St Kilda Beach

If you’re used to Sydney beaches this won’t meet your expectations; however, for my short stay in Melbourne it was a gem. I stayed right near Luna Park and I ran every morning on the boardwalk and pier by St. Kilda beach. During the variable spring weather in Melbourne we had a couple sunny days where many people were happy to stretch out and catch some rays. It was fun to watch the skydivers land on the south side of the beach and they had some fun volleyball leagues that played in the evenings.
If you’re looking for a place to relax and catch some sun on a nice spring afternoon in Melbourne, visit St. Kilda beach!

St Kilda Beach is supposed to be an equivalent of California’s Venice Beach. I’ve been told that it’s where the freaks come out at night. In addition, it’s supposed to the Hipster’s beach. However, there wasn’t many freaks or Hipsters when I was there. I didn’t see any fanny packs, any breads and anybody for that matter. Therefore, I had to sit there and re-​evaluate everything I’ve been told in life like whether Santa and the Tooth Fairy really exist or not.

One of the standouts during my trip to Melbourne. Beautiful large trees great for climbing in if your inner Monkey needs to be let out.
Quite windy, so awesome for kite surfers in general, there were a fair few when I was there, so beautiful. The beaches weren’t as good as the ones in QLD of course but for Melbourne and the time of year I was there… was sultry heaven.
The water wasn’t too cold and besides the wind, it was an awesome end to the long walk we did from Chapel Street. Easy to catch a cab from as well.

Windy Windy but a great beach. St Kilda is always clean and full of out going people walking, biking and having fun. There are lots of happening places to get a bite to eat and a drink also.

I’m not from St Kilda so coming down here to visit is a bit of a treat.
I love how eclectic it is. You will always find backpackers from all over the world hanging around, riding bikes, roller skating or just chilling.
It can be picturesque but most of the time it’s full of people.
It’s a great people-​watching beach.
The good thing is that is only a hop skip and a jump from Acland or Fitzroy Street where you can score yourself a decent meal.
Everyone at one time or another has to go to St Kilda beach. It’s a Melbourne institution.

I dig St. Kilda beach! An $ 18 cab ride from CBD gets you here, or you can take the tram. Cute little road nearby with lots of cafes, and plenty of beautiful people on the beach to look at.

A great beach. lots of shops surrounding, on a nice day it is busy and full of people.
Great atmosphere at this place.

Favourite place to be when it’s hot, only downside, you have to get there SUPER early to beat everyone to get a decent spot!
Beautiful views and lots of places to eat just within a block!

Great way to spending a date night. We walked down the beach to the pier, had a soft serve, and just hung out before walking over to the Esplanade to hear some great music.

The local anti-​beach, St Kilda is the nearest stretch of sand to urban Melb. While the quiet bay scarcely turns a wave and the water is questionable at best for swimming, it is still a glorious, sandy oasis just minutes from city limits.
Play spot the foreigner — every backpacker in town will make their way here eventually. The ratio of foreign: local is outstanding.
Watch the kite surfers on the north end of the beach. The pier protects the water but the bay keeps it windy.
At sunset or sunrise, go to the end of the pier and see the Fairy Penguins in their nests. These tiny little fluff balls are easiest seen in summer, but some are around all year. (As are the giant rats.)
There’s always some event going on on the boardwalk — beach volleyball, promotions, concerts.
If you dare dipping a toe, do keep a careful eye on your feet. As a favourite late-​night party spot, this shore tends to have its share of broken glass.

So far as the beaches go. Melbourne beaches don’t do justice to the beauty of Australia/​at least to the ones i’ve been to. Bondi is beautiful in Sydney but that is another days talk. Lets talk about this place.
There are some good sides to it.
Its easily accessible from the city with tram or a short drive, the environment is nice and calm with the palm trees which gives a good vibe to the place, plus there are some good places to just chill out.
Enjoy:)

Perfect Summer spot, even good for the hot spring days.

Want to see little penguins for free. Go here in night. (Be careful of those water rats, those are big and bit scary)

Too many people!!! not enough parking stalls… But the beach itself… just perfect. Warm water, warmer sand, blue skies, and a young vibe!!! There is actually just one concentrated area (where they sell the ice cream), close to the restaurants and the SeaBaths, that is the best for sunning and relaxing. Unfortunately, that’s also where the hordes gather as well.
November was warm and the tan I had to show for afterward was too cool… tan in November. For a North American, that’s pretty novel stuff! Lots of options for eating or getting a cocktail after laying like a fish.
Love that sand… not the cleanest, however.

St Kilda beach is probably the most well known beach in Melbourne by locals and tourists alike. It’s proximity to the city is very convenient and is a factor which has made the beach very popular. Tourists don’t have to travel far to swim in the ocean and this is a major drawing point. Having never been to Melbourne before, I visited St. Kilda beach with a friend and was pleasantly surprised. I didn’t know what to expect when I heard how close it was to the CBD. However, it called for a relaxing day by the beach, with plenty of sun. The water was freezing cold, despite it being a 40+ degree weather day. From memory the train station was a bit of a trek so it is best to drive.

The actual beach itself in St Kilda is kind of average. A mediocre swell that really couldnt be defined as waves, plus a section of sand that really pales in comparison to the beautiful white sand beaches that Australia is renowned for.
However, its still great to head down there on a hot summers day when you cant get out of the city but still want to enjoy a dip in the water, or the rays of the sun. The beach is surrounded by grassy parks, palm trees, and more bars and restaurants than probably any other beach area in the state. There is a great atmosphere here, with young people, families, and and older people mixing to create a really eclectic environment.
St Kilda itself is known as a mix between a bohemian artist community, backpackers central, and a hip inner city suburb for young professionals, which brings a really unique feel to the area. It makes the area interesting and is constantly evolving. St Kilda Beach is where all of this and the people of Melbourne meet. It doesnt hurt either that the beach is very accessible from the city, via the amazing tram system.

This beach is one of the reasons I love living here.
You can go round the world and not see a beach and it’s surroundings as good as what we have in St. Kilda. In the summer it’s great but gets stupidly busy with locals, tourists and other visitors but even on a nice balmy night a walk down on the boardwalk and a beer at one of the many cafes/​bars/​restaurants is second to none.
The view is one of Melbourne’s best and the sand there is good where a little dip in the (usually cold no matter what) water never hurts. I have regretted going there before though due to the parking issues and the fact I got fined where now I feel like I’m controlled by the parking meters… I suppose that’s the price you pay for beauty and pleasure.

This beach isn’t one of those picture perfect paradises like Byron Bay or some of the Sydney beaches, but what it lacks in photogenic quality it makes up for in charm.
NOTES:
~ Walk down Acland Street and you’ll meet with a huge barrage of places to eat and shop. I highly recommend some gelato on hot days and La Roche for a nice drink and have a taste of their amazing Fish & Chips.
~ Luna Park is an iconic piece of St Kilda Beach, although I’m not a huge fan myself. However, it’s at least worth 1 go I suppose — even a walk-​around will do.
~ Sometimes, especially during summer there will be events going on that might be of interest to you.
~ The beach is consistently clean — you won’t find much of a case in terms of litter and grime here.
~ Super easily accessible with loads of trams coming in and out.
I definitely don’t mind St Kilda. It’s always a great place to hang out for a relaxing day.

My absolute favourite place in Melbourne is Victoria’s answer to the Gold Coast; St Kilda Beach. On any day where the temperature gets above 25 degrees, hoards of sun starved Melbournians cut school, work and anything else on the agenda to soak up the sun, fun and atmosphere that exists only in this unique place.
St Kilda Beach comes alive throughout the St Kilda Festival held in March each year; with XTreme Games, street vendors, food, street perfomers, arts, entertainment, music and sports like beach volleyball.
The esplanade is a great place to go for a walk, and if you start from the East and walk to the Western Beach there is a massive, grassy reserve shaded by trees. This is a great place for families, with BBQ amenities and a great playground.
My fave area and the place where you’ll experience the best of the St Kilda atmosphere is along the Lower Esplanade. Particularly on a warm day, the beachside restaurants and bars that are dotted along here are the perfect place to kick back alfresco, enjoy a glass of wine or a hardy beer and enjoy the views and culture of St Kilda.
The long pier is great to enjoy a romantic or leisurely stroll and at the end you can reward yourself with a scrumptious meal or some liquid refreshment at Little Blue, a restaurant with the million dollar panoramic views of Port Phillip Bay.
And if you go just beyond Little Blue and down the steps to the beach below, you might just be lucky enough to spot a fluffy penguin or two.
Artisans, teenagers, athletes, models, families, kids and the emotionally charged all congregate at St Kilda Beach and it’s one of the many reasons it’s renowned as the cultural, atmospheric heart of Melbourne.