Living in St Kilda

Living in St Kilda St Kilda is Melbourne’s seaside playground covering the expansive view of Port Phillip and is a favourite spot of both residents and visitors alike. Palm trees, breath taking sunsets, sandy beaches and attractive architecture all come as standard around St Kilda where you immediately feel at home.

With plenty to do, see, eat and drink around the area, this cultural centre is bursting with arts and entertainment hang-outs. Quite a quirky area with a focus on the arts and music scene, there used to be a seedy side to St Kilda but now this has reformed into a bustling area for everyone.

Bars and Pubs in St Kilda

For delicious Latin Street Food and Mexican lunch specials, Newmarket St Kilda is one of the oldest establishments in the area and has a top reputation for its food and wine list.

The Espy is also one of the better known venues in the area with a thriving kitchen, bar and live music room. Renowned all over Australia for its top line ups for events and a great party vibe, The Espy is a venue, which becomes a second home to many of those who decide to reside in St Kilda.

The Local Taphouse is European inspired and perfect for those summer afternoons in a beer garden. Trivia and live music is a standard night at the Local Taphouse and drinks are well priced for the entertainment provided. The food menu is varied and covers dishes such as the roast pumpkin risotto. This is a great meeting place with a welcoming atmosphere.

Do not forget to hit the St Kilda Markets throughout the year also as something alternative to do. There are many festivals such as Southside Handmade and Vintage market, the Veg Out market and the Esplanade Market. A Highlight throughout January is the St Kilda Twilight market where the O’Donnell Gardens come to life at night creating a nocturnal zone of beautiful and unique things to do, buy, eat and drink.

Dining in St Kilda

Lentil As Anything is a unique non-profit organisation, which runs three establishments across Melbourne. This is a ‘pay-as-you-feel’ venue, which allows people to eat the food, and only pay what they think it’s the worth. This covers their A La Carte menu, and also their vegan and vegetarian selections. The food is of a respectable quality and very well run by volunteers from the surrounding community.

Who said that the weekends couldn’t start on a Thursday? With happy hours 5 till 7 pm on a Thursday and Friday, head down to Captain Baxters and enjoy a drink before a delicious feast of jerk chicken and platters. Their balcony creates magical moments whilst the sun is setting over the horizon and you have a cocktail in hand with cocktail nibbles on the side. Perfection.

The Cushion Lounge is a creation for those on more of a budget when it comes to eating out. With nightly deals such as their $5 pizza night or their $10 Parma and pot, their venue is full of young travellers most evenings who are looking for good food and a good time.

Accommodation in St Kilda

St Kilda is not only a holiday destination; it provides a habitable safe haven for people from all walks of life.

Home hostels are known throughout Melbourne for their top locations and welcoming feel. If you want to feel like more of a community than a number in a huge hostel, Home in St Kilda Beach is the perfect place to stay for the beginning of your Melbourne time whilst you find something more long term. From $26 a night in high summer season, each room has clean linen, comfy beds, air conditioning and TVs. Ritz backpackers on Fitzroy Street in St Kilda is a feel good hostel with some great offers such as a free hot pancake breakfast, BBQ and towels with weekly specials on their rates. Depending on the season their dorms start from $24 and they also have private single and double rooms available.

Stay at the Beach House at the Vibe building on Acland Street for a comfortable modern stay in St Kilda. For a week to rent these amazing apartments which sleep five people in a two bedroomed apartment, depending on the season is around $1000 a week which works out great if you are part of a big group. There are smaller places available such as beautiful one-bedroom apartments, which work out at around $600 per week. These are all based on a week minimum stay and no longer than two months.

For longer-term rentals, one-bedroom apartments can be rented for around $300 per week; two-bedroomed places are great for saving money if there are four of you as you can rent a stylish apartment for around $460 per week. A top of the range three-bedroom apartment in St Kilda averages at $700 per week. Living in St Kilda is very good value for money and has a great community feel to it with people of all ages residing here.

How to get to St Kilda

There are two convenient airport shuttle buses to connect Melbourne Airport and St Kilda.

With St Kilda standing only six km southeast from Melbourne’s central business district, it is in the perfect location to easily venture into the bustling city centre, which makes Melbourne life that bit more convenient.

Tram routes 96 from Bourke Street, tram 112 from Collins Street and tram 16 from Swanston Street, all service St Kilda and are around 25 minutes from the city. The Bayside Trail off-road bicycle network connects through St Kilda.

Looking for things to do in St Kilda? Why not try Kite Surfing with Kite Republic

Check out things to do in Melbourne