St Kilda Beach
Cosmopolitan St Kilda Beach is one of Melbourne's most popular attractions. The historic pier and penguins, summer sporting and music events, kite boarding, cafes and restaurants, nightlife and multi use promenade, provides something for everyone.
St Kilda is a wide, sandy beach that is suitable for swimming and a host of other activities. St Kilda Pier is a favourite for promenading and taking in excellent city skyline views and fabulous sunsets. A ferry service operates to Williamstown and Southbank whilst, the marina has extensive boating facilities, including ramps. Nearby reserves have picnic, barbecue and play facilities and there are paths suitable for bicycling, walking and rollerblading.
St Kilda Beach has been modified by foreshore development. Today the main beach is 650 m long. The beach abuts the side of St Kilda Marina in the south, with Brooks Jetty also crossing the southern end, while the St Kilda Pier and breakwater form the northern boundary. As a result of these structures, the beach has widened at each end. The beach is backed by the busy Esplanade, however parking is limited.
The safest section is from the lifesaving club to the northern pier, which is also a No Boating Zone. Stay clear of the southern pier and breakwater.
This beach is used more by St Kilda locals than visitors, as parking and amenities are limited.
St Kilda Beach has a General Beach Hazard Rating of 3/10 (Least hazardous). The beach is patrolled by the St Kilda Life Saving Club.
Review:
The long beach stretches from St Kilda pier in the west to St Kilda Marina in the east and has a moderate to narrow width along its length.
There is a colony of 1200 Little Penguins at the breakwater at the end of St Kilda pier. If you go to St Kilda Pier just before dusk you'll see the penguins swimming in at the end of the day and climbing the breakwater rocks into their nests.
A wide concrete promenade backs the beach and there is attractive wooden decking in sections. At the west end the promenade is dotted with palm trees and there are restaurants with outdoor restaurants overlooking the water which makes for a lively and busy scene when the weather is nice. Restaurants include Beachcombers, Encore St Kilda Beach, Republica and Captain Baxter. The St Kilda Sea Baths are located in the midst of this area. This area only has paid parking.
When you get past the restaurants here is an area of palm trees with unshaded seats, water tap and huge grassy area. At the east end of the big grassy area there is another area with seats and a water tap. At the back of the beach here there is a patch of grass with BBQs, unshaded table and seats which is located beside busy Beaconsfield Parade. Walk through the curved archway or follow the steps and path to reach the beach. There is a row of nice seats to relax on here.
St Kilda Life Saving Club is located west of Donovans restaurant. The beach widens momentarily in front of Donovans restaurant before reaching the small, dilapidated Brooks Jetty where there are beach showers and water tap. At this point you are opposite Luna Park.
The decking in this area has layers and creates a lot of seating places. There is a 200m section of beach past the jetty which is fairly wide but had quite a lot of seaweed when we visited. It is backed by a bicycle path. The east end is rocky. There is a small, basic playground here with shaded table, unshaded table, BBQs, water tap and toilets. The St Kilda skatepark is located at this end.
Access for Dogs:
St Kilda beach has two zones with different restrictions.
To the south of Brooks Jetty dogs are permitted at all times.
To the north of Brooks Jetty dogs are prohibited during 1 November - 31 March and are permitted during 1 April and 31 October.
Map:
Photos:
Location
20 Jacka Boulevard, St Kilda 3182 Map
Web Links
→ St Kilda Beach on Facebook
→ St Kilda Beach (BeachSafe)
→ stkildalifesavingclub.com.au
→ St Kilda Penguins
