St KILDA, VICTORIA

St Kilda is an Inner Southern suburb of Melbourne, Australia, 6 km south from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Port Phillip. During the 2006 census its population was 16,122 people.

St Kilda was named after a schooner Lady of St Kilda (which moored at the main beach for much of 1841) by Charles La Trobe and the ship's master and early settler Lieutenant James Ross Lawrence.

During the Edwardian and Victorian eras, St Kilda became a favored suburb of Melbourne's elite, and many palatial mansions were constructed along its hills and waterfront. Shortly after the turn of the 20th century, St Kilda served a similar function for Melburnians as did Coney Island to the residents of New York City and its history draws an interesting parallel. Densely populated postwar St Kilda became Melbourne's red-light district, home to low-cost rooming houses. Since the late 1960s, St Kilda became known for its culture of bohemianism as home to many prominent artists, musicians and subcultures, including punks, LGBT and techno scene. While some of these groups still maintain a presence in St Kilda, in recent years the district has experienced rapid gentrification pushing many lower socio-economic groups out to other areas.

St Kilda is home to many of Melbourne's famous visitor attractions including Luna Park, the Esplanade Hotel, Acland Street and Fitzroy Street. It is home to St Kilda Beach, Melbourne's most famous beach, several renowned theatres and several of Melbourne's big events and festivals.

How to get there
By tram: Number 16 from Swanston Street, Number 96 from Bourke Street, or Number 112 from Collins Street (around 25 minutes) to St Kilda; Number 3 from Swanston Street to Carlisle Street (around 35 minutes) and Alma Road (around 40 minutes).