The Bathing Boxes At Aspendale And Edithvale

The Bathing Boxes At Aspendale And Edithvale

         From the train station, I crossed the highway and took a narrow street leading to Aspendale Beach. I was looking for a reserve or park but could not find one. Vacation houses occupy the elevated portion of the foreshore. There was one structure on the beach that caught my attention. It was the Aspendale Life Saving Club with several youngsters manning it.

The railroad crossing at Aspendale

The train station at Aspendale. Aspendale is a suburb of Greater Melbourne.

Arriving at Aspendale Train Station without hassle.

The road leading to Aspendale Beach

Vintage Holden parked near the foreshore

         Aspendale Beach is a quiet beach south of Melbourne. It has fine, soft sands that soothe the reflexes when one walks barefoot. At Aspendale, there is that natural beach setting as there are no frills and distractions. Beach goers can take a boat ride or stroll for a few kilometers. The water is usually cold but it is warm during the summer months.

Fine sands at Aspendale Beach

Man testing his inflatable boat.

Looking in the direction of the Mornington Peninsula

Clear waters of Aspendale

Enjoying their free time at Aspendale

Standing on paddle boards

Lifesaving Club of Aspendale

Complete equipment and gears

        Noticeable are the colorful bathing boxes erected near the sand dunes. They are painted in bright colors with the frames or edges in light colors. Bathing boxes can be seen in most beaches in the southern part of Port Phillip Bay. Bathing boxes are used for changing clothes or for storing personal items. They are privately owned or leased by the village council. Price of one bathing box can go as high as $200,000. Plus an annual fee of $600. Owners or lessees have to be rate payers of the locality. Bathing boxes are tourist attractions.

Cluster of bathing boxes at Aspendale Beach

Bathing boxes are used to change clothes or keep personal items.

Bathing boxes are erected near sand dunes.

The price of one bathing box can go as high as $200,000.

Bathing boxes date back to the 1800s.

The bathing boxes are tourist attractions.

The village council has jurisdiction over bathing boxes erected along the foreshores of Port Phillip Bay.

         The sun was shining bright. I looked at my watch. I reckoned that there was extra time to visit more places south of the Franskston Line. I took out my map and browsed over it. Edithvale seemed to be an interesting place to visit. In a few minutes, I was back at the train station for my extended trip farther south. Then I heard the rambling sound of the approaching blue and grey train.

- Konted

The reserve at Edithvale.

Edithvale and Aspendale are neighboring villages.

Inviting waters of Edithvale

Two young kids wade in the clean, clear waters of Edithvale Beach with their father and a Black Labrador watching.

Basking in the sun

The Lifesaving Club of Edithvale with a cafe at the ground floor.

Refreshments served here.

More colorful bathing boxes at Edithvale Beach.

Owners of Bathing Boxes have to be rate payers of the locality.

Walking her dogs along the foreshore of Aspendale Beach on a clear morning.

Bathing boxes measure only a few square meters.

Bathing boxes started in the 19th century when it was considered inappropriate to change clothes in public using a towel as cover.

There are more bathing boxes as you go farther south.

Bathing boxes have attractive colors and built amidst coastal grass.

The boy who helped me take pictures.

Aside from the high acquisition price, owners have to pay an annual site fee.

Edithvale Train Station

Traveling back to the city proper on board a Metro train

Arriving at Melbourne Central Station

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