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Home to St Kilda Beach, Luna Park and an enticing array of food and drink, St Kilda is a favourite playground for locals and visitors alike. While Melbournian icons abound in this seaside suburb, a range of wonderfully unique discoveries also await for those willing to scratch just below the surface.
Take Me To The Beach
The Beach and esplanade are front and centre in St Kilda and always a hive of activity. On any given day you’ll find dedicated runners, walkers and bike riders making their way along the boardwalks and paths that line the foreshore and, on warmer days, you’ll find similarly active people enjoying various pursuits in the water.
Penguin Parade
A colony of penguins calls the area home and you can see them year-round on the breakwater at the end of the pier. An entirely different colony that’s set up camp along the water’s edge is the Esplanade Market which runs every Sunday. You can find everything of the arty and crafty variety here, as well as Melbourne’s only coffee tricycle, whose friendly baristas serve up perfect lattes and fluffy cappuccinos to fuel your exploration.
Food, Glorious Food
Whilst we’re on the topic of food, for lunch or dinner you can’t go past Rococo. This oft-awarded venue is also a favourite with the locals and, after one bite of their seafood tortellini, you’ll see why. They also offer a wonderful tapas menu which is great if you don’t feel like committing to a full Italian feast. The salumi selection is always a good idea, as are the pan-fried garlic prawns.
Wash them down with a glass or two from the extensive wine list and you’ve got yourself a wonderful night.
Luna Park Delight
Melbourne icon Luna Park finds itself part of the scenery here in St Kilda. Having opened in 1912, the park carries more than its fair share of history and although the rides have all been updated, it still maintains a distinct charm of years gone by. Even if you don’t have intentions of going in, take a walk past and snap an iconic photo of the park’s famous entrance.
Tickle Your Funny Bone
Right next door to Luna Park you’ll find the Palais Theatre, another grand old piece of Melbourne’s history. Just like its neighbour, the Palais has well and truly maintained its relevance in the present day and is possibly best known as the venue of the Melbourne Comedy Festival. You can experience shows here year-round and the quality of all of them – stand-up, concerts and theatre – is consistently high.
Scout House
Finally on this list, we come to every homemaker’s dream: Scout House. Having featured in every decorating magazine known to man, the secret is well and truly out about this one but it doesn’t dull the fact that it’s home to some of the most beautifully unique vintage homewares in the country.
The pieces here are designed to be cherished and chances are you’ll fall head over heels in love with an item or two upon entering but that’s ok – there are far worse things in the world than taking a piece of St Kilda with you.
Where to stay?
TFE Hotels has a great variety of accommodation choices to suit your taste and budget... from the laid back Vibe Hotel Melbourne to the vibrant and colourful Quincy Melbourne. Take a look.
**Peace of mind when you stay with us. Introducing Clean Touch. Note: Some activities listed may be affected by Covid restrictions.
