Frankston Beach holds many memories to my family. My Mum was bought up in the Frankston area. Frankston Beach was always a fun place for her to visit from a young age. Mum still enjoys frequenting the beach today and walking along the boardwalk and to the end of the pier.
Please note that when the below photos were taken it was after extreme weather which caused the end of the Frankston Pier to come away. When the waters are calm the bay has lovely blue waters.
About Frankston Foreshore, Beach & Pier
The official village of Frankston was established in 1854. It’s been a popular destination of Melbourne since the 1880’s. Being one of the most frequented beaches in Victoria on a summers day the area is populated with locals and tourists. Some will come for the day whilst others are stopping as they make their way down to the Mornington Peninsula.
Frankston is referred to as the Gateway to the Mornington Peninsula.
The Frankston beach is one of the many lovely beaches scattered along the Eastern Shoreline of Port Phillip Bay south of the Melbourne CBD. There is a 3m wide boardwalk that runs along the Frankston Foreshore. As you walk along the boardwalk there are parts where you can lookout to Port Phillip Bay, checkout the picnic areas and view the nearby Kananook Creek. A visit to the Frankston Beach is not complete without walking out to the end of the Frankston Pier.
Frankston Boardwalk
There are many places where you can stop and take in the tranquility of the beach and surrounding areas. Along the boardwalk there are seats scattered to enable you to take a moment to watch the beach goers or watch the sunset. Depending on the weather conditions you will see many fishing boats bobbing away on the horizon, other days the horizon will be covered in sailing boats. As you sit staring out to sea you will also see container ships passing by.
The boardwalk starts at Wells Street and goes to Olivers Hill. It is pram/wheelchair friendly. My Mum used to enjoy pushing her grandmother along here in her wheelchair as it was easy and the view is well worth the visit. Rain, hail or shine it’s a great place to explore. There’s nothing like having the sea breeze on a winters or summer day blow through your hair.
Frankston Pier
The original Frankston Pier was constructed in 1857. In 1863 the pier was extended. The pier has always been used by fishermen. Today you will still find many keen fishermen sitting along the pier. Until recently the end of the pier would have many fishermen patiently waiting for their catch of the day.
The view from the Frankston Pier is beautiful, on a clear day seeing the Melbourne CBD skyline, Olivers Hill and looking back along the beaches. Of course just looking out to sea.
On the 8th August 2019 the end of the pier broke off in extreme weather. To date the end of the pier is blocked off, however you can still go onto the pier which is quite long.
With Frankston Beach holding many fond memories we visited the beach and pier on the weekend after it had been destroyed by the heavy seas. Yes, my Mum had to for sentimental reasons join the many onlookers and have a photo on the broken off piece that drifted and wedged itself on Frankston Beach.
Frankston Beach
Noted as one of the cleanest beaches in Australia!! Depending on the tide the beach is quite a wide beach. It is a family oriented beach with the foreshore area having a decent playground, BBQ/picnic areas. Many will walk along the beach to the base of Olivers Hill with some walking up Olivers Hill to get a fantastic view of the beach and Port Phillip Bay.
Olivers Hill Lookout Point
You cannot visit Frankston Foreshore, Beach & Pier without either walking or driving up to Olivers Hill. Olivers Hill is visible from the Frankston Foreshore area. Once you reach the lookout point at Olivers Hill on a clear day you can see the Melbourne CBD skyline. On a sunny day you’ll see many fishing boats and yachts enjoying the beautiful Port Phillip Bay. With a boat ramp at the base of Olivers Hill there’s always boating activity dependent on the bay conditions.
The below photo is looking at Olivers Hill in the distance after stormy weather.
Reasons why you should visit the Frankston Foreshore?
- Beautiful Beach
- Boardwalk
- Pier
- Picnic Grounds
- Boat Ramps with access to Port Phillip Bay
- Hire a boat
- Playground
- Lifesaving Club
- Walking distance to Frankston Shopping Centre
- Gateway to the Mornington Peninsula
- Restaurants
There are quite a number of picnic tables scattered around the Frankston Beach area. Some areas have BBQ’s which are under shelter. There are generous spans of grass areas to kick a footy or just lay and soak up the sunshine, that is unless it’s a cloudy day as pictured below!!
In the photo below you would normally find boats moored along the boardwalk ready to go out to the bay or after they’ve returned from their adventure. On this occasion there were no boats due to the extreme weather conditions experienced over the previous days.
Nearby Attractions
With many saying Frankston is the gateway to the Mornington Peninsula there are hundreds of places to explore…from nature walks to wineries, historical homes to name just a few. Below are places that we have explored:
- Oliver’s Hill Lookout Point, Frankston, Victoria, Australia
- Edithvale – Seaford Wetlands, Victoria, Australia
- Frankston Nature Conservation Reserve
- Sweetwater Creek Nature Reserve, Frankston, Victoria
- Ranelagh Beach, Mount Eliza, Victoria
- Frankston Street Art, Frankston, Victoria
Frankston Pier Location
- Nepean Highway, Frankston VIC 3199
- Approximately 42km, 54 mins from Melbourne CBD
Feedback/Comments
Are there any areas of the Mornington Peninsula that you have explored that you recommend we visit? Have you visited the Frankston Foreshore, beach or pier? If you have we’d love to hear about your adventure.
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