Little Penguins

A small penguin stands on a sandy beach

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Little Penguins

St Kilda Pier and Breakwater

Please note the St Kilda Pier Breakwater and penguin view area are currently closed as part of the major St Kilda Pier Redevelopment.

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.

Victoria is fortunate in having several penguin rookeries along the coast where penguins can be easily observed. St Kilda Pier Breakwater is the closest place to view penguins near the CBD. The following guidelines are intended to both protect penguins and to allow you to see them under natural conditions. Please be sure you are familiar with them before visiting.

Penguin Watching Guidelines

  • Do not handle or feed 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 on St Kilda Breakwater.
  • Accessing, climbing or sitting on the rocks is prohibited.
  • 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. Expressions of interest are now open for St Kilda Pier kiosk. The kiosk operation will contribute to and enhance the unique and engaging experience offered to visitors of the St Kilda Pier precinct.
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.
St Kilda Pier and Breakwater

When you're there

St Kilda is a lot more than just a pier! 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. The Rakali are known to eat various marine life, such as fish and crustaceans. Like all Australian wildlife, you should not attempt to touch or handle the Rakali and keep a reasonable distance away.

Need to know

Little Penguins

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.

  • Notices Affecting Multiple Sites

    The new St Kilda Pier is now open - Demolition of old pier now underway

    As of December 2024, the new St Kilda Pier is open to the public. Demolition of the old pier is now underway. As we work on removing the old pier, users of the Bay Trail should be mindful of temporary detours around the foreshore construction compound. 

    St Kilda Kiosk and the penguin viewing area experience will reopen shortly. 

    There is a 100-metre marine exclusion zone around the demolition project worksite – enacted as on water works are underway to support the demolition of the old pier.  Vessels and swimmers must not enter this zone. 

    Attachments: St Kilda Demolition Works Set Aside 2024 (187KB)

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Wildlife viewing

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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Grey Headed Flying Fox

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.
Two men discuss the formation of the crater at Tower Hill.

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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