Melbourne has a new crown jewel after the St Kilda Pier, one of Australia’s most famous destinations, received a major glow-up just in time for thousands of Melbournians to enjoy the summer!
Featuring a 450-metre-long curved timber pier (sourced from recycled Kennedys Timber hardwoods – which has a 20-year history with the pier), the $53m Parks Victoria restoration took three years to construct and now has a 50-year design life with support from all levels of government.
“After one of the biggest pier developments in our history, the famous St Kilda Pier is open again for the public to visit,” according to Jacinta Allan, Victoria’s Premier. “I don’t know about you, but to me, that all sounds perfect for those summer days ahead with hot chippy in hand – just look out for those seagulls.”
Unveiled by Melissa Horne, Victoria’s Minister for Ports and Freight, the mark over the pier’s modern and durable design respectfully considers the heritage aspects of the existing pier, including the famous St Kilda Pier Kiosk, which will soon welcome a new operator: “This is one of the biggest pier upgrades in Melbourne’s history – now families, tourists, and locals can make the most of this stunning redevelopment just in time for summer.”
Wood Central understands the new pier—estimated to welcome more than 830,000 visitors in its first year—provides a safer and more accessible space for the public and improved views of the St Kilda and Melbourne skylines. It also includes tiered seating, additional toilets, a new community space near the St Kilda Pier Kiosk, and better protection for the Little Penguins.
In total, more than 240 steel piles and 500 concrete segments, weighing in at more than 6,000 tonnes, were used to strengthen the pier, all supported by more than 8,800 native hardwood deck-boards and 65,000 screws which together cover the boardwalk: “St Kilda Pier is already one of Melbourne’s most treasured landmarks, and this redevelopment will make it even more special for the hundreds of thousands of Victorians and tourists who flock here each year,” according to Nina Taylor, the local member for Albert Park.
Why the pier is so important to Melbourne’s identity.
The pier dates back to the mid-1800s when it was an early working jetty. Today, the foreshore operates as a busy ferry and tour thoroughfare, connecting St Kilda to Port Melbourne and Williamstown. In addition, the St Kilda Breakwater is home to a colony of 1400 Little Penguins – making it one of Melbourne’s most popular tourist destinations.
