Tony Robinson's Time Walks | S1E9 | St Kilda, Melbourne

ST KILDA
Once a seaside retreat for 19 Century yuppies escaping “Smell-bourne”, later a suburb completely defined by the heroin addicts who flocked there, St Kilda has endured a constant cycle of boom and bust - even carrying the label “Rock Capital of the World” for a few heady years in the 1980s. Today it is again one of Melbourne’s most desired addresses.

[@frednerk5959]

I went to Seattle in the 1980's. Nice city. They had decided to revive their tramways for tourists. I turn a corner and there it was. Resplendent in green and gold, still with MMTB (Melbourne Metropolitan Tramways Board) logo on it and NO 96 ST KILDA BEACH. They had bought some trams from Melbourne because they had scrapped all theirs years ago.

[@Jesse-B]

My father was an apprentice sheet metal worker for MMTB in the late 30s leading up to WW2. He joined the air force and arrived in Darwin just in time for the bombings in 1942.

[@youpig6060]

Imagine being mugged by Tony Robinson. He politely approaches you with a broken bottle and gently ties you up takes your stuff and then thanks you and walks away into the night. That is the dream!

[@noahcount7132]

It's a long way form Durant, Wyoming, USA, to St. Kilda's in Melbourne, Australia, but there was Sheriff Walt Longmire (Robert Taylor) gardening at the Veg Out community plots, about 20 minutes into the video. Nice surprise!

[@Megadoculous]

Thanks, you are right! I knew I'd seen his face before. Good spot!

[@drecion1]

I’ve lived in Saint Kilda twice in my life and found it a great place to live. Such a lively place.🎉

[@mak7587]

Thanks Tony, it’s nice learning about my very own Melbourne. My father used to take me to Luna park on a daddy date when I was a little girl, and my favourite was the River caves, which sadly are no longer there 😞it was so beautiful. I am now 65 years old. One of the sayings people used to say if one had a big yawn in front of you was “Two tickets in”. 😃. This is what one would say when entering Luna Park.... lol.

[@Jesse-B]

When the yuppies rediscovered St Kilda and started renovating the old buildings, most of the junkies picked up their beds and walked to Frankston. As for the bloke hiding in wait for the ghost train, I have it on good authority he was bashed (probably several times) for touching the wrong person(s). I do remember "he" copped a helluva lot of verbal abuse and the job became untenable. The ride was designed for kids, but the ubiquitous alcoholic man-child commandeered it, incidentally a species which can still be observed at nightclubs and the footy.

[@deaddoll1361]

A species that seems to define a good night out as a belly full of beer, a late night feed and a fight. If a fight victim isn't handy, there's always a drunk mate.

[@planetdisco4821]

God I miss 1980’s St Kilda. You never knew what was going to happen when you went for a stroll on Fitzroy street after dark.

[@spiralpython1989]

Same ! Best part of Melbourne, best era... walking back and forward between the Prince of Wales and the Ballroom... I miss that time and that place...

[@organicox80]

@@spiralpython1989 i just miss the weird drugs man.

[@richardfinlayson1524]

thats true, ii lived in robe st tor a couple of years in the80s

[@ghs7714]

Or getting a bj as you walk home at night

[@petersherman2552]

Home sick for StKilda. Loved seeing this.

[@ajwootten]

Nice interview with the very humble veteran actor Robert Taylor in the old bowling green turn community gardens was a highlight.

[@patrickfitzgerald2861]

Thank you! I knew I recognized him, and was wracking my brain trying to place which TV series I saw him in. Anyhow, it was the long-running series "Ballykissangel," which re-ran on my local public television station a few years back. He played a priest, and was very good!

[@waynebow-gu7wr]

@@patrickfitzgerald2861 Probably more famous for the movie ; the time machine;.... with Wilbur out of Mr Ed.

[@moendopi5430]

I thought he looked an awful lot like ol Sheriff Longmire.

[@theoloutlaw]

@@moendopi5430 It most certainly is the Sheriff in 'Longmire'. What a surprise to see him here!

[@kayschieren8685]

He didn't mention the Espie - amazing. My school days were at Elwood High and my best friend's father and mother, the Wolowski's, were owner / managers in 1963. I helped in the kitchen and the bar in the days of the 6 o'clock swill, and the dinner dances on Saturday night finished at about ten thirty and then Alex Wolowski and I would go to the pier for a walk or a bit of night fishing among the local ancients from the refugee generation who were amazing characters. I'd often spend the night in a spare room and we'd go to the grassed monument park next door for a kick or to the pier for a bit of fishing on Sunday. A wonderful time we had - although I am probably the last survivor of that bunch from the Elwood High class of 1964. StKilda had the worlds best food outlets due to the refugee / immigrant Europeans who bled out their creative nostalgia in Ackland and Fitzroy streets. In those days fresh produce was an hour's drive from the shops, or the markets.

[@MissAnathemaDevice]

Tony Robinson is just the best.

[@nicolaiitchenko7610]

If you don't like the weather in Melbourne, wait ten minutes...

[@robert-brydson-1]

Sydney has double the rain

[@hipposaviation1841]

Summer in Melbourne can be bloody hot though mate. It held the hottest temperate for an Australian capital city until 2 years ago.

[@CuinnHerrick]

This was great, thank you

[@BenTvHowman]

I love your style. I'm inspired. Hi from Melbourne

[@alexandercella7990]

Hi Tony, I love your videos. Thanks to remind me Europe.

[@CowboyJojosAdventures]

Another great episode 👍🏽

[@michaelteasdale2919]

This was great👍

[@jadethornton7975]

so strange to see tony in my suburb. I've actually gotta go to the Melbourne central today so i might go past the junction and see the big ol tree.

[@jadethornton7975]

Yep, big ol tree is still there.

[@hdmccart6735]

@@jadethornton7975 I gotta see it too!! had no idea

[@bruceraymond9762]

Great to see Longmire (Robert Taylor) 👍🏆

[@kc1973able]

Was down there in St Kilda 98/99 and it was awesome spot. It looked a bit more rugged bk then than it does now and they say it was a lot rougher 10 years previously to when I was there . But still great memories from there. I lived there for six months while back packing just a great spot. Hope the Espy is still there. They was talk of knocking it down when I was down there. Saw some good bands at that place.

[@AndyGraceMedia]

The Espy's had a multi-million dollar reno about two years ago. They've maintained the vibe of the place but it's massively improved. Still the greatest band and comedy pub venue in Melbourne. And yes, St Kilda's rough edge is nearly gone even since this was shot. The backpackers venues are on the way out, being replaced by higher end property. Still Bohemian in a way with a few dodgy massage establishments... but a much higher class of dodgy massage establishment :)

[@IanDMalcolm]

Lived in St Kilda for 15-16 years, finally moved away in 2008 as couldn't afford to stay (had our first kid and another on the way). While not as full on as in the 80s, it was still pretty "interesting" through the 90s - very much heroin and prostitution central, so it was weird to be there as it gradually went from a quirky and super-cheap place to live, inexpensive rents, lots of share houses and squats and an insanely vibrant music scene, to some of the most expensive real estate in inner Melbourne. Regret renting as long as we did - could have easily bought a house back then, but rent was so cheap... until it wasn't.

[@johnd942]

Entertaining, and informative. Well done! Hard to understand the thumbs down?

[@richardfinlayson1524]

i remember st kilda station ,opposite The Ballroom in the 80s,sawb tons of gigs there

[@jacquelineloaring2438]

I lived in Melbourne in the 60s I can’t remember any of this, apart from the George Hotel.

[@PortCharmers]

I'd be too terrified to walk into a "milk-bar", expecting some fellows in bowler hats, white shirts, white trousers, combat boots and somebody else's ears pinned to their braces, sipping on Moloko-Velocettes and glaring ominously.

[@MiggsMultiple]

This must've been filmed years before the upload date...The city skyline is missing many skyscrapers that were completed at least 5 yrs ago

[@tehhappehhaps]

Years ago in 2013 I was absolutely sure I saw Tony Robinson in the restaurant where I worked in Alice Springs. Having found this series, I think it must have been during the filming of this series

[@ryancurwen-walker6076]

I’d love to see one on Footscray

[@jecos1966]

To bad that they didn't show the Junction Oval

[@trayolphia5756]

7:22 there’s still a joke about that in the south western suburbs about 30km out of Melbourne at one of the primary sewerage treatment plants. The saying for when someone has gotten themselves in some pretty serious trouble being “in deeper shit than a werribee duck”

[@trayolphia5756]

@BUSTER HYMEN “are we there yet...are we there yet...are we th...*sniff sniff*...yeah...we are...”

[@Dave_Sisson]

That's a classic old Melbourne saying, it should be revived.

[@richardfinlayson1524]

yeah, milk bar in melbourne means local shop

[@moendopi5430]

The cyclist on the left there didn't look particularly pleased with having a rope pulled out in front of him. Also was that Robert Taylor in the garden, or as I know him, Sheriff Longmire?

[@seanmcmullen4274]

This Is The Show

[@waynebow-gu7wr]

St kilda might be upper class now..... but it used to be full of brothels.

[@shabberto]

I didn't know about those penguins!

[@tonyrandall3146]

When did these episodes air?

[@osocool1too]

Tony Randall I think about 2015.

[@victorianrichard8097]

，tony uncle skilda beach in melbourne very beautiful i hope one day i can visit it

[@kimsherlock8969]

Brilliant I live in Melbourne Town .I noticed the Architectural landscape. I saw luxurious lifestyle able to holiday or stay in Summer in their own Modern beach house mansion . A great historic journey of change, In Madame St Kildas history. I love you showed that sacred treasure tree so much sacred is no more you shared the survival of Spirit.

[@westaussie965]

I hope english is your second language 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@victorianrichard8097]

silkada coffee place very beautiful

[@michaelbraun9750]

14:40 The term Kuglhof, German Guglhupf is thought to be composed from the two words "Gugl" - meaning hat, bonnet and referring to the cloths women wrapped around their heads in the countryside in Europe until the mid 20th century - and "hupf" - German "to jump" - referring to the fact how the yeast in the dough makes the cake jump upwards within its baking pan, although the latter part is not completely confirmed. The term might also mean "hat cake" if older sources from medieval times are to be taken into account, due to its form.

[@kayschieren8685]

Das stimmt schon, hauptsaechlicherweise und so ..... sehr lecker.

[@Michael_Brown_]

@@kayschieren8685 durchaus

[@victorianrichard8097]

walking skilda 98/99 is awesome so many paintaint about melbourne people

[@bluecatjay5229]

I looked at how long this was posted 4 years ago When it was actually published who knows but I thought oh this is old But then remembered Covid happened earlier then 4 years ago 🤔 And that period of Covid feels not that long ago. Fuck time flying past I’m looking for a documentary about Melbourne my home town because when I walk around I know I should know so much more.

[@ChannelReuploads9451]

@14:14 old lady in pink top... "Shut up Baldric !!!!!!!"

[@kaneo6162]

Tony, How could you not mention Melbourne founded by Batman? John Batman

[@TheAxelay]

Enough about St. Kilda mate, what you nailed is pretty true but alot of that is gone as it's a gentried dump with hipster/yuppie douche bags that destroyed the spirit of the place and I've lived here from late 1983 to 2020 (hoping to get out soon). You should've visited S.K. in the 80's man. Enough about that?! Have you considered bringing back repeats of:"Tales from Fat Tulip's Garden"?!!! I really would like to see that series in your heyday again?! Cheers...

[@patrickfitzgerald2861]

LOL! If you think St. Kilda is bad, you should visit Berlin some time! They must have a hipster freakin' factory hidden there somewhere, cranking them out by the thousands each day! 😒

[@TheAxelay]

@@patrickfitzgerald2861 , oh really?! I never thought of Berlin like that to be honest but I'll take your word for it it mate. I guess we didn't see the fall of the Berlin Wall with taking down of every brick with every coffee or a latte cup at a time sigh... :(

[@patrickfitzgerald2861]

@@TheAxelay LOL! Sadly, Berlin changed completely in just the past 20 years - but so, it seems, has Oz.

[@denisegore1884]

I had to google to see what had happened to the Espy. Used to go there in the late 80s. You almost wanted platform shoes or gumboots as the floor was just awash with spilled booze. The carpet squelched. At least the cake shops are still there.

[@TheAxelay]

@@denisegore1884 , yes they're still around so is the original butcher store but under a new name though?! The 7 Eleven in the corner of Barkly & Blessington Street still stands as well even though there is another fairly near where the Video X in Acland street is as well as does the once famous Blessington Street Laundrette lastly but that's all that's left now and it's deathly quiet now.

[@victorianrichard8097]

1850 had 15 resident hotel in australia long history

[@victorianrichard8097]

tony introduce the redgum tree in st kilda

[@maxineward1419]

has tony robinson moved to australia?

[@westaussie965]

No

[@princeedmunddukeofedinburg]

Yes

[@paulwallis7586]

Talking about bands, that's AC/DC country.

[@victorianrichard8097]

tony going to stkilda beach

[@bumbledouche3323]

St Kilda: a run-down deathtrap of a theme park, an old tree next to a road, some dilapidated nightclubs/strip joints, a manky old toilet, an empty lot overrun by squatting gardeners and the dyslexic duo of a sign-maker & "tatoo" artist. I can't believe Tony almost made the place sound appealing.

[@tonyrandall3146]

@ltchy ba11s Are you kidding he/she nailed it. NEXT!

[@mickanvonfootscraymarket5520]

St Kilda is like your friends old attractive Aunt. Everyone has something bad to say about her, but we all know she gives the best head in town.

[@trayolphia5756]

8:42 the irony is my tattoo artist until recently worked at a studio in st Kilda, and has had people from various international locales coming from overseas for her work.

[@GavinSouthern]

LONGMIRE!!!!

[@victorianrichard8097]

simugel auntie introduce bends play

[@williamduncanson3934]

It's like Blackpool on a very bad day - still if Tony thinks it's great. Best part was the tree next to the freeway - only in St Kilda.

[@mickanvonfootscraymarket5520]

The best part of St Kilda you can't put into a travel video. You can't put orgies at 2am with backpackers in a video, throwing up on Fitzroy Street and fingering some Sheila out in the alleyway. I saw my first vagina at St Kilda beach. If that isn't your style, the cake stores on Acland street are delicious and a treat. The sunset on the beach and the Melbourne skyline 🇦🇺

[@AndyGraceMedia]

Hahaha. Yes! It's a bit Weston-super-Mare meets the Hamburg Reeperbahn.

[@victorianrichard8097]

John Lang curry build the John farmer place in 1870

[@tiffduncan9436]

Did that older lady really ask who Tony Robinson is¡!!??!!??🥺👎🤯wow that's some 💩💩💩

[@anAeijingBuffoon]

I don't think so mate. They just didn't want to call it a delicatessen or a corner shop or whatever else they call it in go ol England when everything else on every corner was a pub. It was either that or a milk pub.

[@organicox80]

It might have been seedy but Nazareth where Jesus grew up was the same.

[@adamrobinson8620]

"Melbourne was known as Smellbourne" Still is, here in Sydney :p

[@victorianrichard8097]

jang lung curry dummy is the toileti am arent stupid about it tony uncle

[@jessechen998]

The cyclist in the middle was quite pretty.

[@westaussie965]

Um no🤮