St Kilda tourism
St Kilda, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, has become the quintessential hangout for the bohemian crowd, and a great family vacation spot.
St Kilda tourism is helping the Melbourne, Australia region make a comeback. In its heyday, St Kilda saw Melbournites lounging on sandy beaches and living the life of leisure. The grand homes and affluent residents made it Melbourne’s most fashionable district. As time passed, the area become entrenched in prostitution and drug trafficking. Today, St Kilda is experiencing an unmistakable rebirth. It is now a well known vacation spot with photographic views of the bay, great beaches and lively shopping and dining areas.
Attractions
Luna Park is a St Kilda icon. Walk through the mouth of the laughing face entrance, into a world filled with wonderment and thrill. The Grand Carousel, built in 1913, still has all of the original 68 horses, 36 cherubs, 2 chariots and 26 scenery paintings on the centre panels.
For those seeking that ultimate adrenaline rush, Pharoah’s Curse, Shock Drop and Metropolis are sure to please. The park offers numerous rides for the entire family, plus great carnival food, games and souvenirs.
Acland Street
A major St Kilda destination, Acland Street is full of life, colour and great food. The Bohemian, energetic atmosphere of the street is due to the large number of outside cafes, cake shops and European architecture. Some of the quaint eateries include:
- The Vineyard
- Big Mouth
- Banjo’s Bakehouse
- Veludo’s
- 189 Espresso Bar
St Kilda Botanical Gardens
Also known as Blessington Gardens, this beautiful botanical reserve is registered with Heritage Victoria. Eight of the 810 mature trees that grow in the park are significant enough to be registered with the National Trust. Whether it’s a leisurely picnic in the park, or perusing the displays in the Alistair Clarke Rose Garden, the Sub-Rainforest Conservatory, or any of the many plant and flower displays, a trip to St Kilda is incomplete without a visit to the Botanical Gardens.
Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron
Overlooking Port Phillip Bay, the RMYS is one of the world’s leading yacht clubs. Over 120 years old, the club was the base for the 1956 Olympic yachting events.
- Social club races
- Competitive inter-club races
- Cruising division (lunch outings ; weekend cruises ; extended ocean cruises)
- training programmes
- junior sailing programmes for children
Lodging
- The Esplanade Hotel-Landmark, historic and iconic-3 star
- Sixty Two on Grey-historic, 4 star
- Marque Hotel-boutique, 4 star
- Tolarno Hotel-boutique, 4 star
- Quest on St Kilda Road-rental apartments, 4 star
- Charnwood Motor Inn-AAA Tourism award finalist, 3 star
- Clyde Apartments-boutique, 3 star