Explore
St Kilda Pier and Breakwater
Offering panoramic views of the Melbourne skyline and Port Phillip, St Kilda Pier and Breakwater is a popular destination for a stroll and fishing. While on the pier enjoy a snack from the heritage kiosk or try to spot the penguins and rakali (native water rats) from the breakwater.
St Kilda Pier dates back to the mid 1800’s as an early working jetty. The breakwater was later constructed for the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, as a safe harbour for sailing events. You may notice the start tower at the end of the Breakwater, still in use to this day.
The St Kilda Ferry departs from St Kilda Pier at the lower-landing near the start of the pier. The popular ferry travels between St Kilda Pier, Gem Pier in Williamstown, and Station Pier in Port Melbourne. Bookings are recommended. The ferry timetable can be found at www.stkildaferry.com.au
As piers and jetties are within a natural environment, you may encounter hazards. Follow our water safety advice to make sure your day out at St Kilda Pier and Breakwater is a safe and enjoyable one. Jumping and diving off the pier and other structures is prohibited for public safety, due to shallow areas and often unexpected submerged objects.
Things to do
Little Penguins
The Kiosk at St Kilda Pier
Boating and St Kilda Harbour
Piers and jetties
St Kilda Pier and Breakwater
This area is well known for its wildlife. Keep an eye out for:
Tours and adventure experiences in parks
One of the best ways you can get into nature is with a Licensed Tour Operator.
There are more than 400 Licensed Tour Operators across Victoria who are ready and waiting to help you experience and connect with Victoria’s spectacular parks and waterways.
Discover more than 60 different types of nature-based experiences including hiking, mountain biking, boating, four-wheel driving, indigenous culture tours, birdwatching, surfing, diving and so much more.
Licensed Tour Operators know all the best places to go and will plan and prepare your visit to ensure you are safe and can enjoy your nature-based adventure to the fullest.
How to get there
St Kilda Pier and Breakwater
When you're there
We hope you enjoy your visit, so please remember:
- Rubbish bins are not provided on the pier or breakwater and all litter must be taken with you.
- Jumping and diving off the pier and other structures is prohibited for public safety, due to shallow areas and often, unexpected submerged objects.
- Dogs are permitted on the pier structure but must be kept on a lead at all times. Dogs and other pets are prohibited from the breakwater.
- Alcohol possession and consumption is prohibited on St Kilda Pier and Breakwater.
Nearby attractions
St Kilda is a lot more than just a pier! The nearby Catani Gardens or the Botanical Gardens are unique and special places, and St Kilda's beaches are usually quick to fill up over the warmer months. Albert Park is also nearby, offering a beautiful lake, walks, golfing, and other recreational activities.
Nearby Fitzroy Street has a wealth of food and shopping choices to discover. Famous Luna Park is right around the corner, offering a day of fun for families and individuals with rides and a carnival-like atmosphere!
Rakali
During your visit, you may be fortunate enough to spot a Rakali! The Rakali is a native water rat, found at some piers, jetties and other structures along the coastline of Port Phillip and our waterways. They appear at all times of the day, but are very shy creatures and are usually tucked into the dark corners of structures and flora. Rakali are known to eat marine life such as fish and crustaceans. Like all Australian wildlife, you should not attempt to touch or handle Rakali and keep a reasonable distance away.
When to go
Bustling harbour activity with boats and plenty of sailing events.
Need to know
St Kilda Pier and Breakwater
Accessibility
Visiting a park can be more of a challenge for people with disabilities, however, in Victoria there are a wide range of facilities to help people of all abilities enjoy our wonderful parks around the state.
Assistance dogs are welcome in Parks Victoria parks and reserves. Entry requirements apply for parks and reserves that are usually dog prohibited, such as national parks.
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.
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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
How we keep it special
Parks Victoria is the local port manager of Port Phillip, but a number of government departments and agencies share responsibility for our bays, rivers and ports.
Find out how we all look after this special place, including information about boating and swimming zones, moorings and berths, notices to mariners and more, from our Water management section.
As per the Port Management (Local Ports) Regulations 2015, areas of St Kilda Breakwater have set aside regulations to restrict dogs and cats. Please refer to the Regulation Areas Set Aside in St Kilda Pier and Breakwater document.
St Kilda Pier Redevelopment Project
Work is underway to rebuild the iconic St Kilda Pier. Once complete, the new pier will feature public access for the community and visitors out onto the bay, improved views of St Kilda and the city skyline, better protection and viewing area for the Little Penguins, a wider disability compliant walkway, new toilets, tiered seating and preservation of the precinct’s heritage features.
