Frankston Vic 3199
 (Pop 35 500)

Frankston, small city turned Melbourne commuter suburb, is about 54 km south of the CBD. Attractively situated on Port Phillip Bay, it is also known as the ‘Gateway to the Mornington Peninsula’. Frankston covers 21 sq km and boasts 7 km of beaches, bushland, heritage buildings, an excellent retail sector and countless recreational activities. Originally occupied by the Bunurong Aborigines whose middens can still be found on cliff tops, European settlement began in 1850s. The advent of the railway (1882) transformed Frankston into an early holiday resort. There are many reserves (Kanahook Creek, Bunarong Park, Casuarina, Sweetwater Creek, Langwarrin, Paratea, The Pines), as well as the George Pentland Botanic Gardens, cnr William & Yuille Sts. Frankston is serviced by the Nepean and Moorooduc Hwys, EastLink Tollway, Frankston railway station and several bus routes. Dolphin Markets (2nd Sun). Frankston Guitar Festival (Apr), Dolphin City Festival (Nov). 

Tourist Attractions & Info:
Foreshore Area features a pier and good sporting and recreational facilities with a 12 km return foreshores walk. Kanahook Creek Reserve 43 ha area with many scenic walks. George Pentland Botanic Gardens, cnr William & Yuille Sts. Bunurong Park, Wattle Tree Lane numerous walking tracks with over 50 native bird and 100 plant species and stunning bay and city views. Casuarina Reserve, Casuarina Dr protects 2 ha of native bushland with several walking trails.  

Nearby:
Olivers Hill (south) excellent bay, Melbourne and Dandenong Ranges vistas. Sweetwater Creek Nature Reserve (foot of Olivers Hill) pretty 14 ha bushland area. Langwarrin Flora and Fauna Reserve, McClelland Dr a former military camp, this 214 ha reserve has many bird species and areas of stringybark forest home to koalas, wallabies and bandicoots. Pines Flora & Fauna Reserve (3 km n-e) 108 ha of remnant bushalnd, heathland boardwalks and vistas of the Dandenong Ranges and Port Phillip Bay. Seaford (4 km north) home of the Seaford Wetlands a 305 ha reserve of river red gums and many endangered bird species with a walking track and viewing platform. Seaford Foreshore Reserve has beaches, walking tracks and picnic areas.

Accommodation:
Frankston has 5 motels, 6 hotels, 3 B&Bs, holiday apartments and a caravan park. Visitor Information Centre: Point Nepean Rd, Dromana. Tel (03) 5987 3078 or 1800 804 009 or Council offices, Davey St for tourism-related enquiries, tel: (03) 9784 1888.

Hospital:
Frankston Hospital, Hastings Rd. Tel (03) 9784 7777.