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FRANKSTON information & attractions
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Introduction:

Frankston is a bustling and modern city, fronting Port Phillip Bay and located between Seaford and Mount Eliza.

The commercial centre of Frankston stretches along the wide boulevard of the Nepean Highway and east to Young Street and the railway line, incorporating the Bayside Shopping Centre and the Bayside Entertainment Centre with cinemas, eateries and fashion outlets. Four kilometres east of there is Centro Karingal Shopping Centre on Cranbourne Road which has over 120 retailers.

Frankston is the educational hub of the Mornington Peninsula, home to campuses of the Chisholm Institute of TAFE and Monash University. It also has a thriving arts and theatre scene with the popular Frankston Arts Centre and several galleries.

The coastline around much of Frankston consists of calm and sandy beaches, perfect for swimming, boating and other water activities. To the south, the coastline transforms itself into rocky cliffs and headlands. From Olivers Hill, located on the Nepean Highway at the southern end of Frankston, panoramic views can be enjoyed across Port Phillip Bay and north along the beachside suburbs.

The Frankston Waterfront precinct is based around Frankston Pier where there is a central square, visitor information centre and food outlets. A scenic boardwalk extends along the coast from there, ending at the boat ramp near the base of Olivers Hill. Landscaped gardens, lawns and BBQ shelters front Kananook Creek which has boat launching facilities and enters the bay just north of the pier. The pedestrian Landmark Bridge crosses the creek near its mouth, and is a recognised icon when viewed from Frankston's beach.

Frankston has a number of attractive parks and gardens including Beauty Park with its lake and jetties, Bunarong Park with its elevated views of the bay, the informal George Pentland Botanical Gardens, Ballam Park and the historical homestead in Karingal, and the Pines Flora and Fauna reserve in Frankston North.

Frankston is the gateway to the Mornington Peninsula, which extends southwards and incorporates sheltered bay beaches, ocean surf beaches, stunning coastal scenery, historic maritime relics, wineries and fruit farms.

 
Art & culture:

Frankston Arts Centre
Thousands of visitors each year enjoy performances and functions at the centre which includes an 800 seat theatre, 500 seat function centre and Cube 37 which is a creative arts space housing studios and exhibition galleries
Jenny Pihan Fine Art
Showcasing traditional, contemporary and innovative art with changing exhibitions of works by some of Australia's top artists
McClelland Gallery & Sculpture Park
Housing an extensive collection of fine art and works by leading Australian sculptors, the gallery is set within 8 hectares of landscaped bushland just east of Frankston in neighbouring Langwarrin

Shopping & markets:

Bayside Shopping Centre
Located in the heart of Frankston and open 7 days a week, it includes major department stores and over 200 speciality shops

Parks, gardens & trails:

Langwarrin Flora & Fauna Reserve
Located just east of Frankston in Langwarrin, this reserve contains relatively undisturbed natural bushland with a reservoir, an old military camp site and a network of tracks
The Pines Flora & Fauna Reserve
Surrounded by residential housing in Frankston North, it offers several walking tracks through original Mornington Peninsula bushland and a lookout

Festivals & events:

Frankston Waterfront Festival
A major summer event right on Frankston's waterfront with sporting competitions, entertainment, activities and demonstrations
Sand Sculpting Australia
This annual sand sculpting display is held at the Frankston waterfront near the pier and Kananook Creek with the created sculptures following a different theme each year

Local tourist guides:

Visit Frankston
Visitor guide for Frankston and surroundings including a business directory, events, attractions and shopping

* All the above links are external and open up in a new window

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