Locals commented it was the first day since Victoria’s second coronavirus wave begun that you could feel real ‘St Kilda vibes’.

For Fabio Matos de Freitas and his four-year-old son Taj, the warm weather and loosened COVID-19 restrictions were a “game changer”.
“Its been really hard, because every day you need to be really careful with what you do or what you dont do,” he said.
“But the kids need to be around people. We were in the park yesterday, and the park was full, and he was able to interact with other kids for ages with no stopping. Its makes them bond with nature.
“The beach is beautiful, and he can bond with nature.”
In St Kilda’s Botanical Gardens, Emma Barker-Perez and Connell Bergin spread out the picnic blanket and let their three-year-old mini schnauzer Stevie run free.
Fabio Matos de Freitas and his four-year-old son Taj enjoying a beautiful Spring day at St Kilda Beach. Credit:Penny Stephens
With the mercury nudging just over 26 degrees at 2.30pm Saturday, Ms Barker-Perez said she’d been eagerly watching the weather forecast all week, waiting for the weekend to arrive.
“It’s honestly lifted my spirits so much,” she said. “At first I was apprehensive, I’d seen photos of packed beaches and people not social distancing.
“We were really pleased to see people in the park being quite respectful of what the restrictions still are. I felt really safe, my anxieties were unfounded, everyone is still in it together.”
Many still have their eyes toward the future of Melbourne’s ‘COVID-normal’: if there is a daily case average between 30 and 50 across two weeks by September 28, gatherings of up to five people from two different households will be allowed.
Hosueholds were out enjoying the beautiful Spring day at St Kilda Beach on Saturday. Credit:Penny Stephens
St Kilda local Kristy took the opportunity on Saturday afternoon to meet up with her ‘single bubble buddy’ Jade, while her kids spent sunset burying each other in the sand.
“We’re known as the two girls with the really loud speaker, bringing some ambience to St Kilda,” she said.
“I think this is bringing people together, as a community. People have different opinions on COVID -and our music – but for the most part I think everyone is really enjoying coming into this spring weather.”
Sign up to our Coronavirus Update newsletter
Get our Coronavirus Update newsletter for the day’s crucial developments and the numbers you need to know. Sign up to The Sydney Morning Herald’s newsletter here and The Age’shere.
Ashleigh McMillan is a breaking news reporter at The Age. Got a story? Email me at a.mcmillan@theage.com.au