Before we found Melbourne Beaches we stopped for a short while at Cocoa Beach near the Pier but the cost for parking the car was excessive and we think Cocoa Pier has seen better days.

We headed south towards Melbourne and came across the North and South Beaches of Melbourne. Both of these are maintained by the Public Authorities and volunteers.

North beach has a small refreshment place to get a drink or that much needed burger. The advantage is that there was no charges for parking.

As you make your way on to the clear beach there are warnings about the rip tides but here there are lifeguards on this part of the beach. It was good to lay there on the beach and listen to the waves crashing towards us. Once you got hot you could retreat to the covered areas where there were tables and benches and even barbecues for you to eat your snacks. Although you could not see the beach or sea from here.

We moved on to South Beach and whilst it was much the same with the crashing waves and fairly isolated beach you could sit out of the sun under the covered areas. Again there were the resident lifeguards on hand if you decided to venture out for a swim.

Having had enough sun for the day in the early afternoon we made our way back towards Melbourne City pass North Beach to Bikini Beach. Here there was the Sand Restaurant and Bikini Bar where they served great food and drink. From the Bkini Bar we looked out to the beach sipping our Bud light whilst watching the guys and girls having a go at some surfing on the waves.

All in all a great day out at Melbourne. But do bear in mind it is a good hours drive from Kissimmee.

Our aim was to head for Vero Beach and then head off up the coast to Melbourne. so we headed along Highway 60 for the coast. For those of you that like a long straight road in cruise control then you will not be disappointed.

It took us about one and half hours from Haines City before with reached the east coast and Vero Beach.

So we parked the car and headed for the beach where we stumbled across the Driftwood Resort right on the Talnatic coast.

This was a hotel made from Driftwood. so we sat there at the bar looking out at the blue whilst supping and beer and a cocktail. I would recommend eating there and making an afternoon of it.

A very clean and pleasant place to visit.