St Kilda is affectionately known as Melbourne’s seaside playground and it’s a popular spot for tourists and locals alike. It’s home to many visitor attractions including Luna Park, Acland Street, Fitzroy Street and an expansive view of Port Phillip. At just 6km from the city centre, its parks, beach and range of great restaurants, bars and cafes make it a popular hotspot.
Cost of living in Melbourne can be high and St Kilda is no exception. Over the years, the suburb has attracted young professionals and small families because of its laid back community and proximity to the beach.
So, let’s explore more of this awesome part of Melbourne.
General Summary of St Kilda:
| City & State | St Kilda, VIC |
| Postcode | 3182 |
| Location | 7 km South of Melbourne CBD |
| Area | 3.2km2 |
| Population | 20,230 (2016) |
St Kilda Real Estate Trends:
| Median Property Price | Average Weekly Rent | Vacancy Rate | Average Rental Yield | Renters vs Owners |
| $1,71,000 | $655 | 16.3% | 2% | 71% |
Top things to do in St Kilda
Source: Film Victoria
1. Acland Street
If you have a sweet tooth, Acland Street is the place for you. Take your pick from any one of the bakeries along the street showcasing their utterly delicious range of cakes, tarts and pastries. There is also a range of cafes and small stores to browse through.
Source: Rydges
2. Fitzroy Street
Great bars, restaurants and cafes, you won’t be far from a great bite to eat on this street. There’s usually live bands playing on the weekends at any number of the nearly pubs to sit back and enjoy a glass of wine or beer to.
3. St Kilda Festival
Held on the second Sunday in February each year, the festival routinely attracts close to half a million attendees. The streets of St Kilda are closed to traffic during the festival, allowing you to walk freely between the multiple stages. There are a range of performers and entertainment from musicians, kids’ entertainment and dance ti carnival rides, buskers and workshops.
Source: St Kilda News
4. St Kilda Pier
You just can’t go past the St Kilda Pier for a gorgeous view of Port Phillip Bay. Take a stroll or run or throw a line over the side for a spot of fishing. One of the highlights of St Kilda Pier is the possibility of spotting a colony of penguins which are often in the area dependant on the season and weather.
5. Luna Park
You can’t visit St Kilda without running into the grinning face of Luna Park.
Luna Park hosts regular activities throughout the year such as Night Rider Nights in Summer, and the Christmas Gala lunch, something even the locals can jump on board with.
Source: Stkildamelbourne.com.au
6. Botanical Gardens
These gardens have something for everyone. There are great spaces to sit and read a book as well as more open zones that are perfect for a game of soccer or cricket. For the little ones there is a playground and a pond with ducks and there are plenty of picnic tables to share a meal.
Source: Russell’s Astronomy
7. St Kilda Esplanade Market
These take place every Sunday from 10am- 5pm in Summer and till 4pm in Winter. Grab a bite to eat at nearby Acland or Fitzroy streets and take a stroll through the stalls full of iconic Melbourne arts and crafts.
Source: Visit Melbourne
Places to eat in St Kilda
You won’t find it difficult to find a place to eat in St Kilda and there’s everything from fine dining to cheap eats depending on your budget and time. There’s a range of cuisine types including Indian, Japanese, Italian and Mediterranean. There’s just too many to name so here are just a few:
Donovans
Not the fanciest of restaurants but if you’re after some reliably satisfying comfort food then this is the place to go. They are well known for their legendary Bombe Alaska dessert.
Source: timeout.com
Pontoon
Located next to St Kilda beach this laid back restaurant has dishes with a Mediterranean/ North African flavour. Its large outdoor deck is perfect for having a drink as the sun goes down.
Source: wheretotonight.com
Mr Wolf
Celebrity Chef Karen Martini’s take on Roman- style pizza, pasta and other delicious mouth-watering meals is a family friendly gem in St Kilda. They open at 5pm for the little ones and even have a ‘wolf cub’s’ menu with kid friendly portions and options. The restaurant also has an intimate bar ‘little wolf’ which is a little more intimate without the hustle and bustle of the main dining space.
Transport in St Kilda
St Kilda is well serviced by public transport including regular trams and buses. There are services to get you around St Kilda and neighbouring suburbs as well as into Melbourne’s CBD. There is also a St Kilda ferry to Williamstown.
Hospitals and healthcare in St Kilda
There are several GPS and medical centres in this suburb, including Victoria Medical Centre and St Kilda Superclinic. There are also services for obstetrics, contemporary healthcare, osteopathy, physiotherapy, dental, chiro, optical and more.
Education and childcare in St Kilda
St Kilda has two primary schools – St Kilda Park Primary School and St Kilda Primary School – and there are further schooling options in neighbouring suburbs. There are also plenty of childcare services in the area.
Shopping in St Kilda
Acland Court Shopping Centre is the go-to for all your shopping needs. As well as a Coles, it has clothing stores, bakeries, hairdressers, a pharmacy and eateries. For something a bit different and for a true local experience, head to the St Kilda Esplanade Market, which is held every Sunday from 10am.
Sports and recreation in St Kilda
There are several gyms in St Kilda including Fitness First, Fernwood, Anytime Fitness and Jetts. If you’d prefer to get outdoors, you can get active at a number of outdoor group fitness classes, the St Kilda Sea Baths, hit the water with stand-up paddle boarding or go for a stroll along the waterfront. Otherwise you can mix it up with some martial arts, pilates, yoga, F45, or get involved in the state’s favourite sport – AFL.
Entertainment in St Kilda
Palais Theatre – This historic theatre often hosts some of the best entertainment in the area. With a range of shows including music and even the Melbourne Comedy Festival, this theatre is a regular go-to for great entertainment. If you’re a theatre buff, there a few more theatres in the area to try out including Alex Theatre and Theatre Works.
Bars and nightlife – There are plenty of stylish options if you’re looking for a night out including Melbourne Wine Room, Misery Guts, Secret garden bar, 29th Apartment, and St Hotel.
If you’re a cheese lover or just after something a little different, check out Milk The Cow, a licensed fromagerie where you can perfectly pair artisan cheese with boutique wines and booze.
If you’re on the hunt for more properties for rent in St Kilda or houses on sale in St Kilda, we can also help you out in that department. Browse our search page to check out some amazing listings available right now. But don’t just stop there, download our app to get the full Soho experience. Just remember to shortlist or swipe left on our listings so we can send you others that better match what you’re looking for.
