St Kilda is a Melbourne suburb famous for the row of bakeries and cake shops on Acland Steet, Luna Park (an amusement park), and the little blue penguins that nest on the rocks under the main pier.
We love penguins and seeing them was our motivation for a visit late one afternoon. We opted to take an easy tram ride out to the suburb of St Kilda. And as long as we were there, you know we stopped off for a good cup of coffee and some sweets.
Melbourne is a fabulous city. It’s a perfect getaway spot in autumn or springtime.
These Little blue penguins are the world’s smallest species of penguin. They are found only in New Zealand and Southern Australia. To our good fortune, a friend has spent a lot of time with these little penguins, and he gave us a private tour. He used a red light to help us see the animals, while at the same time not disrupting them. It was dark, and the use of flash would be too disruptive to the animals. These are the best of my penguin photos, coupled with a bit of post-production to remove the red lighting:
If you are heading to Melbourne, remember to save time to head out to St. Kilda. It’s only about 6km from the CBD, so a short tram ride. Go hungry, ready for dessert and bring a red torch (flashlight) and a camera.
Jane
Not many people know about the little Penguins at St Kilda, such a surprise that they are there so close to the city. Years ago I went out on a little tour boat to see them, I do not think it operates now, but was a really fabulous trip as we cruised ever so slowly and quietly by the rocks without disturbing the little critters.
Those cake shops….to die for!!
Glad you enjoyed St Kilda Rhonda! (I live in the Dandenong Ranges). x
Corinne
I love those tiny penguins. We went on the full-on tour and weren’t allowed to take photos. Lucky you to have a private viewing.
stevebethere
Those penguins are kind of cute aren’t they and the chocolate bar variety are delicious 😉
Teddy
i never saw a penguin of any kind. mama says they are birds but don’t fly. if they came here maybe i could catch one and mama would let me keep it. she won’t let me keep pigeons i have to let them go.
Kathe W.
awww love penguins! I’ve only seen them in the wild when we were in the Falklands and Chile. Cheers all the way from California!
Rhonda Albom
We have made it to five continents, but still have not made it to South America. One day, I hope. 🙂
Mike Golch
those sweets made my mouth water.
Rhonda Albom
The ones we had were even better than they look, if that’s possible 🙂
Comedy Plus
The penguins are indeed adorable.
As for all the cakes? Wow, I’d have a great time in there.
Have a fabulous day. 🙂
L. Diane Wolfe
The penguins are cute.
Luna Park would’ve sucked me right in.
Rhonda Albom
The penguins are so cute! I am not really a big amusement park fan – except for Disneyland 🙂
Mstraveltipsy
I really liked Melbourn. When I was there we actually stayed in a hotel in St. Kilda and we were very happy with that location. We had a trip to the Aquarium which I loved so I would recommend that too. Here is the link for my Melbourne post if someone should be interested.
http://www.mstraveltipsy.com/2011/07/melbourne.html#axzz3292bW7Ou
Alex J. Cavanaugh
Cool you got away just the two of you. Nice of your friend to take you out to see the penguins.
Rhonda Albom
It was very cool actually, something we hope to make a habbit of soon, or at least do again. 🙂
Lisa Ross
We have a suburb called St. Kilda in Dunedin too and little blue penguins 🙂
Lisa Ross
Here’s the answer according to Wikipedia. Interesting huh?
St Kilda (Australia) 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.
St Kilda, Dunedin was named for the Melbourne suburb by early property developer George Scott, who had arrived in New Zealand from Victoria in 1862. The area previously had the Maori name Whakaherekau.[2]l
Susanna
Happy that you managed to get some photos of the penguins but I wonder how you survived Acland St. I have to shut my eyes when I walk past the cake shops
Barbara Radisavljevic
Imagine you posting penguin photos, LOL! Looking at what that bakery has to offer makes me really hungry!