About St. Kilda
St Kilda has long been Melbourne’s seafront playground, a spot for waterfront dining, weekend markets and laid-back beach life. Just 6km from the central business district, it’s a great place for long walks along the foreshore while drinking in sweeping views across Port Phillip. Pub beer gardens are packed during sunny days, and music venues like the Esplanade Hotel (‘The Espy’) and Palais Theatre host international acts. Get out on the water and join the locals windsurfing or sailing across the bay to truly appreciate St Kilda.
Hostels in St Kilda give you the choice between live music and foam parties at on-site bars or quiet alcohol-free retreats. Friendly staff will help you settle into the Australian lifestyle, with job search desks and long-term stays available for travellers looking to put down roots. Free breakfasts are common in a St Kilda hostel , as well as regular events like barbecue nights, trivia and pool competitions. Choose from St Kilda hostels offering modern capsule beds, traditional dorms and private doubles with en-suites and balconies.
St Kilda Beach stretches around 700 metres from the marina to the harbour, with golden sands and a palm tree-lined promenade. Jacka Boulevard runs along the waterfront, connecting with neighbouring areas Middle Park and Elwood. St Kilda’s famed café society is centred around Acland Street, where European migrants moved in the 1950s and opened cake shops. Fitzroy Street is lined with independent pubs with vibrant outdoor gardens, and restaurants serving everything from ramen to gourmet cheese platters.
The St Kilda Sea Baths date from the 19th century and feature a heated seawater pool, a hydrotherapy spa pool and an aromatherapy steam room. The complex also houses restaurants with views across the bay. Next door, the breakwater end of St Kilda Pier is home to a colony of 1,400 penguins that appear at sunset. It's right next to Luna Park, which has been entertaining residents and visitors since 1912. The theme park is known for its iconic gaping smile entrance and having the oldest continually operating rollercoaster in the world.
St Kilda’s foreshore has a wide promenade and dedicated bike lane, ideal for walking or cycling. From the city centre, you can catch a tram to St Kilda in as little as 25 minutes. If you’re arriving into Melbourne Airport (also known as Tullamarine Airport), you can get to St Kilda in about an hour by catching the SkyBus into the city centre and then changing to the tram. For exploring the rest of Melbourne, there's a comprehensive public transport system of trams, trains and buses.