Check out this coastal city and its chic waterfront precinct, beaches, galleries and shopping centres: the perfect introduction to the Mornington Peninsula.

As well as being the gateway to the Mornington Peninsula, Frankston is a lively coastal city in its own right. The city is a cultural hub and features great dining, shopping precincts and entertainment destinations. Explore the coast, visit Frankston’s exciting waterfront and swim at the sandy beaches.

Shop for big-name brands or spend a few hours in the entertainment complexes in Frankston’s primary commercial area, just off the Nepean Highway. The Bayside Shopping Centre is a large mall with plenty of major outlets, while the Bayside Entertainment Centre offers cinemas, cafés, restaurants and food halls. Check out what’s showing at the Frankston Arts Centre and see a music or theatre performance or visit one of the intriguing galleries that are scattered throughout the area.

Don’t miss a trip to Frankston’s waterfront, a charming area characterised by the Frankston Pier and the wide arch of the pedestrianised Landmark Bridge. The bridge stretches over Kananook Creek and frames the city beautifully when admired from the beach. You’ll also find a civic square, an informative visitor centre and a restaurant in this precinct. Embark on a stroll along the waterfront boardwalk and head south, toward Oliver’s Hill. This small rise on the Nepean Highway in southern Frankston offers sweeping views of Port Phillip Bay, a string of coastal suburbs and the Melbourne city skyline.

Explore some of Frankston’s green spaces with a trip to the lakeside at Beauty Park or the rolling hills of Bunarong Park. Explore the bushland surrounding Sweetwater Creek and find an abundance of native vegetation, as well as interesting boardwalks leading to waterfalls and lookouts. More native flora can be found at the George Pentland Botanic Gardens.

Trains departing from Flinders Street Station reach Frankston in approximately 1 hour and the trip takes under 40 minutes by car. Local buses connect Frankston to the rest of the Mornington Peninsula. Visit Frankston during the Frankston Waterfront Festival, an annual celebration held in mid-January that features live music, fun-filled community activities and a food and wine market. Don’t miss seeing some of the incredible sand sculptures that appear on Frankston Beach during the Sand Sculpting Australia exhibition throughout summer.