Named after a famous local shipwreck, the main township of Rosebud sits on the Port Phillip coast between the smaller towns of McCrae to the east, and Capel Sound and Tootgarook towards Rye and Sorrento in the west. Rosebud is the quintessential seaside village with a stretch of retail about 2km long, a shopping centre at either end and the beach right over the road. The focal point is Rosebud Pier which extends about 300 metres into the water and is a prime fishing spot.

Safe swimming can be had at picturesque white sandy beaches along its stretch of sandy bay coastline. The coastal strip is known as the foreshore and is filled with mature Coastal Banksia trees and offers camping during the warmer months. Rosebud is best known for the campground on the foreshore that has been a holiday favourite for generations of families. The foreshore forms part of the 28km Bay Trail for walkers and cyclists that runs from Safety Beach to Portsea. While there’s a big focus on the sea at Rosebud, there’s lots more to see and do. In March, there’s a huge kite festival. As well as several golf courses within Rosebud itself, more can be found a short drive inland at Fingal and Boneo. A short distance away is the ecologically important 300+ hectare Tootgarook Wetland. It is the largest example left of a shallow freshwater marsh in the Port Phillip region and supports many rare and endangered species of flora and fauna.

Rosebud is approximately a 1 hour and 15-minute drive (90 kilometres) south of Melbourne.