Dad savagely bashed with tomahawk at random

A father is lucky to be alive after he was attacked with an axe while fishing in Melbourne last night.

Burmese refugee Muang Ngae expected a night out fishing in Beaumaris when he was unexpectedly attacked with a tomahawk.

The 44-year-old was alone at the Yacht Club Pier around midnight when he was approached by an unknown man.

"He said hello, greeted him back turned and continued fishing and was struck from behind," Victoria Police detective David Crowe said.

The father-of-five was hacked multiple times by the offender, suffering injuries to his head, shoulders and chest.

"There appears to be no motive for this attack, which makes it a little bit unusual," Mr Crowe said.

"It's quite random."

Mr Ngae moved to Australia three years ago and doesn't speak English. Police say he would have struggled to call for help.

He amazingly managed to drive himself home to Springvale, where he called authorities.

Mr Ngae was rushed to the Alfred Hospital, where he remains in a stable condition.

The offender has been described as Caucasian in appearance around 20 years old, with a skinny build and was wearing a hoodie.

Investigators are appealing for anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage to come forward

Mr Ngae is expected to make a full recovery.