Acland Street facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Acland StreetVictoria |
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| A route 96 tram departs from the Acland Street terminus | |
| General information | |
| Type | Street |
| Length | 1.2 km (0.7 mi) |
| Major junctions | |
| Northwest end |  Beaconsfield ParadeSt Kilda, Melbourne |
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| Southeast end |  Barkly StreetSt Kilda, Melbourne |
| Location(s) | |
| LGA(s) | City of Port Phillip |
| Suburb(s) | St Kilda |
Acland Street is a famous street in St Kilda, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia. It's a popular spot for fun and relaxation. People love to visit because it has many tasty restaurants and is close to the exciting St Kilda Beach area.
Contents
Exploring Acland Street
Where is Acland Street?
Acland Street stretches from northwest to southeast. It connects Fitzroy Street and Barkly Street. This street was one of the very first roads planned in St Kilda back in 1842.
What You'll See
The northwest part of the street is mostly homes. You can see many beautiful old houses from the late 1800s. Some of these homes are now apartments or places like the Linden Gallery.
The southeast part, between Carlisle and Barkly Streets, is a busy shopping area. This section is also a special tram zone. Here, tram route 96 ends its journey.
Acland Street's Past
How Acland Street Got Its Name
Acland Street is named after Sir Thomas Dyke Acland, 10th Baronet. He owned a type of sailing ship called a schooner. The ship was named Lady of St Kilda. James Ross Lawrence, who was the ship's captain, named the street in 1842.
Lawrence bought the first piece of land in St Kilda. This happened on December 7, 1842. He named one of the new roads Acland Street, after his former boss. A special plaque marks where Acland and Fitzroy Streets meet.
From Homes to Shops
In the 1880s, the part of Acland Street that is now full of shops used to have large houses with big gardens. But in the early 1900s, St Kilda became a popular place for everyone to visit. Electric trams started running to places like Luna Park and Acland Street. Because of this, many mansions were replaced with shops in the 1920s and 1930s.
A Hub for Newcomers
By the 1930s, these shops became a center for Melbourne's Jewish community. Many people came to Melbourne from Europe before and after World War II. Acland Street had many shops and restaurants that served this community.
Famous places like the Scheherezade cafe, which opened in 1958, served traditional foods for decades. Many cake shops also opened, selling delicious Central and East European treats. By the 1980s, the Jewish community's main area moved to Caulfield. Acland Street then became more popular with weekend tourists. The cake shops today are a reminder of this rich history.
Fun Places Nearby
The area where Acland and Barkly Streets meet is called the Village Belle. This is because of the Village Belle Hotel. Near Carlisle Street and Acland Street is Luna Park. It's one of Australia's most famous amusement parks. Right next door is the grand Palais Theatre, a beautiful place for shows.
Acland Street also has the St Kilda Army and Navy Club. It was built in 1923. It had a hall, a cinema, and apartments for retired service members.
A Modern Street
Today, Acland Street is full of restaurants. You can find many different kinds of food, like Vietnamese, Indian, Italian, and Malaysian. A large McDonald's is now on the corner of Acland and Carlisle Streets. In 2016, a part of Acland Street was closed to cars. The tram stop was also rebuilt to make it better for passengers.
Images for kids
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Acland St tram stop
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Another view of the street
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Acland Street cake shop window
