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Melbourne/St Kilda
From eTripTips Wiki
St Kilda is a vibrant south-eastern inner suburb of Melbourne, Australia. St. Kilda is famous for its beach life and the party scene along Fitzroy Street.
[edit] Get in
[edit] By tram
From Melbourne city centre, travellers heading to St Kilda should hop on a tram. Journey time is approximately 25 mins:
- Tram 16 (direction St Kilda Beach or Kew) from Flinders Street Station or Federation Square.
- Tram 96 from Southern Cross Station or Bourke Street.
- Tram 112 from Collins Street.
- The beach
- Luna Park
- Fitzroy Street
- The world-famous cake shops on Acland Street
- The possums in Cantani Gardens after dark
- Visit the flea market on Sundays at the Upper Esplanade. Good varierty and prices for innovative and creative souvenirs, bags etc
- Every sunday evening for sunset there is a big party at the Espy 11 Upper Esplande. At the front it says Hotel but its a bar with live music, pool tables and a lounge. You should go at least once during your stay because the party is one of the best. On evenings before public holiday's it is very popular,too.
- Luna Park is a St Kilda icon with its fabled Scenic Railway rollercoaster, the oldest continually operating wooden-framed roller coaster in the world. One of only nine of its kind still operating, the Scenic Railway was installed in the Park on its opening in 1912 this place is worth a visit
You are truly spoilt for choice when it comes to eating in St Kilda. The main streets in this area, Acland and Fitzroy Streets, have every type of take-away and restaurant. On Fitzroy Street you can really see a contrast with upmarket restaurants with white table cloths rubbing shoulders with fish and chip takeaways. So depending on your budget you can find whatever you want. You just need to walk around and take your pick. There are many cafes and restaurants favoured by locals hidden away in adjoining streets. Barkly St has Il Forniao - excellent pizza, and Claypots is a fantastic 'roll your sleeves up' type fresh fish restaurant. Acland St is noteworthy for both felafel and cakes.
St Kilda locals and Melbournians from neighbouring suburbs all cruise to the many cafes in the area, especially on weekends, for coffee and breakfast which is often served all day. Cafe Racer (Marine Parade) and Leroys (Acland St) have the locals nod midweek, Fringe and Vibe (Acland St) are always busy with weekend visitors and tourists due to their great location for People watching.
Another great location is the Vineyard. If you can put up with the 'too cool for school' attitude and lack of interest from the Tattoo'ed bar and waiting staff at this venue you are likely to have an enjoyable afternoon sitting on the terrace when it is sunny. The Vineyard has an enviable location beside a park full or Grand Canaries palm trees beside Luna Park. Sunday evenings are usually packed with the remnants of weekend parties who are partying on to a DJ.
East St Kilda and Caulfield are home to a vibrant Jewish communities, and kosher bakeries and cafes abound.
[edit] Budget
- The 'Banff' café [1] at 145 Fitzroy Street does delicious, generously-sized pizzas for AU$5.50 all day on Mondays and Tuesdays, and until 5.30pm the rest of the week. The building was once commandeered by the Americans as barracks for soldiers during WW2.
- The Spud Bar, tucked into a little arcade of eateries on Blessington Street, just south of the end of Acland Street, does great value baked potatoes with a variety of toppings.
- A couple of doors down from the Spud Bar is Lentil As Anything, an incredible vegetarian curry house where there is no price list - you pay what you believe the food to be worth. Worth getting down early for a spot out the back.
- La Roche in Acland Street has AU$5 pizzas and AU$6 pastas on some nights as well as cheap drinks. Favoured by younger locals and students.
- Bala's. Opposite Luna Park, a must for the budget traveller.
[edit] Mid-range
- Rococco, Acland St - Excellent quality food. Pizza/Pasta. Sit inside near the fire in winter or on Acland St.
- Dogs Bar, Acland St- Wine bar packed with locals. Serves anti-pasti menu, has an extensive cheese menu and hundreds or Australian wines on offer. tough finding a seat outside on a nice evening or inside on a weekend evening. Always has an atmosphere.
- Soul Mama, 10-18 Jacka Boulevard nestled between the swimming bath and a cafe, you find a buffet style vegetarian restaurant at the first floor.
- Glicks, Carlisle St, East St Kilda. For Kosher food, this outlet includes a bakery, a pizza/pasta sit down (9527 8733) and a fast food take away (9527 9968)
[edit] Splurge
- Donovans, 40 Jacka Boulevard, opposite the beach and evening sunsets. An Age 2-Hat restaurant. SUperb but pricey.
- Stokehouse, 30 Jacka Boulevard, alomost next door to Donovans. An Age 1-Hat restaurant. Posh place for chilling and excellent food.
- Café di Stasio, 31 Fitzroy Street. Superb elegant Italian food
- Circa the Prince, Fitzroy St. Stylish and expensive.
Pub crawling and clubbing along Fitzroy St is very poplular with backpackers. The Prince of Wales 29 Fitzroy St has a good selection of tap beer and shots. Nice people
[edit] Budget
- Jackson’s Manor, 53 Jackson St, St Kilda, 9534 1877 (info@jacksonsmanor.com.au). Dorm beds $19-$24, single $58, double/twin $30 pp. http://www.jacksonsmanor.com.au/
- Olembia Guesthouse, 96 Barkly St (near Inkerman and Grey Sts), St Kilda, 9537 1412 (stay@olembia.com.au, fax 9537 1600). Office hours 7am-1pm, 5-7pm. Dorm beds $25, single $46, twin/double $78, triple $90. http://www.olembia.com.au/
- The Ritz for Backpackers, 169 Fitzroy St (near Princes St), St Kilda, 9525 3501 (ritz@backpackerscentre.com). 24-hour reception. Located above the Elephant and Wheelbarrow hotel. You can park in the carpark behind the hotel overnight, officially till 8am but you will probably get away with parking there a bit longer. http://www.backpackerscentre.com/ritz/index
- St Kilda Coffee Palace, 24 Grey St (between Fitzroy St and Dalgety St), St Kilda, 9534 5283, 1800 654 098.
[edit] Mid-Range
[edit] Contact
There are now a number of cheap internet cafes in Acland Street to add to the multitude found on Fitzroy St.
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