St Kilda is a favorite inner bayside suburb which is a favorite for visitors to Melbourne and should be high on the list of anyone visiting beautiful Melbourne. The suburb is rich in culture, style and even things a bit quirky. There’s plenty to do and some fantastic places to shop or wine and dine.
In the early 1900’s St Kilda was one of the most fashionable suburbs, with exotic mansions, hotels and guest houses being built. After World War 2 St Kilda was known for its seedy side with crime, prostitution and drugs. but more recently with the increase in housing prices and the want to live close to the city St Kilda has bounced back to being one of Melbourne’s most fashionable suburbs again. Today St Kilda offers a cosmopolitan lifestyle right on the bay, but still retains some of the charm of yesterday with some beautiful architecture and some treasures like the Palais Theatre, Luna Park and plenty of parks and gardens.
St Kilda is alive with development with apartments, new cafes, restaurants and a new exciting image. It is a mecca for tourists and Melbournians alike and only 10 – 15 minutes from the city.
People flock to St Kilda for great cafes, bars or just people watching. Acland Street to is home to some of Melbourne’s best cake shops and many great cafes and restaurants. The strip has a range of great boutiques and specialty shops and there a great atmosphere with usual buskers and some interesting characters.
Luna Park is a must, it is a old seaside amusement park with 100 years of heritage and has entertained millions of people. It has one of he worlds oldest wooden roller coasters called the scenic railway which circles the park offering amazing views of the St Kilda foreshore and the park itself. The park is also home to a historic carousel, spooky ghost train and a wide array of historic and cutting edge rides. Next door to Luna Park is the Palais Theatre one of Melbourne’s premier entertainment venues. This beautiful art deco theatre was built in 1914 and has hosted some of the biggest names in entertainment over the decades including the biggest names in music. Over the past few years names like Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, John Farnham, Kiss, Brian Adams and Duran Duran.
Sunday St Kilda is home to one of the best art and craft markets in Australia. It attracts thousands looking for that something different. The market is huge and has sculptures, paintings, photography, pottery, jewelry you name it and stretches the esplanade above the Palais Theatre and runs all year.
Summer time the beach comes alive with just as many people enjoying the sights as those enjoying the sun. Thousands flock to the sand to sun bake, swim, see or especially be seen showing off their latest swim wear and bronzed toned body they have worked so hard for.
Fitzroy Street running from the bay to St Kilda Junction was one home to many of the seedier attractions in St Kilda but today it is home to dozens of restaurants including some of Melbourne’s best. There is plenty of al-fresco dining and quiet a few great bars and nightspots. Day or night there are people sitting out under the wide verandas enjoying life over a meal or a drink or two.