxes', brightly coloured boxes that are dotted along the sand. (updated Nov 2015)
• 2 Jewish Holocaust Centre. (updated Nov 2015)
• 3 Monash University Museum of Art. Monash University is one of the major tertiary institutions in Melbourne. (updated Nov 2015)
• 4 Rippon Lea Estate. A heritage-listed historic house and gardens. (updated Nov 2015)
• 5 Old Cheese Factory, 34-68 Homestead Rd, Berwick. (updated Nov 2015)
• 6 Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne, Cnr Ballarto Road and Botanic Drive, Cranbourne (Enter via cnr Ballarto Road and Botanic Drive, Cranbourne), ☏ +61 3 5990-2200. 9AM-5PM, daily. Closed on Christmas Day.. (updated Nov 2015)
• 7 Drum Theatre (The Drum), Corner Lonsdale and Walker streets, Dandenong, ☏ +61 3 8571 1666, drumtheatre@cgd.vic.gov.au. 10am - 4pm, Monday - Friday. Opened in February 2006, Drum Theatre is a state-of-the-art, purpose built performing arts theatre within the heritage facade of the former Dandenong Town Hall, and situated in the heart of the Dandenong CBD. (updated Apr 2018)
• 8 Myuna Farm, 182 Kidds Rd, Doveton (Travel east along Clow St, a 1.4km walk from Dandenong Plaza.), ☏ +61 3 9706 9944. 10am to 4pm, everyday of the year. $8 each, Group of four $28. 
• 9 Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park, 550 Tyabb-Tooradin Rd, Pearcedale, ☏ +61 3 59787935, bookings@moonlit-sanctuary.com. 10AM-5PM (Night tours are available and must be booked in advance). Eco-tourism zoo with rare and endangered Australia animals such as koala, kangaroo, wallaby, dingo, Tasmanian devil, wombat and birds. Koala petting is available at additional cost. Adults $26; Child $13; Seniors and students $23. (updated Jun 2020)

Do

• 1 Lysterfield Park (Lysterfield Lake), Horswood Road, Lysterfield. Sunrise to sunset. Mountain Bike Trails including the State Mountain Bike course offers 20 kilometres of trails catering for riders of all ages and ability. The lake is very popular for canoeing, sailing, paddle boating and surf skiing. There are also a number of walking tracks including three trails that are linked for a brisk two-hour walk around the lake. Free. (updated Apr 2018)
• 2 Caulfield Racecourse. Site of dozens of horse-racing events throughout the year. (updated Nov 2015)

Buy

Markets

• 1 Dandenong Market, 40 Cleeland Street, Dandenong VIC 3175, ☏ +61 3 9701 3850, info@dandenongmarket.com.au. Open every Sunday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. Founded in 1866, Dandenong Market is Melbourne’s second oldest and second largest market. Fruit and veggie, bakeries, delis, seafood, butchers, honey, nuts, clothing, jewellery, flowers and books. (updated Apr 2018)

Shopping malls

• 2 Fountain Gate shopping centre. 

Individual shops

• 3 Robert Gordon Pottery. (updated Nov 2015)

Go next

• Dandenong Ranges
• Frankston - Take the 901 bus.
• Phillip Island - Take the bus.
• Melbourne - By Train.
• Melbourne Airport - 901 Bus or Airport Shuttle - a much faster more expensive option than the 901 bus.
• Mornington Peninsula