Best of St Kilda, VIC: A Guide to Food, Art, and Local Culture
Wondering about things to do around St Kilda? This lively Melbourne beachside town has all the elements to make a beautiful little getaway. We’ve sourced delicious eateries, new establishments, a vibrant arts scene and more, to make your holiday fuelled with fun.
Hop on the tram from the city to St Kilda Beach and it’s lively palm lined promenade where bright bunting flutters in the sea breeze, and yachts and windsurfers skim across the wind-swept bay. Joggers, cyclists, and beachgoers are making their way to Port Phillip Bay and some on a mission to see the tiny penguins at the end of the pier.
St Kilda has a diverse food culture with fantastic spots to eat, from casual beachside fish and chips to sophisticated dining in beautiful heritage buildings. For art lovers, there’s no shortage of galleries, or you can catch a show at the historic Palais Theatre, which is a real local treasure.
Getting to St Kilda, Victoria
It’s just a 29 min tram ride from Tullamarine Airport or a scenic 8 and 1/2 hr scenic 8½-hr drive from Sydney with plenty of good stops along the way. You’ll be enjoying your favourite local cafe, promenade deck chair and feel the serenity in no time.
Things to do around St Kilda: Wellness & Pampering
- Stable Massage: massages to ease stress and tension. 10A/3-7 Fitzroy St, St Kilda
- Nourish Spa and Skin Clinic: facials, body treatments, and advanced skin therapies. 38 Acland St, St Kilda
- Alchemy: offering acupuncture, cupping, and therapeutic massages. 142A Grey St, St Kilda
- Skin Day Spa: Believes that relaxation and indulgence of a traditional spa experience with proven, clinical benefits.
- Beautyologist: Led by Sia and her expertly qualified team of Beauty Therapists and Dermal Clinicians, committed to tailored treatments.
- Zayn The Organic Salon: incredible colour work, beautiful cuts.
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Zuri Boutique Hair & Beauty: a flair for hair artistry and specialise in women’s hair colour, extensions, and design.
- Biba St Kilda: Professional hair salon at 167 Acland St, St Kilda
- Suki Hair & Beauty: offering a range of hair services along with waxing and beauty treatments at 8 Inkerman St, St Kilda
Explore & Discover Around St Kilda
Outdoor Activities and Sightseeing
- Rediscover the child within at Luna Park: 18 Lower Esplanade, St Kilda
- Enjoy a night at the theatre at Theatre Works:14 Acland St, St Kilda VIC 3182
- Stroll St Kilda Botanical Gardens:
- St Kilda Esplanade Market – vintage clothes, retro drink coastrs, handmade crafts, and unique souvenirs
- Kids can run amok at St Kilda Adventure Playground
- Take the ferry to Williamstown and Port Melbourne aboard The Coastal Flyer.
- Enjoy the pier walk
- Acland Street walk and cake shops.
- Spot the St Kilda Penguins around 5pm at the end of the pier
- St Kilda Skate Park: whether you’re a skateboarder, rollerblader, or just a spectator
- Check out local craftsman at St Kilda Twilight Market
- Peanut Farm Reserve: a haven for musicians, artists and writers in the space behind Luna Park.
- Visit Elwood Beach: Just a short walk from St Kilda, for a picnic, swim and beach volleyball
Indoor Activities and Unique Experiences
- Visit the Melbourne Holocaust Museum, 26 Alma Rd, St Kilda
- Soak up the tranquillity of the Gardens
- Head to a live music concert at the Palais Theatre
- Vege Out Community Gardens, cnr Shakespeare Grove & Chaucer Street, St Kilda
- Fitzroy Street bars, cafes, restaurants and shops
- Rain Room- permanent exhibition at Jakalope Pavillon, corner Jackson and, Acland St, St Kilda
- Peanut Farm Reserve (Artist Hub): haven for musicians, artists and writers, corner Chaucer Street and Blessington Street, St Kilda
- Palais Theatre Walk and Iconic Building Tour
- The Astor Theatre: one of the last single screen movie palaces left in the world, showing movies continuously since being built in 1936, and transporting you to a time when going to the movies was an event. 1 Chapel St, St Kilda
- Visit the Bletchley Bar: a 1940s-themed speakeasy-style bar, where you’ll decode messages to order your cocktails.
99-101 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne. - Do a few heated laps at the indoor St Kilda Sea Baths: 10-18 Jacka Blvd, St Kilda
- St Kilda Bowling Club: for a fun game of lawn bowls – indoor and outdoor bowling. 9-11 The Esplanade, St Kilda
Things to do around St Kilda: Good Eats & Casual Dining
- Manu’s Bistro: 17 Fitzroy St, St Kilda
- The Galleon Cafe
- Blu Oyster Co: 45A Fitzroy St, St Kilda VIC . @bluoysterco
- Mrs Hyde’s Cafe: 107 Grey St, St Kilda VIC 3182
- Monarch Cakes: Acland Street
- Walk Acland Street for Gelato & Cake Shops
- The Cat Café: sip coffee while spending time with adoptable cats. 15-17 Bray St
Foodies Around St Kilda: Fine Dining, Wines and Gourmet Flavours
- Stokehouse St Kilda: oceanfront eatery, big windows, sleek decor, upscale Australian fare, wine and spirits.
- Piccolina gelateria: Founded by Sandra Foti, this is a true labor of love, making handmade gelato from scratch. Every Wednesday, they roll out three exciting new specials, like ‘Better than Nutella,’ ‘Virgin Mojito,’ ‘Strawberry Shortcake,’ and the wickedly decadent ‘Ferrerolina Rocher‘ and more. indulge in a scoop, frappé, or sundae. It’s one of the best things to do around St Kilda.
- Rye and Dough Bakery: Shop3-4/149 Fitzroy St, St Kilda
- Little Prince Wine; Book a private function, enjoy wine tastings and events.
- Mya Tiger– Yum Cha at Hotel Esplanade
- Sister of Soul: offers delicious, wholesome vegan dishes with fresh ingredients. 2/2A Blessington St, St Kilda
- St Luja’s: Mediterranean-inspired from fresh seafood to hearty mains, 127 Acland St, St Kilda
- La Madre Bakery: a local favorite, queue for sourdough, freshly baked pastries, and breads. 107-109 Fitzroy St
- Green Point Grocery & Deli: This small but mighty gourmet deli offers fresh bread, cheeses, meats, and a selection of artisanal pantry goods. 74 Acland St, St Kilda
- Boccaccio Cellars: a must-visit for wine lovers with an impressive selection of wines, craft beers, and gourmet food items. 58-60 Leopold St, Balaclava (a short distance from St Kilda)
Markets Around St Kilda
- South Melbourne Market: Just a short tram ride away with fresh produce, gourmet deli items, seafood, and more. 322-326 Coventry St, South Melbourne
- Prahran Market: One of Melbourne’s oldest markets, with fresh produce, meats, seafood, and gourmet food stalls. 163 Commercial Rd, Prahran
- St Kilda Farmers’ Market: Held monthly at St Kilda Primary School, with organic produce, artisanal cheeses, and seasonal foods. 94 Inkerman St, St Kilda
- Queen Victoria Market: this iconic market offers fresh produce, gourmet pantry items, and international flavors. Queen St, Melbourne
- St Kilda Esplanade Market: A Sunday tradition, this market often has fresh produce, artisan treats, and homemade snacks.
Things to do around St Kilda: Retail Escapes
- Urban Attitude
- Since Paws
- Readings, St Kilda
- Space2B Social Design (unique gifts)
- Eclectico (clothes, jewellery, vinyl records)
- Seagulls of St Kilda
- Chakra
- The Gallery is located at 181/185 Barkly St, St Kilda Victoria
- Linden New Art
- The Standard Store: A stylish concept store, Australian-designed fashion, accessories, and minimalistic home goods at 96-98 Acland St, St Kilda
- Fitzroy Street Books: second-hand bookstore with a great selection of vintage books, rare finds, and local literature. 99 Fitzroy St, St Kilda VIC 3182
- Tiny Store: handcrafted homewares, accessories, and art from local Australian makers. 134 Chapel St, St Kilda
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