Places & Spaces

Tourist Attractions

St Kilda, South Melbourne, Port Melbourne, Albert Park, Middle Park, Elwood and Ripponlea are great suburbs to visit in inner Melbourne (or the City of Port Phillip). They are located around Port Phillip Bay in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

The City of Port Phillip has many tourist attractions including excellent beaches, some of Melbourne's best shopping precincts, cafes and restaurants, famous parks and gardens, international sporting facilities, galleries and theatres. . .

Maps

New visitor map
Visitor map with key precincts in St Kilda and surrounds

Public transport

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Tram 16 from CBD (St Kilda - 20 mins)
Tram 96 from Bourke St, (St Kilda - 22 mins)
Tram 112 (South Melbourne - 12 mins)
Tram 109 (Port Melbourne - 15 mins)
Tram 1 (Albert Park - 25 mins)

Accommodation

Only 20 minutes from Melbourne's CBD on Tram 16, St Kilda and surrounds is the place to stay for bayside atmosphere, evocative heritage, cultural diversity and artistic expression. It is illegal to park your campervan on the foreshore, pls see the handy accommodation suggestions leaftet.

There are plenty of accommodation options in St Kilda and surrounds, from up market backpackers and boutique hotels to bed and breakfasts and self-contained apartments. See the Port Phillip Business Directory.

1 to 3 day itineraries

Cool Hunting itinerary
Cultural Discovery itinerary
Fashion and Fun itinerary
Luxury and Indulgence itinerary
Freefalling Around Melbourne

Beaches and foreshore

Our spectacular foreshore extends for 11.6 kilometres from Port Melbourne, through St Kilda to Elwood. Our beaches are among the most popular in Melbourne for recreation and provide an important habitat for indigenous vegetation and wildlife. See the Local Beaches page for details.

Cafes & Restaurants

Looking for somewhere to eat? Port Phillip has a wide range of restaurants, cafes and take away food businesses right across the municipality. Search the Port Phillip Business Directory for Cafes and Restaurants.

Festivals and Major Events

Some of Melbourne's most celebrated and innovative cultural festivals and major events including the St Kilda Festival, St Kilda Film Festival and the Australian Formula One Grand Prix are held in St Kilda and surrounds. Visit Festivals & Events for details.

Luna Park

Luna Park is one of Port Phillip's oldest and most famous icons, which opened to the public in 1912 and has been providing rides and entertainment ever since. From the jaw dropping, eye ball popping super thrill rides like the Pharaoh’s Curse, Metropolis and the Enterprise, to the exhilarating rides like the Spider, Twin Dragon, G force and Shock Drop, you’re bound to have an awesome time!

Located: 18 Lower Esplanade St Kilda
Opening Hours (Summer):Friday 7.00pm-11.00pm, Saturday 11.00am-11.00pm, Sunday 11.00am-6.00pm
Opening Hours (Winter):Saturday 11.00am-6.00pm, Sunday 11.00am-6.00pm
Opening Hours (Victorian Government School Holidays): Sunday-Thursday 11.00am-6.00pm, Friday & Saturday 11.00am-11.00pm
Public Holidays: 11.00am-6.00pm
Telephone: General Admission and enquiries -1902 240 112 or functions & parties information - (03) 9525 5033
Fax: (03) 9534 5764
Email: justforfun@lunapark.com.au
Website: www.lunapark.com.au

Single ride tickets: adult (13+) $8.50; child (4-12 years) $6.50; (0-3 years) $3.50
Unlimited ride tickets (available all day): (13+ years) $39.95; (4-12 years) $29.95; (0-3) $12.95
Family Pass: 2 adults (13+ years) and 2 children (4-12 years): $122.95; additional adult: $33.95; additional child: $24.55.

Markets and Shopping

Port Phillip has some of Melbourne's most exciting retail and entertainment areas and is home to the South Melbourne and St Kilda markets. Search the Port Phillip Business Directory for information on local businesses in Port Phillip. For information on our popular markets visit the Markets pages.

Piers

Includes the St Kilda Pier and Station Pier. Station Pier is Melbourne's premier sea passenger terminal and accommodates visiting cruise ships, the Spirit of Tasmania, navy ships and tall ships. Visit Water Transport for details.

Parks and Gardens

The City of Port Phillip is home to 176 hectares of parkland and open space. The major parks and gardens include Albert Park Lake, Alma Park, Catani Gardens, GasWorks Park, St Kilda Botanical Gardens and St Vincent Gardens. Visit Parks & Trees for details.

Penguins

A large colony of Little Penguins - about 20,000 - live in the sand hills at Phillip Island. Island penguins sometimes travel the 120 kilometres to Port Phillip Bay on feeding trips. It is thought that on one such foraging trip some Phillip Island penguins found the St. Kilda breakwater and stayed. Visit St Kilda Penguins on the EcoCentre website for details.

Sporting Facilities

The Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre in Albert Park has excellent sporting & recreation amenities including seven pools, a health and fitness centre, 10 basketball courts, 10 squash courts, a play creche and a whole lot more. Visit Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre's website or the Sports & Recreation page for details.

St Kilda Sea Baths

St Kilda Sea Baths is an intrinsic part of Melbourne’s culture and is a unique place to experience.

With top St Kilda restaurants, bars, gymnasium, sea water pool, award winning day spa and cafés it is in an exceptional position on Melbourne’s most famous beach, St Kilda.

The historic St Kilda Sea Baths was established in the 1850s and is home to Australia's only indoor heated sea-water pool, accompanied with a luxurious hydrotherapy spa and a steam room, it is Melbourne's premier pool facility.

The St Kilda Sea Baths are also home to the South Pacific Health Club. With magnificent bay views, state of the art equipment and a wide variety of programs, it is perfect for all your health, fitness and wellbeing needs.

Want to relax? Why not try the best Day Spa in Australasia. Spa Dreamtime is the Winner of Best Day SPA Australasia as awarded by SpaAsia. Spa Dreamtime offers an urban oasis where you can escape and re-discover inner health and wellbeing. The water front facility combines all the comforts of a 5 star retreat plus more.

Sea Baths is further complemented by the famous Republica – fine food and drinks for St Kilda’s groovoir, right on Melbourne’s most famous beach. Soulmama is a sensory experience and is the Southern Hemispheres leading Global Vegetarian Cafe.

400 plus above and underground car spaces on the beach sit abreast to Beachcomber – a slice of the Mediterranean on the foreshore.

Kite Republic is a passionate water-loving company committed to help everyone learn and pursue Kite boarding. Carrying the some of the world’s best known brands they will help you with tailored equipment recommendations and FREE lessons with equipment packages.

The iconic must see destination for a full day or a quick bite.

Located: 8 Jacka Boulevard, St Kilda
Telephone: (03) 9593 8228
Hours: 5.30am (Gym/ pool) to Late (Restaurants)
Website: www.seabaths.com.au

Theatres and Galleries

A range of theatres and galleries exists in the City of Port Phillip. There are two public galleries, Linden and GasWorks, and over 20 private galleries. There is also range of performing arts spaces including Melbourne's famous Palais Theatre in St Kilda. Visit Theatres & Galleries for details.

Neighbouring Councils

The neighbouring local councils each have details for major tourist attractions that are nearby to the City of Port Phillip.

Nearby Attractions

Moonlight Cinema

Open air cinema at the Botanical Gardens. Summer only: Dec 14 - Mar 14, films start at sundown. See the website for details: www.moonlight.com.au

Rippon Lea Estate Homestead

Rippon Lea is the last of Australia's great privately owned 19th century suburban estates. Designed and built 1868 in the Romanesque style, the mansion is surrounded by a beautifully maintained original Victorian Pleasure garden. Location: 192 Hotham St, Elsternwick. Open: Daily 10am to 5pm Closed: Good Friday & Christmas Day
Enquiries: 03 9523 6095 or visit the Rippon Lea section on the National Trust website at: http://www.nattrust.com.au/

Royal Botanical Gardens

The Royal Botanic Gardens are among the most beautiful of places in all of Melbourne. Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne is located Birdwood Avenue, South Yarra, Victoria, Australia, open 7.30am to 5.30pm. Admission is free. Phone: (613) 9252 2300 or visit the website: www.rbg.vic.gov.au

19th century iron houses - South Melbourne

There are three houses on Coventry Street that are among the few 19th century prefabricated iron buildings remaining in the world.

An audiovisual tour provides a comprehensive account of the importance of these buildings in the history of white settlement in Australia and during the gold rush years in Victoria.

Location: 399 Coventry Street, South Melbourne, Melway Map Ref: 2J K2
Public Transport: Tram No. 96 West from Bourke Street to South Melbourne Station.
Open: First Sunday of each month from 1pm - 4pm or weekday groups by appointment only.
Closed: 20 December to 6 January.
Inquiries: (03) 9645 7517 and (03) 9699 2172
Website: http://www.nattrust.com.au/

Shrine of Remembrance

The Shrine of Remembrance was built between July 1928 and November 1934 in remembrance of those 114,000 men and women of Victoria who served and those who died in the Great War of 1914-1918. 89,100 of them served overseas and 19,000 did not return. The Shrine is the centre of Melbourne's annual ANZAC Day Service which is attended by thousands of people. The Shrine is located on St Kilda Road, Melbourne. Hours: Mon-Sun 9:00am-5:00pm. Admission is Free. Tours and Group Bookings Telephone: (03) 9654 8415 or visit the website: www.shrine.org.au

Southbank

Southbank is set on the south-side riverbank of Melbourne. Visit Southbank for Melbourne's popular restaurants, shopping and the Sunday art and craft market. Southbank is easily accessible to public transport with Flinders Street Station directly opposite and trams available on Swanston Street.

Victorian Arts Centre

Located in the heart of Melbourne's leisure and entertainment precinct, performances of theatre, music and dance can be seen in 6 world-class venues located within the Victorian Arts Centre. These include the State Theatre, George Fairfax Studio, The Playhouse, Black Box, Melbourne Concert Hall, Sidney Myer Music Bowl.

There is a unique diversity of arts and entertainment choices all year round as it is the home to Opera Australia, The Australian Ballet, Melbourne Theatre Company, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Musica Viva, The Bell Shakespeare Company and Australian Chamber Orchestra, as well as a variety of international and local touring performances.

The Arts Centre also offers shopping, eating and exhibitions to appeal to every age, taste and budget.

The Victorian Arts Centre is located at 100 St Kilda Rd Melbourne VIC 3004.

Phone: 61 3 9281 8000 Fax: 61 3 9281 8282 Website: www.vicartscentre.com.au

Phillip Island

Phillip Island is located in Western Port Bay and is in the Bass Coast Shire, see the website for details at: www.basscoast.vic.gov.au.

Looking for Something in Port Phillip?

Search the following websites:

Visit Victoria - www.visitvictoria.com.au has tourist information for the whole of Victoria, including Melbourne. Information about accommodation from backpacker to 5- Star luxury, Major Victorian events, Major Victorian attractions, online accommodation booking, a personal trip planner and more.

Business Directory - Your direct link to over 5,000 local businesses and services listed in the Yellow Pages® Online. The Business Directory lists most of the businesses in Port Phillip.

Melbourne City Search - www.melbourne.citysearch.com.au focuses mainly on Melbourne and has details of restaurants, hotels, weather, sports, entertainment, arts, museums, movies, theatre, visitor information, and shopping in Melbourne.

More Information

Contact us or use eServices to ask us a question, request information or give us feedback online. If you prefer phone ASSIST on (03) 9209 6777 and ask for Economic Development & Tourism.