For the greatest gay to straight ratio in Melbourne, head to the beachside suburb of St. Kilda. Although this is a real, middle class neighborhood with year round residents, it seems as if everyone in St. Kilda is perpetually on vacation, or on

(+) More

For the greatest gay to straight ratio in Melbourne, head to the beachside suburb of St. Kilda. Although this is a real, middle class neighborhood with year round residents, it seems as if everyone in St. Kilda is perpetually on vacation, or on holidays, as the Aussies say. The festive atmosphere results from the sea air, the sunshine, and the relatively high numbers of well-dressed young men walking their dogs together. It's de rigueur for visitors to drool up and down Acland Street, gazing at and sampling from the food porn displayed in the cake shop windows. Then they burn a few calories by strolling along the shore people watching, and out on the historic pier to spot seabirds and look for Great Whites. Similarly, it's de rigueur for Melbournians to lament over the further gentrification that has, they say, plasticized and artificially enlarged the heart of St. Kilda. Where once there was a lively, bustling shopping, arts, and café scene, there's now a larger but otherwise identical scene called the Golden Triangle. There's plenty of entertainment at the Luna Park fun fair, the Sunday arts market on the Upper Esplanade, the sea baths (complete with shark nets), and the many art galleries. For nightlife, local bars like the Duke and Prince of Wales feature mixed (straight and gay) crowds.

(-) Close