Frankston

Sometimes referred as "The Gateway to the Peninsula", Frankston is just 40 kilometres southeast from the Melbourne Central Business District and the Mornington Peninsula's northernmost city. It shares borders with Frankston North (also known as "The Pines") in the north and Mt. Eliza in the south. However, the basis of its name is subject to guesses and assumptions. Some people claim that it was taken from a certain Frank Stone whose existence is doubted, while a noted local historian claimed that it was derived from an officer in the British army named Gen. Sir Thomas Harte Franks.

Frankston was originally inhabited by the indigenous Kulin people before the ancient European settlers arrived in 1803. It was originally a fishing village for the most half of the 19th century until a pier, a church-run school, a post office, a pottery, and other functional structures were added later on from 1857 up to the 1880s. "The Gateway to the Peninsula" later evolved into a holiday resort town upon the arrival of the railway in 1882 and by 1922, it had become a favorite destination for affluent Melbourne families. The changes that occurred in Frankston gave it a very high chance of being declared as a city and indeed, it successfully proved this capability when in 1966, Frankston was officially made into a city.

Frankston Attractions & Activities

The suburb is home to a number of historical and leisurely attractions. Here, locals and tourists alike can take on eco-tours at the Seaford Wetlands, where they can get to see the River Red Gums or the rare and endangered migratory birds and also through the Langwarim Flora and Fauna Reserve, a 214-hectare bushland and walking trail for a glimpse of the areas natural history. The Sweetwater Creek Reserve, on the other hand, can be accessed through Frankston’s waterfront coastal boards. Its main base is the Sweetwater Creek, a water source for European Settlers and Aborigines. Here, residents and travelers can get to see a few remaining pre-colonial plants as well as the occasional animal.

History buffs may drop by the Ballam Park Homestead, the very first brick house that was erected in the district in 1847-1854 for Wllburham "Frank" Liardet and his family. Here, people can view the interiors of the house together with artifacts associated with its original owners. Another homestead popular in Frankston is the Briars, which is said to have been built for Alexander Balcombe, who was presumed to be a confidante of Napoleon Bonaparte.

For those wishing to get on some real vacation activities, they may try to go to Kanahook Creek Reserve for boating, swimming, diving, snorkeling, fishing, and sailboarding in addition to several walking tracks or go biking along the Frankston-Baxter Bike path which is littered by countless cafes and restaurants.

Frankston is also a place for art enthusiasts for it is home to numerous art galleries such as the Kananook Boathouse Art Gallery, which is dedicated to paintings, glassworks, ceramics, exhibitions, and workshops; the Richard Linton Maritime Art Gallery, which is dedicated to sailing-ship lithographs, sailing gift items, and maritime historical works; the McClelland Art and Cultural Center and Sculpture park which has 60 Australian sculptures on exhibits together with prints, drawings, and other works from prominent Australian artists aside from a multi-purpose section designed for concerts, performing arts and conventions.