FREE St Kilda Walking Tour

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Posted 2018-06-06 by Nadine Cresswell-Myatt ⇒ follow

If you are local, you probably know a lot about Melbourne's CBD but the suburb of St Kilda is another matter. Perhaps you don't live over that side of town, or only visit semi-regularly, so don't know where to spot penguins, where the mafia bosses reigned, or where to soak in a heated salt water pool whilst staring out over the ocean.

Which is why I wanted to alert you to these new, free (or at least pay-what-you-feel-like) walking tours. Walks101 is one of the increasing numbers of tourist companies popping up in major cities. Such companies believe walking tours should be available to everyone - regardless of budget.

So this tour is for you, whether you are sightseeing on a budget, a well-heeled tourist or a local who just wants to know more about your own city and like getting a good walk in.

This walking tour takes you to one of Melbourne's most picturesque suburbs with its palm trees, a popular beach and iconic sunsets. It also has a significant nautical history. Did you know, for example, that St Kilda was named after the Lady of St Kilda schooner that moored there in 1841?

The architecture is unique as this is where the wealthy built their elaborate Victorian and Edwardian mansions. Many of which later became rooming houses with mixed reputations as St Kilda became Melbourne's red-light district following WWII.

Cheap lodgings also attracted Melbourne's bohemians such as artists and musicians. With music venues on so many corners, it gave birth to a unique and vibrant punk subculture. St Kilda has also long been home to a considerable LGBT community.

You will learn all about the history and important sites as you move along this 2.5-hour walk. There's Luna Park and the historic St Kilda Pier. You can explore the Victorian sea baths, the beautiful art deco architecture and try to spot wild penguins. Over 1000 little penguins call the St Kilda breakwater home, nesting in burrows underneath or behind rocks.

That's right, no need to go all the way to Phillip Island for penguin spotting. You'll also learn about mafia history, the Solar System Trail that starts with a sculpture of the sun in St Kilda and the St Kilda Foreshore Promenade that is such a great place for watching people on their skateboards, out rollerblading, or jogging and cycling

The tour concludes near the St. Kilda Pier, where you will learn about the wild penguins nesting nearby and visit the historic sea bath with its stunning sunset views. Here you can also relax over dinner as the sun sets over the water.