There’s something about a beachside suburb that cultivates a special atmosphere. Perhaps it’s the open water views, or the diversity of a metropolis on the edge of the ocean. But ever since the railway was built in 1857, people have been flocking to St Kilda.
In summer the beachfront is magnetic; locals and visitors walk, ride, scooter and cycle along the waterfront. Architectural relics such as the Palais Theatre and Luna Park abut contemporary designs such as the Stokehouse in a melding of old and new.
A handful of health-focused cafes sate the good intentions of an early summer morning, though there’s nothing more pleasing than sinking an icy beer over a late lunch of fish and chips along the water’s edge. The suburb has an abundance of bars and pubs pairing food with drink, from wine and cheese, to tacos and mojitos, and burgers with beers. And with locals and tourists alike winding up and down Acland Street of a warm summer evening, the atmosphere can easily turn to party vibes on a weekend – even as the foreshore remains a laid-back oasis.
