Bayside residents may enjoy the vast blue waters of Port Phillip Bay — but there are a lot of gems on land, too.
Some are instantly recognisable — like Luna Park and the Brighton beach boxes — but the real finds fly under the radar. They’re found away from the beach in the quieter streets of St Kilda and the shopping villages of Brighton and Elwood.
To help you locate them for yourself, American Express has helped us put together a guide to the local businesses that make the bayside area great. They all accept American Express Card, so you can shop small here — whether you’re a local, a visitor or have just come off the beach.
A number of trams will take you down to St Kilda Beach, otherwise trains travelling down the Sandringham line make stops at Balaclava, Brighton and Hampton along the way. It’s also worth hopping in the car for a scenic drive along the Esplanade and Beach Road, which extends down to Mordialloc.
There are so many things to see and do in the bayside suburbs, so be sure to explore the heritage-registered St Kilda Botanic Gardens and play a game on the giant chess board, and then cycle the Bay Trail down to Black Rock for dinner at Cerberus Beach House overlooking Half Moon Bay.
You’re sure to make some good finds in the shopping strips at Elwood Village and Glen Eira Road in Ripponlea, while Brighton is sprinkled with stores on Martin, Bay and Church streets. Make a day of it in St Kilda, exploring Fitzroy, Acland and Carlisle streets, and watching the sun set from St Kilda Pier.
Two words: the beach. You can’t go past Elwood’s Point Ormond, which, before European settlement, was site for social gatherings of the traditional owners of the land, the Boonwurrung people. Now it’s used by locals for bike rides and sunset picnics with a feed from Ormond Road.
THE SHOPPING LISTS
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ShopSeagulls of St Kilda
179B Barkly Street, St Kilda
Where to go for high-end fashion in the bayside suburb.
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ShopStorehouse
100 Barkly Street, St Kilda
A treasure trove of clothes, accessories and art from local designers.
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ShopScout House
161 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda
Scout no more — this St Kilda shop has all the furniture and homewares you need.
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ShopThe Leaf Store
111 Ormond Road, Elwood
Feel good about your weekly shop and eat better with fresh produce from this Elwood grocer.
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ShopStep Ahead Shoes
387/389 Glen Huntly Road, Elsternwick
This Elsternwick shoe shop has a loyal customer base and, with more than three decades of experience, it's easy to see why.
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ShopMercantile Home
307 Glen Huntly Road, Elsternwick
This bayside gem will ensure you never go without timeless design pieces for your home.
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ShopStoned Crystals
Shop 3, 174 Hotham Street, Elsternwick
A fresh and modern Elsternwick boutique for crystals, homewares and jewellery.
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ShopElwood Flowers
99 Ormond Road, Elwood
Fresh seasonal floristry in the bayside suburb of Elwood.
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ShopThe Staple Store
19 Glen Eira Road, Ripponlea
This Ripponlea beauty is packed with health foods and organic products carefully selected by a naturopath.
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ShopPash Flowers & Homewares
403 Bay Street, Brighton
A modern florist and gift shop conveniently located on Bay Street.
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ShopBrighton Bay Cellars
280 Bay Street, Brighton
A suburban bottle shop with an inner city selection.
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ShopTop Titles
Shop 3, Dendy Plaza, 26 Church Street, Brighton
This friendly neighbourhood bookseller is truly part of the Brighton community.
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ShopSole Mechanics
481 Hampton Street, Hampton
Let your feet do their thing with natural movement footwear.
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ShopHamish & Grace
29 Carpenter Street, Brighton
Fashion, homewares and stuff for kids from Australian designers and creatives.
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