Beaumaris local, Fi McUtchen is one busy lady and one helluva renaissance woman, juggling a full-time career, a young family, a side hustle in painting and the soon-to-launch Ambitious Parent website. And you thought YOU were busy...

For Fi and her family, Beauie is the perfect 'win win' combination of nature, coastal vibes and family-friendly surrounds. Here, Fi lets us in on the neighbourhood's best local spots for eating, drinking and playing...

How long have you lived in Beaumaris? 

Coming up to 2 years. 

Why do you love it? What made you want to settle here? 

My husband always wanted to be close to the water and I wanted the hills. One weekend we would be at an auction in Warrandyte and then next, in Parkdale. Beaumaris ended up being the perfect combination because it feels like the hills, with all the native vegetation, and at the beach. So it was a bit of a ‘win win’ for us.

Describe your Beaumaris weekend routine. 

At the moment, we have 3 kids under 4 so we don’t get to explore as much as we would like to. We will typically start at The Parlour on Weatherall Rd which does the best almond milk latte in Melbourne (thanks Kevin!) and then head to Ricketts Point for a little paddle with the kids, or one of the large parks with Baxter our dog. 

In the evening if we score a date night we will head to Beau on Beach Rd for an Aperol Spritz and Batemans Bay Oysters, and maybe a movie at Brighton Palace. If we have the kids we will go for an early dinner at the new Beauy Sports Club at Banksia Reserve which is on our street - brand new facility, reasonably priced food pub style, and lots of kids running around on the oval in close sight. 

We also just love walking around the streets here - it’s so eclectic - old beach shacks, huge architect-designed concrete luxury dwellings, and some pretty awesome modernist houses (my favourite is in Bellaire Court off Cromer Rd) - it’s an endless journey of discovery in this suburb, lots of hidden gems and courts. When it's a beautiful sunset, I’ll drive to the original old dirt road up on the cliff overlooking Ricketts Point and imagine I live in one of the amazing houses on the cliff with the bay right there in their front garden. House envy.

Best of Beaumaris

Coffee: I hesitate to say The Parlour because it's already too busy! But it is the best...
Breakfast spot: Eee maybe some bias, but also the Parlour.
Date night: Beau.
Local: Beaumaris Motor Yacht Squadron (BMYS). It has bay views and a real fire in winter...hubby and I go to watch the odd football game and have a glass of wine.
Big night: Haha - as if.
Late night food: Not so much in this area unfortunately.
Grocery store or providore: I love The Merchant for fresh fruit and vege - giant avos and freshest salad leaves.
Boutique: Midas & Min has gorgeous accessories and some pretty funky clothes and shoes (I have a slight Rollie addiction).
Recreational activity: Walking and exploring the neighbourhood, and the golf courses.
Must see/do: There is a hidden cove around the rocks near Ricketts Point—you can’t get there without walking over the rocks but once you do, it's like a scene from Blue Lagoon.

Image: Steven Edmonds

Image: Beau Kitchen & Cellar

Image: Alpha

Image: Beaumaris Sports Club