Beach and Water Safety

Summer in Victoria is great for swimming and enjoying the beach!

The beaches, rivers, and lakes in Victoria are unique, and can be very different to the water you have experienced at home or in other countries.

Before you dive into Victoria’s stunning beaches and waterways this summer, it’s important to keep the following safety tips in mind:

  1. Swim between the red and yellow flags at a patrolled beach, where lifeguards can help you. You can find patrolled beaches on the Beachsafe App.
  2. Always swim and visit the water with friends.
  3. Check and follow safety signs before you enter the water.
  4. Check the weather before you go to the water – conditions change quickly when the weather changes.
  5. Never mix alcohol and swimming.
  6. Learn about rip currents – the biggest danger at Victorian beaches.

To keep yourself and your friends safe, download the free Beachsafe App and use this to check the beach danger rating and local conditions before you visit a beach.

How to Spot a Rip

Rips are complex, can quickly change shape and location, and at times, are difficult to see. The things to look for are deeper, dark-coloured water; fewer breaking waves; a rippled surface surrounded by smooth waters; and anything floating out to sea or foamy, discoloured, sandy, water flowing out beyond the waves. Rips don’t always show all of these signs at once.

How to Survive a Rip Current

If you find yourself in a rip current, stay calm and consider your options. Raise an arm to seek help. Try floating with the current, it may bring you back to shore. Swim parallel to the shore or towards breaking waves and use them to help you in. Reassess your situation. If what you’re doing isn’t working, try one of the other options until you’re rescued or return to shore.

Stay informed about bush fire risk this summer

It is very important during the fire season to stay informed.

Watch this video to understand the bush fire danger rating. During the summer make sure you check the danger rating every day for where you are or where to plan to travel.

This beach safety video gives you some great tips for how to stay safe at the beach. See more videos like this on the Surf Life Saving Australia YouTube channel.

Vic Emergency is the official Victorian Government website for emergency warnings and information. This is the best and most up-to-date resource for incidents, warnings and other weather and fire-related information.  You can download the VicEmergency app (AppStore and Google Play) and set your location to receive notifications and warnings.

Fire risk is most extreme if you live around or near forest or woodland. The Country Fire Authority (CFA) has a wealth of resources to help you understand your fire risk and know what to do before and during a fire. One of the best ways to start planning is to look at where you live.

Victoria Police

Victoria Police provide a 24-hour police service. There are 339 police stations and other facilities in Melbourne.

Police often patrol city streets on foot or in Police cars to help protect you.

If you want to talk to the police about an incident which is not life threatening or an emergency, phone your local police station.

In an emergency, dial 000

To find out more about what to expect when you dial 000 see our page What to do in an emergency.

Travel safety

The Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development has some tips for how to make the most out of holidays in Australia.

Visit the Travel Safely in Australia page on the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development website.

Safety on the road

Your safety on the road is very important. Make sure you understand our road rules if you are driving, cycling, or working in jobs such as food delivery.

Safety Messages for drivers and cyclists are available in nine different languages on the VicRoads website.

These pages provide road rule reminders and advice on the following topics:

  • Giving way when turning right and to pedestrians
  • Watch out for bicycle riders when opening your car door
  • Stopping at tram stops
  • Hook turns
  • Spaces for riding bikes
  • Riding a bike at night
  • Who can cycle on a footpath
  • Sharing the road with trucks

To learn more about our road rules, we encourage you to read the A-Z of Road Rules.

For more information about sharing the road please refer to the following pages:

For further information please email RoadSafetyVictoria@roads.vic.gov.au