The iconic St Kilda Pier was closed for a couple of years as a new pier was built. To walk on St Kilda Pier is a must do for all tourists who visit Melbourne.
I was waiting for a good weather day to take a slow stroll out along the new pier, and looking forward to coffee and cake and the pier kiosk. It was more a cafe the last time I visited. My memories of the pier amused me, because the afternoon I last walked the pier, so too did Ray with his workmate and disability clients. Neither of use knew what the other was doing.
Then with our friend, the former Friend in Japan, we walked the pier and saw penguins among the rocks, and for the first time, a bloke standing on a surfboard and paddling around.
Enough
Here are some photos from my visit. I left the tram at The Esplanade, formerly known as the Upper Esplanade and walked towards the footbridge over Jacka Boulevard, formerly known as the Lower Esplanade.
I am approaching the footbridge.
Looking back at the Esplanade Hotel, The Espy.
And down to Jacka Boulevard.
Covid could be blamed, but I think this kiosk closed down before Covid.
I captured a moment with Jacka Boulevard being empty of cars. What are those blotches on the wall?
There was some finishing up work happening here.
The pier begins in timber.
These two photos look luscious to me. Embiggen them.
The pier is now half concrete and half timber.
An outlying jetty, maybe for fishing or just checking your phone.
A brand new pier and there is already obvious corrosion.
I peered inside and it was totally empty of anything. The pier was busy enough but it was a perfect winter's day. While in summer months the kiosk could make a killing, it is not enough to cover the winter losses.
A nice outdoor seating area. There is also seating on the rooftop.
The pier now goes on much further.
Oh, a swimmer, when the water is very cold and there will be much shrinkage.
Those blotches I mentioned earlier are long time closed vaults. They are so close to the road now, they would be dangerous. But isn't the artwork just wonderful. I'm glad I made the effort to visit the new pier.
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Those are great photos. Luscious light.
ReplyDeleteSuch a shame that beautiful old kiosk is no longer in use. I hope it isn't allowed to rot and decay.
JayCee, I think it will be looked after. It was torched in the early 2000s, and early morning still dark, from my bed I could see all the flashing emergency lights on the pier and the smoke. I guessed what had burnt. It was faithfully rebuilt.
DeleteNothing like a cup of coffee in a nice cafe.
ReplyDeleteSo true Dora.
DeleteI love St Kilda murals there.
ReplyDeleteRoentare, I took photos of what the artwork was there before, but I can't remember what it was now. I like this effort.
DeleteIt looks great! I think I need to visit soon. Bunyip
ReplyDeleteBunyip, I would suggest we, but I've already done it.
DeleteOh my those photos with the reflections of the boats and pier. Those are splendid. Yes shrinkage but his suit is already shrunk quite enough. There is little to imagine.
ReplyDeleteStrayer, there is enough not showing to make the imagination work.
DeleteThe artwork is lovely. Piers are one of my favourite things, though I haven't been to many. I'd like to one day visit a few more, make it a round Australia trip, right after I win lotto, ha ha.
ReplyDeleteRiver, there is a very very long pier in WA, and has a tram running out along it. The place starts with B....not Bunbury or Bundaberg. It will come to me and I will return.
DeleteGot it, Busselton.
DeleteI've not been to Busselton, but brother R and his wife V used to go there every year and rent a cabin or something for a week.
DeleteYes, of course they would know the town. It's probably a nice place to stay, maybe cooler than Perth in the summer.
DeleteI like the artwork there. A very nice pier and what a view to shore. Love the reflections in the photos especially love the yacht one, the fourth from the end...beautiful, Andrew. Lovely photo to put in a frame and hang on the wall.
ReplyDeleteThanks Margaret. While I use auto phone settings, I think it does something to the photos to make them look extra good.
DeleteWhen I wrote https://melbourneblogger.blogspot.com/2024/07/beautiful-stkilda-then-not-so-beautiful.html
ReplyDeleteYou did indeed Hels, and I forgot. It is a wonderful of the old pier.
DeleteI included a photo of the pier as it used to be. So thank you.
ReplyDeleteNice photos and artwork Andrew.
ReplyDeleteSami, the photo should have been a mural post.
DeleteI haven't walked along a pier for a very long time, so thank you for this trip, Andrew.
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome, JB. You are some distance from piers, unless there is a river pier.,
DeleteThat is a lot of pie. Australia is a the other side of the earth from here, but seeing penguins in the wild, might be worth the trip.
ReplyDeleteThey are very cute to watch. I saw them many times when I was young.
DeleteA lovely photographic tour.......I too loved the boats with masts reflected by the water, and waffles too, yum
ReplyDeleteAlison in Devon x
Thanks Alison, and your address has been updated.
DeleteThanks for the trip to the pier! I like your "luscious" photos, but my favorite is the fourth from the bottom, the skyline with the boats in front. That's frame-worthy.
ReplyDeleteSteve, I agree. I was a little premature praising the first I came across.
DeleteI love the photos of the sailboats with their masts reflected in the water.
ReplyDeletePixie, maybe some of them even get used.
DeleteIt is a real journey along that pier, Andrew. I like the shot with the masts.
ReplyDeleteThanks Pat. I did pick a good day.
DeleteThanks for sharing these, Andrew. I thoroughly enjoyed the pics. Lots of urban beauty in your area.
ReplyDeleteSandra sandracox.blogspot.com
Your welcome, Sandra.
DeleteWhat a pleasure Andrew! Those two photos in particular really rewarded an embiginning. Now I'd like a waffle please!
ReplyDeleteThanks Cloudia. I've never eaten a waffle.
DeleteBeautiful series of photos, Andrew!!!
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks Linda. I'm glad you liked them.
DeleteThat photo with all the boats is a stunner Andrew. I would get it framed.
ReplyDeleteI love piers - always some interesting stuff happening around them.
XO
WWW
WWW, I don''t know why more people don't turn their phones sideways more often.
DeleteSo beautiful! I love the water reflecting the clouds. I really believe that what makes our lives rich is when old memories weave through new days like a beautiful ribbon.
ReplyDeleteDebby, I am very pleased to generally have such good memories.
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