It's impossible to run out of things to do. Not when you can drive half an hour in any direction and be in a different suburb that has its own unique mix of communities, cuisine, housing styles, and local attractions.
A trip to Frankston, an eastern bayside suburb 90 minutes from Hoppers Crossing and 41 km from Melbourne, feels like a stop on a holiday drive route, even for residents like us.
Here are the top 5 reasons why we love Frankston:
1. The Beach.
Endless stretches of beach for all to enjoy. It was wonderful just to sit and watch people and pets make the most of the afternoon.
The friendly dalmatian that looked like it had just bounded off the set of "101 Dalmatians".
Yachters and powerboaters.
The girls had a blast with their shovels and rakes.
J promptly sat down - fully clothed - the minute CA put her down on the sand.
I remember Beth was the same age when we visited the Gold Coast in '03. She refused to let her toes come in contact with the sand and had to be carried the whole time we were at the beach! She laughed when I reminded her of the incident.
2. The Bridge.
Beth and I saw a picture of the bridge on the Internet and were intrigued by its design, so we all went for a walk on it.
The bridge at Kananook Creek is a major feature of the waterfront, with a Sydney Harbour Bridge-like suspension bridge and views of Port Philip Bay.
3. The Food.
Lucky Le is a Vietnamese cafe strategically located on street level of the brand-new Bayside Entertainment Centre on Wells St.
When we visited, they had a $10.90 lunch special, which includes a main and house wine/soft drink/soup of the day. By Ozzie standards, that is cheap.
Beth had the Chicken Satay Skewers, which are nothing like the chicken satay Singaporeans know.
CA had the lemongrass chicken.
I opted for something I'd never heard of: salt and pepper baked pork with steamed bok choy.
Verdict: Mmmm to everything!
J had a bit of everyone's food, including the veg spring rolls. She particularly loved the minced pork and vermicelli soup, the same base they use for pho I think.
Beth took up dad's challenge and tried a Thai basil leaf. She is nothing if not consistent...a non-Spice Girl. ;-)
4. The Location.
Frankston and its neighbouring suburbs make for a great coastal drive. We chose the Nepean Highway for its fabulous sea views.
From the West Gate Bridge, take the St. Kilda Road and follow the coast southwards through Brighton, Cheltenham, Mentone, Mordialloc, Edithvale, Chelsea, Bonbeach, Carrum, Seaford and Frankston.
The only difference between Frankston and its northern neighbours, we reckon, is its relatively affordable house prices. It is still possible to purchase a 3-bedroom house for under $300K in Frankston, especially in Frankston North, which is undervalued because of perception and image issues (higher crime, lower socio-economic area).
5. The Vibe.
Frankston has a strong feel-good vibe to it. It is a city that is proud of how far it has come, confident of what the future has in store, and eager to show outsiders what else it is capable of.
On the waterfront, right at the end of The Bridge, is a restaurant called Sofia's, that serves the biggest ice cream cone you have ever seen. The multiple scoops - the lady just kept piling them on - were 2/3's the size of J's face. All for just $3.
Next to Sofia's is the Visitor Information Centre, with its brochures suggesting what you can see and do in Frankston. What better way to brand yourself as a serious tourist destination.
Frankston boasts a huge shopping centre (Bayside S.C.) and a thriving cultural/commercial strip in the CBD, plus top educational facilities such as Chisholm TAFE and the Monash Uni Peninsula campus.
Frankston is also at the tail end of the EastLink freeway extension that is under construction and due for completion this year. When completed, it is expected to bring Frankston closer to the CBD.
Frankston is a Transit City identified by the State Government in its Melbourne 2030 plan for sustainable growth. Being identified as a Transit City is seen to be a good indicator of a city's prospects because it means the State Government is prepared to inject millions of dollars into improving roads, infrastructure etc.
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