St Kilda

Overview

St Kilda is Melbourne's famous seaside neighbourhood, a cosmopolitan blend of beach life, café culture, backpacker energy, and nightlife. Its iconic foreshore, pier, and palm-lined esplanade draw visitors year-round.

Highlights

• St Kilda Pier: Walk to the end of the historic pier at dusk to see the colony of little penguins returning to their burrows in the breakwater.
• Luna Park: The grinning face entrance of this heritage amusement park has been a St Kilda icon since 1912.
• Acland Street: A strip of cake shops, cafes, and restaurants with a European feel, famous for its continental patisseries.

History

St Kilda was established as a fashionable seaside resort in the 1860s. Throughout the 20th century it cycled through periods of grandeur and seediness, becoming a bohemian and counterculture hub. Gentrification since the 2000s has revitalised it while preserving its eclectic character.

Visitor Tips

• Penguin Viewing: Free to see the penguins at the breakwater; they emerge about 30 minutes after sunset.
• Sunday Market: The St Kilda Esplanade Market (every Sunday) sells local art, crafts, and handmade goods.
• Duration: 2–3 hours.