Mornington Peninsula Beach Box Association Inc.

For over 100 years the Mornington Peninsula has been and remains one of Victoria’s favourite recreational destinations. Whether residents or visitors, generations of Greater Melbourne families have enjoyed growing up and holidaying on the Peninsula, thereby contributing to the Municipality’s heritage and cultural development.

The Mornington Peninsula has about 45 km or one sixth of Port Phillip’s coastline. 26 beaches between Mount Eliza and Portsea, as shown on the accompanying map, are home to over 1,300 bathing boxes, boatsheds and similar structures or approximately two thirds of Victoria’s 1,860 total beach boxes. The State Government (Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning) permits occupancy of a beach box on Crown land reserves by delegating the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council and other appointed Foreshore Committees of Management to issue a conditional licence or permit for a statutory (three year) period. The responsible authorities apply revenue raised from beach boxes to maintain and enhance the beach environment for all communities and visitors.

Licensees and permit holders use their beach boxes for shelter and storage of boats, accessories, and equipment associated with boat or beach use. Not surprisingly, when beach boxes are grouped together, families, friends, visitors and other beach users assist social harmony and create a sense of community.

The term ‘beach box’ means bathing box, boatshed or similar structure. Beach boxes have been built by members of the community over the past century, and come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes often reflecting the architectural style of the period in which they were constructed. Individually, each one is unique in its appearance and character; as a group they are a colourful cluster of historical icons. They are part of the Mornington Peninsula’s identity and Victoria’s cultural heritage.

The Mornington Peninsula Beach Box Association, through its predecessor the Mount Martha Boatshed Owners and Users Association, has been established for over 20 years and represents member beach box Licensees on the Mornington Peninsula. The Association and its members share a common purpose ‘to preserve and promote local heritage and culture'.