On a sunny day in Melbourne there is nothing more inviting than the sea breeze and blue water of Port Phillip Bay. St Kilda Beach is not just a beach for swimming and playing around in the shallows, it offers many other things to do in the school holidays, on the weekend or on a special day during the week.
Walking, bike riding, playing are just some of the activities on St Kilda Beach
The sand is a good place to start; running, playing games, doing cartwheels, building sandcastles and splashing in the water are all much more enjoyable on or near the sand. The wooden boardwalk and wide footpath along the shore offer opportunities for bike riding, rollerblading and skateboarding. You just have to watch out for all the other people using the path as well. For the more adventurous and slightly older children, SUPs (Stand Up Paddle boards) and kite surfing at
Kite Republic add an even more exciting element to the day. Lessons for both of these make learning so much easier.
Eating
There are numerous restaurants catering to all tastes and budgets as well as to all times of the day. Along the foreshore,
Republica (Saturday & Sunday 9am till late Monday to Friday 11:30am till late) offers lunches and dinners and each week day has either a special value meal or a special event such as music or beach volleyball.
The Boardwalk Take Out offers bagels, baguettes, healthy snacks, coffee and fresh juices and is the perfect mid-morning stop for refreshments. For lunch why not try the new Stokehouse casual restaurant
Pontoon or the fish and chips shop,
Paper Fish serving fish, chips and salads in its own mini beach environment.
The quintessential Australian fish and chips on the beach
The St Kilda Pier is a Melbourne landmark for a number of reasons. You get a fabulous view of Melbourne skyline, you are visiting a part of Melbourne's heritage and you can even take a
ferry to Williamstown from the pier. You can observe fishermen and their catch from the pier too.
Animal watching
Dogs like St Kilda Beach too and you can see many different kinds of dogs walking or running alongside their owners. There is even a dog bar next to
Donovan's Restaurant where fresh water is provided for thirsty dogs. Talking of fresh water, water stations are common along the foreshore for when you and your children also need rehydrating due to all that activity.
The Dog Bar - fresh water for dogs
Little penguins (the same ones as at Phillip Island) have made the St Kilda breakwater their home. From the Pier, you may see these tiny and very cute animals when they come ashore at dusk. And if you are very lucky you could even find one or two during the day, well hidden amongst the rocks and nooks and crannies of the breakwater.
Little penguins
Now that Acland Stree is a full pedestrian zone, window shopping, shopping, ice cream or cake eating are so much more pleasurable.
Readings is a wondrous book shop for all ages and with a few spaces complete with comfy chairs, why not spent time here choosing your next book to read ? For the littlest readers (ages 2-5) there is Drop in for Story Time, every Saturday, from 10.30am to 11.00am.
For a gift shop with a difference
Urban Attitude is full of cool and quirky giftware, homewares and decorative items. Finding a gift is much easier surrounded by so much choice.
Make sure you look above the street level of shops - you could be in for a surprise.
Surprising St Kilda
A favourite for generations of Melburnians, as well as out-of- town visitors, no visit to St Kilda with children can be complete without a stop
here. Unlimited rides passes ( $17.50 for 0 -3 years old to $49.95 for 13 including adults ) and family passess (149.95 for 4 offer the best value, considering single rides are $10.00.
Over 100 years old, Luna Park offers a fun, carnival atmosphere with iconic rides such as the Scenic Railway Roller Coaster and Circus of Screams. Pharaoh's Curse and Power Surge provide requisite nail-biting, holding on for dear life and high scream quotient rides for those looking for that extra adrenalin rush. Gentler rides, for the youngest and more cautious, such as the Red Baron and Silly Serpent ensure that everyone is happy.
Mr Moon welcomes you to Luna Park Melbourne commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15867901
