8 Best Things To Do In St Kilda, Australia

1. St Kilda Beach

This beach is Melbourne’s most popular beach and runs 700 meters (2,297 feet) long between St Kilda Marina and St Kilda Harbour. In the summer the atmosphere is vibrant, and in winter brisk walking along the beach can cheer up the dullest of days, and you can see the sunsets all the year round. Whether you want to be above or under the water, St Kilda has everything to offer from swimming or sunbathing, engaging in rollerblading, cycling, or windsurfing to jet skiing, kitesurfing, standup paddle boarding, skydiving, or beach volleyball. A large number of sporting tournaments and cultural events are staged on the beach or on the parklands adjoining the beach. During the summer, the foreshore is a hive of activity, making the waters a playground. This beach comes alive throughout the St Kilda festival held in March every year, with extreme games, street vendors, food street performers, arts, entertainment, music and sports. Besides that, the esplanade is a great place to walk. There is also a long pier to enjoy a romantic and panoramic view of Port Philip Bay.

St Kilda Beach

Address: Jacka Boulevard | West St Kilda, St Kilda, Port Phillip, Victoria 3182, Australia

Access: By tram or by car

2. The Esplanade Market

The Sunday market is an institution since 1970 and offers something for everyone. Every Sunday, the Esplanade Market is the destination for those searching for something special, somewhere special. Visitors get the chance to browse through works of 200 artists and craftsmen in Melbourne’s open market by the sea. This market was established as an outlet for local artists, where they display their work to the public. Each stall holder has a hand in making the products being sold. From original paintings, hats, clothing, and candles, to fine pieces of jewelry and even olive oil, you will leave knowing that you will take home something that is truly one of a kind. The market remains a favorite destination for locals and tourists, who appreciate the diverse and unique range of quality handmade artworks made from wood, glass, paper, resin, recycled materials and so much more.

The Esplanade Market

Opening Hours: Sunday (10 am - 5 pm). Closed on other days

Access: By tram

Website: The Esplanade Market

3. St Kilda Pier

The pier provides panoramic views of Melbourne’s skyline and Port Philip Bay. This pier is popular on the weekenders for strolling, cycling, and rollerblading or even enjoying a snack at The Little Blue Restaurant, also called St Kilda Pier Kiosk. You can even spot some penguins or water rats from the water. The historic St Kilda Pier Kiosk offers guests a wide range of sit down or take away sandwiches, desserts, and little bites coupled with award winning Genovese coffee. The St Kilda Pier history dates back to 1853, when it was constructed as a wooden jetty to assist early settlers in unloading timber and building materials. As for the kiosk, it was built in 1904 and has undergone renovation over time. It was destroyed in a fire in 2003, but was restored and is fully operational. This site has quickly become a staple destination offering families access to The Little Blue Restaurant and a space to watch penguins in their natural habitats with romantic views of Port Philip Bay. The site is listed on Victorian Heritage and provides an unforgettable experience to visitors right in the heart of Melbourne.

St Kilda Pier

Address: Melbourne, Victoria 3182, Australia

Website: St Kilda Pier

4. Alma Park

Alma Park is bordered by Alma Road, Westbury Street and Dandenong Road in St Kilda east. The park is divided into east and west sections by a train line. Alma Park has a unique collection of features, such as the playground divided into two play areas - one for the junior kids and another gazette for the older kids. Apart from that, the place is ideal for families to have a BBQ or a picnic. The junior playground features two stony castles with slides, speaker tubes and a crow tunnel, and a collection of handicraft animals like wombats, kangaroos, and others. The senior play area has a range of equipment designed to encourage active climbing such as climbing stairs, a flying fox, a tree house featuring tree slides and a scramble net. Head up the hill towards the bathrooms, and you will find a castle that is easy to climb and home to some creatures. But what really captures your eyes at Alma Park is the glittery structure at the top of the play space; a massive pair of eyes with fabulous lashes and a mouth, on an imaginary monster called the slug. You will find kids flock to this spot so they can climb down and around this beautiful creature.

Alma Park

Address: Dandenong Road, St Kilda, Port Phillip, Victoria, Australia

Access: By car, tram or train

Website: Alma Park

5. Acland Street

Acland Street enjoys great popularity as a recreational area due to its many eateries. It is famous for its cafes, bars, restaurants, cake shops and many entertainment outlets. You can easily take a tram from Melbourne Central Business Centre right to the street. Acland Street has an amazing atmosphere and is always busy. The hustle and bustle adds to its character, but it is not the place to go if you are watching your waistline. This street is famous for its Jewish pastries and cake shops selling a variety of pastries, cookies, baklavas, and other delicious snacks. A visit to Acland Street is not complete without tasting or at least gazing through the windows of one of the many famous shops lining the street like Monarch Cakes and Europa cake shop. Today Acland Street has many restaurants offering a variety of cuisines including Vietnamese, Indian, Italian and Malaysian.

Acland Street

Address: Acland Street, St Kilda, Port Phillip, Victoria 3182, Australia

Website: Acland Street

6. Catani Garden

The Catani heritage listed garden is named after an Italian-born designer, Carlo Catani, a prominent landscape designer. It is located between Jacka Boulevard, Bousfield Parade and Pier Road in St Kilda. The historic Canary Island palm trees line the walking paths and visually define the gardens. The park has all the facilities you need for a perfect summer barbecue. Events are common in the garden and pony rides are popular with families during the weekends. It also has a few historical sites scattered around, such as the sculpture of Captain James Cook and a drinking water fountain known as Sali Cleve. The park has a running track and a great gazebo in the centre, ideal for a picnic. The playground’s elements include swings sets, a see-saw, rocker, rotating carousel, a pirate ship, rock climbing and much more. To get here you can take tram 39, 16 or 96 along Fitzroy Street and The Esplanade.

Catani Garden

Address: Jacka Blvd | move map marker 1km North North West to Catani Gardens, St Kilda, Port Phillip, Victoria 3182, Australia

Website: Catani Garden

7. St Kilda Botanical Gardens

This historic botanical garden is a magnificent 19th-century garden in the historic southeast of St Kilda. Since 1859, the garden have evolved to include extensive flower beds, lush exotic forests, a rose garden, a conservatory and a range of Australian plant species. If you stroll along the garden you will be amazed by the gorgeous collection of seasonal flowers and indigenous plants. You can check the ornamental pond, explore the glasshouses and discover new concepts at the Eco Centre. The pretty park is also home to the Alister Clarke Memorial Rose Garden, where specially bred roses bloom between spring and autumn. Transport yourself to another land beneath the leafy canopy of the sub-Tropical Rainforest Conservatory to see the flowers bloom from Australia and beyond. You can even see the native wildflowers blooming in late winter and colorful European species coming to life in spring. The botanical gardens open daily between sunrise and sunset. Two tram lines pass the gardens and the closest train station is Balaclava. Free parking is available in the garden’s vicinity.

St Kilda Botanical Gardens

Website: St Kilda Botanical Gardens

8. Luna Park

Melbourne‘s Luna Park is a historic amusement park, located on the foreshore in St Kilda, and occupies a very special place in the city’s history. Luna Park offers a range of attractions from mini roller coasters, such as the Silly Serpent, to nail-biting thrill rides such as the Pharaoh’s Curse and Power Surge. There are many fun-filled adventures, with a generous mixed of heritage listed attractions and brand new thrills to satisfy all thrill seekers. The most famous of the park’s attractions is its Scenic Railway Roller Coaster, a large wooden coaster that projects its passenger at high speed. It boasts of being the oldest operating coaster in the whole and only one of its kind. Luna Park Carousel is the largest and most elaborate one in the Southern Hemisphere. To reach Luna Park, take the tram from central Melbourne (two services stop directly outside) or come by car and take advantage of nearby street parking. The park is open on weekends, school holidays and public holidays. Entrance to the park is free, but rides and shows are subject to charge. An unlimited day pass is a convenient way to make sure you don’t miss out on anything. Snacks can be bought inside the park, or you can bring your own food.

Luna Park

Website: Luna Park

Appealing weekend escape

St Kilda is Melbourne’s seaside playground and it is renowned for its expansive view of Port Philip Bay, its palm lined boardwalk, huge range of beach activities, gorgeous sunsets, parks and gardens, great eateries, fabulous old buildings and its colorful past and present. There is something for absolutely everyone in St Kilda.