Melbourne/St Kilda

St Kilda is a vibrant beachside suburb of Port Phillip, in south-eastern inner Melbourne, Australia. St. Kilda is famous for its beach life and the bar and restaurant scene along Fitzroy Street.

It used to be seedy and run down, but there has been a revival in the 21st century as young professionals and travellers have increased in numbers.

Get in
St Kilda can be reached from the City Centre by public transport; a map of St Kilda and the surrounding area's public transport network is available on the PTV website.

By tram
The best way to reach St Kilda from the city centre is by tram. The journey takes approximately 25 minutes.


 * Route 96 from along Bourke Street or Southern Cross Station (towards St Kilda Beach) - the fastest of the three, it functions as a light rail travelling along the former railway, taking about 20 minutes with a 6-10 minute frequency. It operates exclusively with high-capacity, low-floor trams but can be very crowded. Within St Kilda, it travels along Fitzroy Street, the Esplanade and terminates at Acland Street.
 * Route 16 (also 3a on weekends) from along Swanston Street or Flinders Street Station (towards Kew) - passes along Fitzroy Street, the Esplanade and Carlisle Street. It then travels into the neighbouring suburbs of Balaclava and St Kilda East, before heading onwards to Kew in Boroondara.
 * Route 12 from along Collins Street (towards St Kilda) - passes through the residential streets of the inner south and St Kilda West before terminating at Fitzroy Street.

The eastern periphery of St Kilda, including St Kilda East, can be reached by Route 67 (towards Carnegie), or by '''Route 3 (towards East Malvern).

By train
St Kilda does not have a railway station: the former railway has been converted to the Route 96 light rail tram. St Kilda East is served by Balaclava Station on the Sandringham Line.

By bus
Buses are useful for accessing the more residential areas of St Kilda and its surrounds that lack tram services. High-frequency Route 246 operates along Punt Road and connects St Kilda East to Melbourne's inner east. Bus routes 600, 606, 922 and 923 run via Mitford St and Broadway in Elwood, south of St Kilda.

By bike
Melbourne's Blue Bike docked bike scheme extends down as far as St Kilda - and the ride between here and the city centre is very pleasant cycling. Of course, Obikes (dockless) are ubiquitous if you care to pick one up and go for a ride along the beach.

By car
From the City Centre, St Kilda is best reached via St Kilda Road, the continuation of Swanston Street in the CBD. At St Kilda Junction, follow the signage for Fitzroy St. The journey takes approximately 25 minutes, depending on traffic.

By Ferry
St Kilda Ferries operates services to and from Williamstown Pier 6 times a day on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

See




Do




Events
Note: the Espy has been closed for the past two years. It's under new ownership and there are talks of reopening.
 * Visit the flea market on Sundays at the Upper Esplanade. Good variety and prices for innovative and creative souvenirs, bags etc.
 * Every Sunday evening around sunset, there is a big party at the Espy. Situated on the picturesque Upper Esplanade, this pub has one of the best views in Melbourne. Its a bar with live music, pool tables and a lounge. Not to be missed, but bring extra cash for drinks. $5.30 for 3/4's of a pot of beer, jugs are $23.

Eat
You are truly spoilt for choice when it comes to eating in St Kilda, with over 100 eating-out venues available. The main streets in this area, Acland and Fitzroy Streets, have every type of take-away and restaurant. On Fitzroy Street, you can really see a contrast with upmarket restaurants with white table cloths rubbing shoulders with fish and chip takeaways. Depending on your budget, you are spoilt for choice. There are many cafes and restaurants favoured by locals hidden away in adjoining streets. Barkly St has Il Forniao - excellent pizza, and Claypots is a fantastic 'roll your sleeves up' type fresh fish restaurant. Acland St is noteworthy for its mouthwatering pastries.

St Kilda locals and Melbournians from neighbouring suburbs all cruise to the many cafes in the area, especially on weekends, for coffee and breakfast which is often served all day. Cafe Racer (Marine Parade) and Leroys (Acland St) have the locals nod midweek, Fringe and Vibe (Acland St) are always busy with weekend visitors and tourists due to their great location for people-watching.

Another great location is the Vineyard. If you can put up with the 'too cool for school' attitude and lack of interest from the bar and waiting staff at this venue, you are likely to have an enjoyable afternoon sitting on the terrace when it is sunny. The Vineyard has an enviable location beside a park full or Grand Canaries palm trees beside Luna Park. Sunday evenings are usually packed with the remnants of weekend parties who are partying on to a DJ.

East St Kilda and Caulfield are home to vibrant Jewish communities, and kosher bakeries and cafes abound.

Drink
Pub crawling and clubbing along Fitzroy St is very popular with backpackers.



Mid-range

 * St Kilda Stays, A manager/operator of mid-range and luxury short-stay apartments in St Kilda. 23 Apartments are available to accommodate 2-5 guests, with many on, or close to, Acland St and Fitzroy St. Minimum 7-night stay, rates from $84 to $238 per night. Book online at www.stkildastays.com.au, or e-mail: info@stkildastays.com.au

Connect
There are plenty of internet cafes (many in convenience stores) located on Fitroy street. Rates start from $2 per hour. Some also have cheap international calls.

Princes Internet, Grey street, located next to Peter Pans Travel on Grey Street, has internet, international calls, fax, printing and writing of data to CD