Little Penguin at St Kilda Pier and Breakwater

St Kilda Pier and Breakwater

St Kilda Pier and Breakwater

St Kilda Pier and Breakwater

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Little Penguins

St Kilda Pier and Breakwater

St Kilda Pier and Breakwater sits within an Aboriginal cultural landscape. Parks Victoria respects the deep and continuing connection that Traditional Owners have to these lands and waters, and we recognise their ongoing role in caring for Country.

The St Kilda Breakwater is home to a colony of Little Penguins. The isolation of the breakwater is an ideal location for them to live. Just before dusk, you can view the colony coming ashore from the promenade on the St Kilda Breakwater. A viewing platform is accessible at the head of the pier, however, it can be very busy at times. We recommend visiting during weeknights to reduce traffic and for the protection of the penguins.

We hope you enjoy your visit, but please remember for the penguins health and safety:

  • No handling or feeding of the penguins.
  • No flash photography of the penguins or any torches shone on the penguins without a red filter over the front.
  • Dogs and cats are prohibited past the entry gate into the penguin viewing area. Assistance dogs are the exception.
  • Accessing, climbing or sitting on the rocks is prohibited.
  • Entering and staying in the area past the fence on the breakwater is prohibited.
  • No littering. Please take your rubbish with you.
  • Keep at least 3 metres away from penguins moving around the viewing area.

Parks Victoria works closely with Earthcare St Kilda in the protection and management of the Little Penguins. Interested volunteers can find out more at www.parkconnect.vic.gov.au.

The Little Penguin and Rakali are protected under the Wildlife Act 1975, and it is prohibited to interfere with the animals or their habitat.

If there is a wildlife emergency, please contact the Zoos Victoria Marine Response Unit on 1300 245 678.

Things to do

 
Sunset on St Kilda Pier with views of the CBD in the background.

St Kilda Pier and Breakwater

St Kilda Pier and the Breakwater offers panoramic views of the Melbourne skyline and Port Phillip Bay, and is a popular destination for a stroll and fishing.
Boats moored in Port Phillip in front of Melbourne's skyline.

Boating and St Kilda Harbour

West of the Pier is a shared windsports zone for kiteboarding, paddle boarding and windsurfing. St Kilda Harbour is a vibrant place offering great experiences for tourists, local residents and recreational boaters.
A couple walks along St Kilda Pier

The Kiosk at St Kilda Pier

The Kiosk, also known as Parer’s Pavilion, is at the heart and centre of St Kilda Pier, offering food and beverages 7 days a week. Sadly, the historic Kiosk burnt down on 11 September 2003, but the newly built kiosk was constructed in accordance with the original plans from 1904. The building has been listed on the Victorian Heritage Register since 1984. The Kiosk restaurant is aptly named Little Blue, as it is the only Melbourne venue fully surrounded by Port Phillip.
A mother and daughter linger at the end of a pier on the Mallacoota Inlet

Piers and jetties

Stroll along coastal piers and jetties or cast a line and fish at popular catchment areas in Port Phillip and Western Port.

How to get there

Little Penguins

Trams 12, 16 and 96 stop at St Kilda Pier and these routes can be caught from Melbourne CBD . Alternatively, a train to Balaclava station and a short trip on the number 16 tram will get you there. The 606 bus, between Elsternwick Station and Fisherman's Bend (Port Melbourne), also stops at St Kilda Pier. Visit Public Transport Victoria for more information. St Kilda Pier is found immediately off Jacka Boulevard and The Esplanade, St Kilda. Limited paid parking is available next to the Seabaths, or along main roads.

Need to know

Little Penguins

Change of Conditions

Nature being nature, sometimes conditions can change at short notice. It’s a good idea to check this page ahead of your visit for any updates.

  • Notices Affecting Multiple Sites

    Work is underway to rebuild the iconic St Kilda Pier. This is a significant project so some closures and disruptions apply

    The St Kilda Pier redevelopment is a significant project, so disruptions, noise and closures are expected. 
    The penguin viewing area and Pier Breakwater are closed. Penguin viewing will reopen following completion of the St Kilda Pier Redevelopment project. 
    To keep up to date with the latest project information and impacts please sign up to the project mailing list via parks.vic.gov.au/projects/melbourne-region/st-kilda-pier-redevelopment

  • St Kilda Pier and Breakwater (St Kilda Pier and Breakwater, Local Port of Port Phillip)

    St Kilda Pier outer public berths temporarily closed

    The outer public berths at St Kilda Pier are temporarily closed from Saturday 17th December 2022, awaiting some minor repairs to the floating pontoon.

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Get up close and personal with some of Australia's shy native wildlife or look up to spot tree-dwelling mammals and flocks of colourful birds,
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Entry to the Grey-headed Flying‐fox walking trail and access to the viewing platform is via Bellbird Picnic Area.Visitors to the trail will learn about the flying-foxes through interpretive signage and experience the animals in their natural environment.Grey‐headed Flying‐foxes can be seen roosting in the park during the day and at sunset they create a unique spectacle when they "fly‐out" in large numbers.
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Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve

Explore this massive volcanic feature by taking one of the five self-guided walks. Each has a different theme. Enjoy a picnic, spot some local wildlife and learn about the Aboriginal heritage of the area at the Worn Gundidj Visitor Centre.
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