Take a trip to this trendy seaside hangout, home to Melbourne’s favourite beach, a much-loved amusement park, and a street laden with delicious cakes!
Found on Port Phillip Bay, south of Melbourne city centre, the friendly suburb of St Kilda mixes an intimate feel with attractive old-world architecture and style. Lovers of shopping and good food will find plenty here to keep them happy, as will thrill seekers at historic Luna Park.Bring your swimsuit and enjoy the safe and mostly wave-free waters available at the beach. Or take a seaside stroll along St Kilda Pier to the pavilion and kiosk at the end, where budding photographers are offered lovely vantages over the beach and the skyline of Melbourne. If you’re lucky, you might even spot the fairy penguins in their home along the breakwater.The smiling “Mr Moon” above the entrance to Luna Park has been welcoming young and old for generations, since the opening of the park in 1912. The oldest wooden rollercoaster in the world is worth a whirl, along with more modern gravity-defying amusements and the gentle pleasures of the ferris wheel and the merry-go-round.Head over to Acland Street for a range of European-style bakeries, where a wide variety of cakes, pastries, bagels and much more are on sale. The neighbouring streets have a range of small bars, and there are also bohemian independent clothes shops and boutiques. Sunday brings the open-air market to the Esplanade, a wonderful chance to experience the warm atmosphere of this village-like suburb and to pick up a bargain along the way.When it’s time for your evening meal, visit Fitzroy Street, and take your pick between gourmet restaurants, fish-and-chip shops and other eateries, or have a drink in one of the many bars. Top-quality concerts are also regularly held in the Esplanade Hotel, known locally as "The Espy" featuring homegrown talent and bands from further afield.A trip to St Kilda Beach takes 25 minutes by tram from central Melbourne. Plentiful on-street parking is available, as are pay car parks.Be sure to check the weather forecast before your trip, as the area can be subject to strong, cold coastal winds.