St Kilda, with its eclectic mix of beachside charm and vibrant urban culture, is a beloved suburb of Melbourne. Whether you're heading to the beach, Luna Park, or one of the many cafes and boutiques, finding the perfect parking spot can be a bit of a challenge. This guide by Drive mate your Aussie car rental aims to make your parking experience in St Kilda smooth and hassle-free, with detailed information on the best places to park, the costs involved, and tips for avoiding fines, so let's start!
Street Parking in St Kilda
Street parking in St Kilda can be a bit of a game, especially near the beach precinct. The City of Port Phillip has designated permit zones in many back streets, which are strictly for local residents. Don't assume you'll easily find a park in these areas unless you have the appropriate permit.
However, there are still plenty of streets with metered parking. The hourly rates range from $1.90 to $5.40, depending on the location and time of day. Before heading out, it’s a good idea to check the City of Port Phillip’s list of ticket machines, which provides comprehensive information about local street parking. Remember to read the street signs carefully and allow yourself plenty of time to find a spot if you plan to rely on street parking.
Acland Court Car Park
Acland Court Car Park is an excellent option for off-street parking in St Kilda. Located on the southern side of the precinct, it offers convenient access to the beach, Luna Park, and the Palais Theatre. The car park operates from 6:00 am to midnight daily, and you can get a discount if you shop at Coles (spend at least $15 to get the first hour free).
Here are the casual parking rates at Acland Court Car Park:
Parking Duration | Rate |
|---|---|
0-1 hr | $3.00 |
1-2 hrs | $8.00 |
2-2.5 hrs | $12.00 |
2.5-3 hrs | $15.00 |
3+ hrs | $18.00 |
For early risers, there’s an Early Bird Special: a $7 flat rate if you enter the car park before 10:00 am and exit after 3:00 pm.
Albert Park Reserve
Albert Park Reserve, home to Albert Park Lake and a range of sporting facilities, is another great parking option, especially if you plan to spend the day. The parking rates might seem high initially, but the daily cap makes it quite affordable.
Time Slot | Rate |
|---|---|
Weekday hourly rate | $5.20 per hour |
Weekdays after 5 pm flat rate | $5.20 |
Weekday maximum all-day rate | $12.50 per day |
Weekends flat rate fee | $5.20 per day |
While it's a bit of a walk, you can stroll from Albert Park Reserve to the St Kilda beachfront, making it a viable option for a day at the beach.
Metropol – 60 Fitzroy Street
Metropol car park, located just behind Woolworths, offers affordable hourly rates and is only a short distance from St Kilda Beach. There are only 65 parking spaces, so have a backup plan in case it’s full. The car park operates from 6:30 am to 3:00 am on Fridays and Saturdays, and 6:30 am to midnight on other days.
Parking rates at Metropol are:
Parking Duration | Rate |
|---|---|
Casual parking (4hr maximum stay): | |
0-1 hr | $2.00 |
1-2 hrs | $5.00 |
2-4 hrs | $8.00 |
Evening parking: | |
0-1 hr | $2.00 |
1+ hr | $8.00 |
Note - You can get a refund for your first hour's parking if you shop at IGA and present your receipt.
Fitzroy Street Precinct
The Fitzroy Street Precinct is one of the busiest areas in St Kilda, but it also offers some of the cheapest street parking options. The City of Port Phillip Council reduced the rates back in 2017, making it a budget-friendly choice for casual street parking.
To access discounted street parking, look for spots in the following areas:
Location | Summer Rates (Oct-Mar) | Winter Rates (Apr-Sep) |
|---|---|---|
Fitzroy Street between Acland Street & St Kilda Road | $3.80 per hour, $8.70 maximum | $1.80 per hour, $8.70 maximum |
Park Street & Loch Street between Mary Street and Fitzroy Street | $3.80 per hour, $8.70 maximum | $1.80 per hour, $8.70 maximum |
Park Lane & Canterbury Road between West Beach Road and Fitzroy Street | $3.80 per hour, $8.70 maximum | $1.80 per hour, $8.70 maximum |
West Beach Road between Park Street & Canterbury Road | $3.80 per hour, $8.70 maximum | $1.80 per hour, $8.70 maximum |
Pattison Street between St Kilda Road & Princes Street | $3.80 per hour, $8.70 maximum | $1.80 per hour, $8.70 maximum |
Additional Parking Spots
For more flexibility, here are some additional parking spots around Melbourne that offer free 2-hour parking:
Location | Spots | Note |
|---|---|---|
30-42 May Rd | 79 | City of Stonnington |
Elsternwick Station | 148 | Department of Transport Victoria |
2B Staniland Grove | 73 | Glen Eira City Council |
Glenhuntly Station | 165 | Department of Transport Victoria |
Brighton Beach Station | 158 | Department of Transport Victoria |
Coles Express South Yarra | 15 | Coles Supermarkets Australia Pty Ltd |
Hampton Station | 78 | Department of Transport Victoria |
8-14 King St | Multi-storey | City of Stonnington |
8 Lincoln Place | 78 | City of Stonnington |
Anchor Place | 38 | City of Stonnington |
Ashburton Station | 108 | Department of Transport Victoria |
2 Irwell St | 15 | City of Port Phillip |
4 Belford Street | 82 | City of Port Phillip |
34 Jackson St | 39 | City of Port Phillip |
55 Nelson St | 150 | City of Port Phillip |
Joint the Car Sharing revolution with Drive mate
St Kilda’s parking challenges make it an ideal place to consider car sharing with Drive mate. Whether you're looking to rent a car or share your own vehicle, Drive mate offers a seamless and secure experience.
Renting a Car from Drive mate
Drive mate makes renting a car easy and convenient:
- Variety of Cars: Choose from a wide range of rental cars to suit your needs.
- Flexible Rental Periods: Rent cars for a day, a week, or even longer.
- Easy Booking: The user-friendly platform allows for quick and easy booking.
Sharing Your Car with Drive mate
By sharing your car with Drive mate, you can earn extra income and help reduce the number of cars on the road. Here’s how it works:
1. Sign Up and List Your Car: Register on Drive mate, provide details about your car, upload photos, and set your availability.
2. Set Your Rates: Choose competitive pricing for daily, weekly, and monthly rentals to attract more renters.
3. Earn Money: Start earning money once your car is rented out. Payments are processed quickly, and you can track your earnings through the platform.
Join the Drive mate Community today!
Both renting a car and sharing your car with Drive mate come with these common benefits:
- Insurance Comprehensive: Insurance to give you peace of mind for both car renters and car owners.
- Screening: Drive mate screens all potential renters and car owners, ensuring safety of our closly knit Drive mate community. You can also connect directly with the renter or car owner direcly for any questions or instructions.
- Transparent processes: Quick payment processing and easy tracking of transactions through our Drive mate mobile app, and you can read all our policies direcly from our Drive mate website.
Conclusion
Parking in St Kilda doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. With a bit of planning and information of the available options, you can find convenient and affordable parking spots. Whether you’re a local or have recently moved to the area, this guide provides you with all the details you need to make the most of your visit to St Kilda. And if you own a car, consider sharing it with Drive mate to earn some extra cash while you explore Australia.
Also read:
Surf's Up: Discovering the Best Waves in Australia
Affordable Parking in Melbourne CBD: The Ultimate Guide
The Ultimate Weekend Getaway: Cruising from Melbourne to Phillip Island
