Full Digital Nomad Guide in St Kilda + Ideal Places to Work
St Kilda has become a favourite for digital nomads looking to balance productivity with lifestyle.
This St Kilda digital nomad guide explores where to work, where to stay, and how to make the most of your time in one of Australia’s most liveable neighbourhoods. Whether you're here for a short workation or settling in for longer, you'll find practical tips to help you stay connected, comfortable, and inspired.
Why St Kilda is on the digital nomad radar
St Kilda is emerging as one of Melbourne’s top suburbs for digital nomads in 2025. With Melbourne recently ranked #1 in the Work‑From‑Anywhere Index, offering average internet speeds of over 250 Mbps and hosting more than 100 co‑working spaces (Source), digital nomads are prioritising places that offer both lifestyle and infrastructure. St Kilda delivers both, while being just 6 km from the CBD.
Choose it if:
- You value lifestyle, walkability, and proximity to nature
- You prefer a local, community-driven vibe over high-rise city buzz
- You’re new to Melbourne and looking for an easy, welcoming suburb to settle into while getting to know the city.
Skip it if:
- You need ultra-fast internet or round-the-clock office facilities
- Your work depends on immediate proximity to corporate headquarters or government buildings
- You’re sensitive to seasonal noise or tourist traffic, especially during summer and festival periods
Verdict:
St Kilda is a
smart soft-landing spot for digital nomads testing the Melbourne lifestyle, ideal for first-timers in Australia or remote workers seeking a change of pace without sacrificing connectivity or comfort.
How to get to St Kilda
Getting to St Kilda is straightforward. From Melbourne’s CBD, hop on tram routes 3a, 16, or 96. These run frequently and reach St Kilda in about 25 minutes. Rideshare services like Uber are also reliable, and many nomads enjoy biking in via the dedicated cycle lanes. If you're starting your journey in Melbourne, check out
this backpacker's guide to Melbourne for more orientation.
Best time to visit St kilda
Spring (September - November) and autumn (March - May) are the best times to enjoy working remotely in St Kilda. These seasons are warm but not overly hot, and the area is generally quieter compared to peak summer. If you’re considering a
working holiday in St Kilda, these months are also ideal for finding availability in co-living spaces and short-term rentals.
Why St Kilda is on the digital nomad radar
Whether you prefer structured co-working setups or quiet cafes, St Kilda has plenty of freelancer-friendly venues. Here’s a breakdown of where to work in St Kilda that balances comfort, connectivity, and cost.
Engine House St Kilda
- Address: 105 Wellington St, St Kilda VIC 3182
- Opening hours: 9am - 6pm (Mon-Fri)
- Amenities: High-speed Wi-Fi and Ethernet, phone booths, printing, standing desks, personal lounge, free coffee/tea & water, outdoor terrace.
- Fees:
- Day pass $40 + GST
- Flexi desk (3 days/week) $400 + GST/month
- Full pass (24/7) $500 + GST/month
- Private offices from $1,200 + GST/month
This stylish space blends industrial design with natural lighting and has a friendly, motivated community - great for digital nomads focused on networking.
The Hive Milton House
- Address: 123 Fitzroy St, St Kilda VIC 3182
- Opening hours: Mon - Thur 9 AM - 5 PM, Fri 9 AM - 5 PM
- Amenities: Furnished desk, High-speed Wi-Fi, meeting rooms, bike storage, air-conditioning, printing.
- Fees:
- Hot desk: ~$300/mo (unlimited access - essentially day‑pass users)
- Dedicated desk: ~$400/mo
- Private office: ~$550/mo
- Day-pass: $50/day
Located in a Victorian-era building, this space offers high ceilings, quiet work areas, and a peaceful vibe - perfect for focused deep work.
deskworx and deskworx seminars
- Address: 105 Wellington St, St Kilda VIC 3182
- Opening hours: 9am - 6pm (Mon-Fri)
- Amenities: High-speed Wi-Fi and Ethernet, phone booths, printing, standing desks, personal lounge, free coffee/tea & water, outdoor terrace.
- Fees:
- Day pass $40 + GST
- Flexi desk (3 days/week) $400 + GST/month
- Full pass (24/7) $500 + GST/month
- Private offices from $1,200 + GST/month
This stylish space blends industrial design with natural lighting and has a friendly, motivated community - great for digital nomads focused on networking.
Independent Studios
- Address: Suite 1/75A Chapel St, Windsor VIC 3181
- Opening hours: 9am - 6pm (Mon-Fri)
- Amenities: Fully furnished desks, kitchen areas, meeting rooms, etc
- Fees:
- Freelancer desk: A$385/month + GST, includes fibre internet, 2 hrs meeting room/month
- Dedicated desk: A$500/month + GST, unlimited meeting room access, full kitchen, storage, event invitation
- Virtual office: A$80/month + GST
- Dedicated team spaces: From A$1,500/month + GST for multi-person requirements
Just outside St Kilda, this co-working space combines affordability with all the essentials for remote workers.
Laptop-friendly cafés in St Kilda
If you’re looking for a working cafe in St Kilda that serves good coffee and decent Wi-Fi, these venues deliver.
Space-cafe
- Address: 183 Fitzroy St, St Kilda VIC 3182
- Opening hours: 6:30 AM - 4 PM
- Must-try item: Flat white, Big breakfast
- Price per person: $20 - $40
- Work-friendly amenities: Free Wi-Fi, multiple power outlets, and a calm, minimal-interruption setting ideal for laptop use.
Space-cafe stands out for its clean layout and easygoing atmosphere, making it a comfortable place to settle in for a few hours of work. The natural light and steady foot traffic create a balanced energy - neither too quiet nor too distracting.
Wedge St Kilda | Brunch Cafe St Kilda
- Address: 72A Acland St, St Kilda VIC 3182
- Opening hours: 6:15 AM - 2 PM (closed at Sat, Sun and Thur)
- Must-try item: Mocha, Toast
- Price per person: $20 - $40
- Work-friendly amenity: Strong Wi-Fi, indoor/outdoor seating, and a work-friendly vibe with staff open to laptop users.
Ideal for remote workers looking for a friendly social atmosphere with brunch-style food and strong coffee.
neighbours cafe
- Address: 42 Chapel St, St Kilda East VIC 3182
- Opening hours: Mon - Thur 6:30 AM - 4 PM, Fri - Sun 7:30 AM - 4 PM
- Must-try item: Latte, Shakshuka
- Price per person: $20 - $40
- Work-friendly amenity: Quiet local atmosphere, dependable Wi-Fi, and spaced-out tables that offer privacy for solo work.
A quiet café to work with less foot traffic - great if you prefer a less touristy, more local spot.
Frankie's Top Shop
- Address: 20 Cowderoy St, St Kilda West VIC 3182
- Opening hours: Mon - Fri 7:30 AM - 2:30 PM, Sat 7:30 AM - 2:30 PM, Sun 8 AM - 2:30 PM.
- Must-try item: Flat white, Caffe Latte
- Price per person: $20 - $40
- Work-friendly amenity: Outdoor seating with Wi-Fi access.
Tucked away from the main roads, this café offers outdoor seating and is one of the top-rated remote work cafés in St Kilda.
Other unexpected spots you can work in St Kilda
If you're the type who enjoys flexibility, there are several surprising yet effective places to work around St Kilda. Here are some ideas and actual places you can visit:
Community spaces
St Kilda Library: Offers free-to-use computers, desks, study rooms and free Wi-Fi. Visit after 11am for a quieter atmosphere, as children’s events can be noisy in the mornings.
Parks and outdoor spaces
- St Kilda Beach, Catani Gardens, Alfred Square: These outdoor areas have strong mobile signals. Use a hotspot for connectivity and enjoy the breeze.
- St Kilda Botanical Gardens (Outdoor café ones): Nearby café kiosks provide Wi-Fi access. It's an excellent alternative for a quiet, green environment.
Pubs & bistros
- The Windsor Alehouse: Combines pub comfort with reliable internet. A perfect option for early evening work or casual meetings. Check it out here.
- The Cross: More laid-back, suitable for light work with a drink and background music.
- Post Office Club Hotel: Known for quiet afternoons and table space for solo workers.
Costs of living for digital nomads in St Kilda
One of the key reasons St Kilda appeals to digital nomads is its ability to offer lifestyle perks - beach access, cafés, co-working spaces - without the same price tag you'd find in central Melbourne. That said, costs can vary depending on how you work, live, and move around. Below is a breakdown of typical monthly expenses to help you plan a realistic budget.
- Accommodation ($900 – $1,600): Shared or private rooms near key areas; typically includes utilities and Wi-Fi.
- Food & groceries ($500 – $800): A mix of home-cooked meals and dining out at local cafés and restaurants.
- Co-working space (optional) ($250 – $400): Hot desk or flexi pass options at co-working hubs around St Kilda.
- Public transport (Myki) ($100): Covers unlimited tram and bus rides in Zone 1; rideshare rarely needed unless far from tram routes.
- Mobile data/SIM plan ($30 – $50): Prepaid plans with 20–40 GB of data per month, sufficient for most remote work needs.
- Laundry & toiletries ($60 – $100): Coin laundry averages $4–6 per wash; includes basic hygiene and seasonal essentials.
- Fitness & wellness (optional) ($60 – $100): Local gym memberships or casual yoga and fitness class access.
- Entertainment & social ($150 – $300): Bars, markets, galleries, and day trips; may increase during festivals or events.
- Café working tab (if not using a co-working space) ($100 – $200): Most laptop-friendly cafés expect a purchase per session.
More expert tips for managing costs in St Kilda:
Cooking your own meals
Our cheap foodie guideCooking your own meals can significantly reduce food costs. Still, you’ll want to explore local favourites - St Kilda is home to several affordable food spots.
Watch the small daily spends
$5 coffee + $15 lunch + $8 transport can quietly add up to $800+ per month. Consider preparing a few meals per week or rotating café sessions with library or garden workdays.
Avoid short-notice booking
Prices for rooms spike in summer (Dec–Feb). Booking at least 2–4 weeks ahead, or during shoulder seasons, can save hundreds.
Bundle where you can
Our backpacking guideChoose accommodation that already includes essentials like Wi-Fi, kitchen, and laundry access. For example, Pint on Punt includes these in their rate, plus access to shared community spaces ideal for working
Accommodation in St Kilda that works for digital nomads
Not all accommodation suits remote workers. If you're working while traveling, you’ll want more than just a bed. Here’s what to prioritise when choosing a digital nomad stay in St Kilda - and where you can find it all in one place.
| Criteria | What you should look for |
|---|---|
| Fast & reliable Wi-Fi | Non-negotiable. Look for stays with: - Minimum 50 Mbps (test or ask host) - Unlimited data (especially for video calls/streaming) - Private connection (avoid shared cafés-only setups) |
| Dedicated workspace | - Desk + comfortable chair in-room or quiet communal areas - Good lighting (natural or task lighting) - Bonus: extra monitor or ergonomic setups in higher-end Airbnbs |
| Common areas | - Encourages social connection, idea sharing, and balance. |
| Walkability | Walking distance to: - Cafés with Wi-Fi (e.g., Sister of Soul, Galleon Café) - Trams (easy access to Melbourne CBD) - St Kilda beach and botanical gardens for breaks - Coles/Woolworths, pharmacies, and gyms |
| Affordability | - Long-term friendly pricing without CBD-level rent. |
| Comfortable living | - Clean bed, good mattress - Kitchen (if staying long-term) - Laundry access - A/C and/or heater (Melbourne weather is moody) |
| Flexible booking terms | - Weekly/monthly discounts - Clear cancellation policy - Utilities and Wi-Fi included (no-surprise bills) |
A stay that covers it all - and more
If you’re looking for a stay that meets all these needs, Pint on Punt Backpackers is a practical choice for nomads. While it's known as a backpackers’ base, it’s also well-suited for remote workers thanks to:
✅ Wi-Fi: High-speed, stable internet throughout the building
✅ Workspace: Communal areas with space to work, plus quiet corners ideal for deep focus
✅
Location: Just minutes from tram stops, remote-friendly cafés, co-working spots, and St Kilda’s best food and green spaces
✅
Facilities: Kitchen, laundry, comfortable beds, and temperature control - all standard
✅ Community: A social but respectful vibe, with plenty of solo travellers and long-term guests who are also working remotely
✅ Budget-friendly: Already great value - but even better during winter
And right now, you can save 20% when you book directly through their website using the code WINTER20. If you're planning to stay more than three nights during the cooler months, it’s one of the best-value digital nomad stays in the area.
So if you’re looking to
stay and work in Melbourne without the stress of finding separate co-working spaces, Pint on Punt quietly delivers everything you need in one well-located, affordable package.
