St Kilda Pier Redevelopment

Works nearing completion – here is your sneak peek! 

The highly anticipated transformation of St Kilda Pier is only months from completion and is set to establish itself as an iconic landmark in Australia’s most liveable city. The project team is working hard to open the new pier in the coming months with final tasks including light poles, completion of the beach access ramp, wave wall, and the land connection at the Bay Trail.   

Timber decking

Get ready to experience Melbourne’s most famous seaside playground like never before. The new pier has been built with a visitor focussed experience, blending modern design with heritage charm, and is sure to be a must-visit destination for locals and tourists.   

Over the next few months, there will be some Bay Trail detours due to continued construction. We continue to work closely with stakeholders and the community to ensure minimal disruption during this major project. For a map of the detours please visit the project website. We have kept the old pier open via a walkway accessible from the northern side. 

Iconic seating

The new pier features a large cascading seated terrace to the water and improved views over the city; in addition to modern additions a key element has been to ensure it reflects the pier’s long maritime heritage. To achieve this, weathered Australian hardwood timber has been used throughout including on the substantial new penguin viewing area and curved timber decking.  

New timber bench seats are being crafted from recycled pier timber, some of which still feature burn marks from the 2004 fire that infamously destroyed the pier’s heritage kiosk.   

This highly anticipated project also features a low-level water access landing constructed near the foreshore, providing easier access to passenger ferries, tour operator vessels and private passenger drop off and pickup for café and beach visits.    

Upcoming works

Over the coming months we’ll continue completing the wave wall installation, penguin boardwalk and completing the landside connection/pier abutment.  

The famous heritage kiosk will welcome a new operator, who in the months following construction completion will conduct a considered fit out before serving great coffee, drinks, snacks, lunch and dinner.   

Later in the year, we’ll start work on removing the old pier. Once the old pier is removed, dredging will take place at the new low landing to allow ferry access.  

Stay tuned for an announcement on the grand opening later this year!  

Changes to the way you move around the pier

St Kilda Pier is in a unique environment, with a long and narrow project site in one of Melbourne’s most popular outdoor playgrounds. Works are being undertaken from trucks, barges, and work boats and involve piling and general construction activities in the water. As we work on the land abutment stage of the works, users of the Bay Trail should prepare for temporary delays and adjustments as concrete works are undertaken. During September and October a detour around the pier abutment (start of the pier) will be in place.  

Please be patient and follow onsite signage and direction from workers. Please also remember: 

• There is an 100m marine exclusion zone around the project worksite – enacted as on water works are underway.  All vessels and swimmers must not enter this zone.  

• A shared wind sports area is located north of St Kilda Pier where kiteboarding and other wind sports are permitted to exceed 5 knots.  

• Speed limits and boating/swimming zones apply around St Kilda Pier - including 5 knot speed zones within 200m from shore and 50m from a structure, another vessel or person.  

• Access to the old pier is currently still permitted for walking, fishing and recreation. Jumping and diving from St Kilda Pier remains illegal and extremely dangerous. Always enter the water from the beach or use ladders provided. Swimmers are encouraged to use the beach adjacent to St Kilda Lifesaving Club 400m south of St Kilda Pier which is patrolled during summer.  

• The breakwater and penguin viewing area are currently closed. 

Project timeline