After months of lockdown and social hibernation, it’s time to reignite your curiosity, awaken your senses and spark your sense of discovery. Frankston is brimming with a new energy.
When the sun shines so does Frankston’s foodie scene. The sidewalks, streets and neighbourhood shopping strips are humming as outdoor dining is revived again. The fairy lights have gone up, there’s live music and people arrive with a buzz that will make you want to stay a while and enjoy the local vibe.
Renowned artists are continuing to etch out stories on the walls and regular street art tours revealing over 30 epic life size murals, are now part of every weekend’s fixture on Friday nights and weekend mornings.
Coupled with the City’s abundant open spaces, coastal vistas and reignited events calendar, Frankston is the ideal place for authentic creativity, vibrancy, and nature. It’s an evolving city with multiple layers to explore. It may not be the kind of place you once thought it was…
If you’re keen to ignite your curiosity, let us show you how.
1. Street Art Tours, by day or by night
Colourful street art tours now run every weekend. On a Friday night or weekend morning, local guides let you in on the artists’ inspo and stories (there’s nothing better than a local in the know!) as you explore the artworks which are not only colourful, they are powerful & thought provoking. They encourage us to celebrate, reflect, & start a conversation of new ideas. If you’re doing a tour by twilight there’s plenty of spots nearby to grab a drink or bite to eat nearby. Some local favourites include The Hop Shop, The Deck, Parcha or local icon the Grand Hotel.
2. Frankston made and locally loved
Frankston Made is an exciting new retail store in the Shannon Street Mall. It's a quirky, creative space, keen to support small artists, makers and creators. You’ll find really cool, one off pieces such as boho-inspired skirts, soaps that look like artworks and dog biscuits that look like fairy bread. If you’re in the mood for a cheeky cocktail too, their cocktail bar Forever Blue is opening in mid November, right next door. Shopping and cocktails? Day made.
3. Beer, German style with a feel good touch
You could say Frankston is certainly punching above its weight when you think about the number of breweries we have in our patch. The tally currently stands at four. Biersal Brewery is one of these new cool cats. Their beer style? German, inspired by travels to Hamburg and Berlin. They’re production is boutique, small scale, producing 9 kegs per beer. When you find a favourite new beer here, enjoy it, ‘cause you won’t find it in the big scale bottle shops. These beers are special finds. Sustainability is a big focus for these guys too. Their beer hall, designed very industrial chic, is created from recycled materials. The bar top is made from recycled Oregon, the beer paddles use railway spikes as handles. Even their beer production makes you feel good. Their remaining spelt grain goes to a local rescue chicken farm. Pretty cool hey. Above all else though, the beer, the atmosphere and the German touches, all make this the perfect place to settle in on a weekend afternoon. Keen for more? Check out our local Beer and Spirits Trail
4. Dinner atop of a rainbow
Rainbow floors, fairy lights, pastel coloured umbrellas. It’s got insta worth written all over it but even better, you’ll actually want to be there too, not just grab the pic and run. There are 3 great eateries that call this spot home along Norman Avenue. Mr Frankie was created by locals for locals, but what they really want, is people to have fun and bring their friends from all over so they can feel welcome too. The Pizzeria on Norman was born out of a love of food and passion for entertaining, specialising in wood fired pizzas that many a local loves. Flourish Café is a good spot for a relaxing brunch or afternoon catch up with friends. Get there early if you can. Spots get taken pretty quickly and for good reason too. The vibes relaxed, the music’s great and the food? Even better
5. Seaford vibe meets European summer
If you haven’t discovered Seaford yet, you are missing out. The tempo changes here. The pace slows. The water calms. But the fun, colour and good times are endless. Have you discovered the Spanish Bar in Seaford yet? If you’re in the mood for Sangria, tapas, paella, maybe even some grilled Octopus, you’ve found the right place. If you’re lucky, you’ll find yourself there one night where live Flamenco music fills the summer night air. Eating outside, you’ll be seated amongst sunflowers, bright wall murals and funky picnic tables to settle in for the evening. Local tip - we’ve heard the home made donuts are worth saving some room for too.
6. Spark your imagination somewhere unexpected
Did you know, McClelland Sculpture Park + Gallery is one of Australia’s largest outdoor sculpture parks? With more than 100 pieces throughout the 16 hectares of coastal bush it’s the kind of place that will ignite all your senses. As you walk the paths and turn corners, discover sculpture after sculpture embedded within the indigenous and manicured gardens. Your interpretation of one piece could be completely different to those discovering it with you. Our tip? One of the most popular sculptures is the wind activated, ‘Tree of Life’. You’ll see it on the open grass lawns as you come in. As you approach it, watch it move and glide with grace. Then stand directly under it, look up. Has it changed? Ask your friends which view they liked better, as you have lunch in the café or a picnic on the lawn.
7. Gin tales of global travels
If gin is your thing, add That Spirited Lot to your weekend to do list. This is a boutique family distillery in every sense. Two brothers and two sisters, they are 100% independent with fun and creativity at the core of everything they do. The stories of their gin inspiration will take you around the world, such as the South East Asian influenced Hawker market Gin and their pretty as a picture Island Flower Gin. Not only are their gins and cocktails pretty epic, they’ve even scooped up a number of local and international awards within the first couple of years since opening. These guys are another stop on the Beer and Spirits Trail.
8. A local arts discovery – your way
Sometimes you just want to do things at your own pace. No crowds, no rush, no timeline.
Frankston has an enviable array of arts and culture and now you can discover these through newly launched digital walking tours. Using iBeacon technology, both the Coastal Arts Discovery Trail and the city’s street art are now available to explore.
The tours will activate videos, photos and voiceovers telling the story behind each artwork before leading you to the next location. All you need is the Discover Frankston mobile app, and you’re away. Fully independent, the walking tours are a great way to experience these creative and bold artworks at your own pace, in your own time and crowd free.
9. A natural beauty, 95 years hidden.
Everyone loves a hidden secret, especially one that was hidden away for 95 years. Frankston Nature Conservation Reserve is 98 hectares of beautiful natural bush that was once closed off to the public. Wander under eucalypts canopies, amongst wattles, tea trees and wildflowers. As you walk around the blue waters of the reservoir featured at the centre of the reserve, you’ll get spectacular views of the Melbourne city skyline and Port Phillip Bay. It’s the perfect spot to explore by either foot or by bike. Don’t forget the camera too.
10. Summer Events are back!
Frankston has some incredible events coming, and summer is the perfect time to kick start them. Mark these on the calendar, ‘cause you’re not going to want to miss this!
Frankston’s Magical Christmas – November 27 – December 24
Little Beauty Market – November 27th
GoFish Peninsula - December 10 – 12
That’s just the beginning… The Waterfront Festival is back, Ventana returns, plus a little extra we’ll tell you about soon.