St. Kilda Beach: A Melbourne Gem

St. Kilda Beach, with its smooth, 700-meter stretch of flat sand, is the most beautiful and famous beach in Melbourne. In the hot summer, the elevated coastal areas of St. Kilda become even more enticing with their refreshing breezes. Located just 6 kilometers from Melbourne City center, St. Kilda is a suburb of Melbourne within the City of Port Phillip. Since the Edwardian and Victorian eras, many magnificent villas have sprung up along the hill and riverside, as this area was favored by Melbourne's elite. The area had several different names until 1841, when it was officially named St. Kilda, and it became a municipality in 1857. That same year, the railway line connecting Melbourne and Windsor brought many visitors to St. Kilda.

By the 1860s, there were about 15 hotels serving tourists in the area. In 1888 and 1891, tram lines from Melbourne to St. Kilda Road, St. Kilda Junction, and later Wellington and Fitzroy Street were opened. Between 1870 and 1890, the population more than doubled to around 19,000 people. St. Kilda became bustling with large villas and magnificent seaside hotels. Further inland, East St. Kilda and West St. Kilda (formerly swamps, reclaimed in the 1870s) were lower and more modest areas with many small houses.

Nearly year-round, St. Kilda attracts many visitors. It boasts numerous attractions such as Luna Park, the Esplanade Hotel, Acland Street, and Fitzroy Street. St. Kilda is also known for its diverse cultural activities and is the hometown of many famous artists. Visitors can explore renowned theaters, attend major events and festivals in Melbourne, and, most notably, enjoy St. Kilda Beach with its 700-meter stretch of smooth, flat sand. During the hot summer, the elevated coastal areas of St. Kilda are even more appealing with their fresh breezes. The beach is bustling like a festival, with tourists swimming, enjoying the fresh air, and relaxing on the sand or grassy areas.

The water quality of this beach has been rated well by Victoria's water quality inspection agency. There are many exciting water sports activities such as surfing, sailing, kiteboarding, rollerblading, beach volleyball, jet skiing, and water skiing. Visitors can watch sports tournaments and cultural events held on the beach and in nearby parks. Alongside the main coastal road, there is also a pedestrian path and a separate bike path, making it convenient for visitors to stroll. This area also hosts lively and exciting marathon and cycling races.

 

In the afternoon, St. Kilda becomes even more captivating. In the golden evening light, the coastal scenery takes on a uniquely enchanting beauty. The strong breezes and cool sunlight are very pleasant, allowing one to gaze far out to sea without being dazzled. Across the bay are the tightly packed high-rise buildings of Melbourne City, with the Eureka Tower, the tallest building in Melbourne (297 meters), standing out. The evening sun reflects off the golden metal facade at the top of the building, creating a brilliant, lighthouse-like beam of light.

On the long pier jutting out into the sea, St. Kilda Harbour has been developed into an attractive tourist spot. At the end of the pier is the St. Kilda Pavilion, a striking building designed in 1904, featuring kiosks serving Australian fast food, which has long been popular with tourists. The building was destroyed in an arson attack but was rebuilt and later listed as a cultural heritage site of Victoria.

  

From around 5 p.m., the pier becomes increasingly crowded with people strolling, taking pictures, and enjoying the view of the closely docked boats in the deep blue bay at sunset. Even more special is the opportunity to see penguins, a native species much smaller than their Arctic counterparts, which are carefully protected here. They go out to feed and return to the rocky crevices at the end of the pier in the evening. People flock along the wooden walkway leading down to the seaside rocks, curiously and excitedly watching. The clever little penguins often hide well but are occasionally spotted. According to regulations, visitors are not allowed to tease or photograph the penguins with flash, as the light can blind them. In the twilight, you can't take pictures without a flash, so your only option is to... peek at them in the crevices!

As I returned to the beginning of the pier, I encountered a curious sight: seagulls flapping their wings in place above people's heads for a long time, much to the delight of onlookers taking pictures. It turned out that some visitors were throwing bread into the air, and the birds skillfully snatched it mid-flight, occasionally diving down to pick up crumbs from the wooden deck. Unintentionally, they created a unique and impressive performance that left a lasting memory of St. Kilda.

Author: Vu Thanh

 

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