5 secret nature experiences in Frankston you only know if you're a local

More and more, we’re seeking a little oasis we can escape to when we’re craving that connection to the outdoors. While many people know of Frankston’s creative urban appeal and our coast, some of our nature experiences are perhaps a little less known.

Let us let you in on these local favourites.

Kananook Creek

If the bay is a little choppy, or even a little busy, but you’re keen to get on the water, Kananook Creek is your go to.

There is 7.5km of creek to enjoy, and if you’re keen to see it all, it will take you around 2 hours by kayak. As you make your way along the creek you’ll see charming little jetty’s and families of ducks. Bridges crisscross at various places, and not only look great for a photo, but they’re pretty cool to kayak under too!  Along the way you’ll find little picnic spots if you’re keen to pull in and rest for a while. One popular spot is near Riviera Street, and the Keast Park playground is nearby.

If you don’t have a kayak or SUP, don’t worry, you can hire either from Frankston Boat Hire. There is also a walking track along the creek that’s also popular with runners, riders and is pram and wheelchair friendly.

There are several launching points along the creek – Eel Race Road, Riviera Street, Station Street, McCulloch Avenue, Fiocchi Avenue – and there is a boat ramp near the creek mouth.

Keen for a coffee along the way?  One Pear Tree, is a beautiful café in a charming old weatherboard with an equally charming outdoor area.  Dogs are welcome too if you’ve brought them along for the ride.

Sweetwater Creek

Don’t be fooled by the name alone.  Yes this place has a great little creek, which we’ll get to in a sec but it’s the ‘in between bits’ that will have you intrigued in this natural nook.  The native bush is explored through bridges and boardwalks that climb and curve through this bushland reserve.  You’ll love the twists and turns along the loop track that guide you to granite rocks with the creek flowing through. If you’re there the right time of day, you might even spot one of the resident koalas.

It’s the perfect spot to explore on those days you want to escape the summer sun.

You’ll find Sweetwater Creek just across the road from Oliver’s Hill - one of Frankston’s most photographed locations. The views across the bay are stunning any time of day. Trust us, it’s worth the walk up the hill.

If all that exploring has worked up an appetite, (or a need for a little caffeine!) nearby on Norman Avenue you’ll find Mr Frankie – perfect for a weekend brunch or Little Olly’s for a caffeine hit with water views.

Frankston Nature Conservation Reserve

This is one of those spots you’ll visit, and say “I can’t believe I didn’t know this place existed!” Locals love it for its walking tracks, bike riding and views across the water towards Port Phillip Bay.

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, until recently, was closed off to the public. Wander under eucalypts canopies, amongst wattles, ti-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. It’s the perfect spot to explore by either foot or by bike. Don’t forget the camera too. 

Nearby you’ll find new kids on the block, Love Gretel. Cheeky and fun, it’s the kind of place where you’ll find pink lattes and scones in flower pots.  They serve a pretty tempting brunch as well.

Langwarrin Flora and Fauna

Looking for somewhere different for a little explore?
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Langwarrin Flora and Fauna Reserve is an island of relatively undisturbed natural bushland.  Home for half the ⁠plant and animal species indigenous to the Mornington Peninsula, this 214-hectare reserve, has a network of pram and wheelchair friendly tracks making it a perfect spot to walk for all skill levels.

⁠The park also has a place in military history, with almost 100 years of military use spanning from 1886 to 1979. During World War 1, German prisoners of war were detained at the reserve and a hospital was set up for the treatment of soldiers returning from France and Egypt. The site of a hospital for World War 1 soldiers can easily be recognised near the main entrance.
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Not only is it a great place to walk, but there are cycling tracks here too and even places to ride your horse, well, if you have one that is! Keep an eye out for the hidden huts too...

Lunch nearby?  Two Boys One Beagle and A Coffee Shop is a cafe in Karingal that brings a little touch of hip and charm to the ‘burbs’. Their all day brunch makes them popular with the locals, and if it’s “12pm somewhere” they even do cocktails too. 

Seaford Foreshore 

While many people know the beauty of Frankston foreshore – the coast, the boardwalk, Oliver’s Hill. Seaford foreshore is still a bit of a local secret.

A stroll through the Seaford Foreshore Reserve will take you into the Seaford Village. A popular trail for locals, the reserve follows the coastline and is full of indigenous flora and fauna. Tread softly and let the sounds of nature separate you from the urban world that surrounds it. 

As you get closer to the Seaford pier, keep an eye open for the wrought-iron sculpture called ‘The Hermitage’. Inspired by the tale of a local hermit who banished himself from society as punishment for a tragic mistake made at sea.  He lived in the ti-tree of the area building a fantasy world of shells, bottles and driftwood.

When you arrive at the Seaford Pier, refresh at the Seaford Beach Café, mere steps from the water, before taking off your shoes and hitting the beach.  In Seaford the tempo changes a little. The water is crystal blue, the sand is perfect white and the shallows are excellent for kids to paddle and play. One of Port Phillip’s hidden beach gems.

Curious to see more? Discover the walk and bike trails, sculptures or street art you can find in Frankston or some of our other natural attractions that you’ll enjoy.