15°C

Olivers Hill Lookout

Arts and Culture Frankston

Description

Scenic views across Port Phillip Bay.
Inspirational site for noted artists.

Description

As with all the locations blessed with a spectacular view, the nearest hill or mount has always become a firm favourite for romantic locals from which to survey their domain. Not surprisingly, Oliver's Hill has also attracted its fair share of artists including George O’Brien whose sun-drenched record dates from 1862. Fredrick McCubbin takes a more intimate position with his 1910 painting by locating the viewer within the bushland on the hill, looking out through a break in the trees to reveal the curve of the bay gleaming in the distance.

Robert Taylor-Ghee’s Frankston from Olivers Hill updates O’Brien’s scene with the pier jutting defiantly into the bay. In the foreground is the lookout and to the right, a 1920s jalopy struggles up the hill. The opening of the new road in 1913 was a cause for major celebration and sighs of relief. The previous track was notorious – a treacherous area that quagmired in winter causing fatalities as brakes, gears and horses collapsed.

On a more personal note is the moody Peter Pan Rock 1998 by Rick Amor featuring the boulder-strewn base of the hill, where middens, remnants of seashell feasts enjoyed by Frankston’s original inhabitants, the Boonerwrung people, can still be found.

 

"They used to go to Olivers Hill, and look at the sea. Look at the sunset, and all those type of things. In the FJ Holdens. Lots of FJ Holdens up there. Lots and lots. Big demand. Still is, I believe."
Jenny Bramwell, quoted in: Watson, 2001, p.99.

More Nearby

Zoetrope bridge

Zoetrope bridge

The Zoetrope Bridge, completed in March of 2012, is both a pedestrian and vehicle combined bridge constructed with the intension to increase and better the access available to the fishing and sailing ...
Olive and Pineapple Pizza

Olive and Pineapple Pizza

A family owned pizza shop. They took over recently and have said "it’s been an absolute pleasure to serve the community of Frankston and the surrounding suburbs." Over 50 pizzas to choose from. ...
Julian Clavijo

Julian Clavijo

Mural: ‘The Messenger’ - this mural is an open story. However, to the artist, the boy is the last human remaining after our societal-system made the planet collapse. He will remain in his child form f...
SOFLES

SOFLES

Artist Bio Russell Fenn, better known as Sofles, is an Australian graffiti artist originating from Brisbane. Self-taught, he has been honing his skills for over 20 years, exploring various mediums su...
Sweetwater Creek Reserve

Sweetwater Creek Reserve

Sweetwater Creek is a natural habitat corridor from Frankston Nature Conservation Reserve to Port Phillip Bay. Close to the mouth of the creek lies Sweetwater Creek Nature Reserve, a peaceful oasis tu...
The Spice Club

The Spice Club

Experience authentic Indian flavours right here in Frankston with The Spice Club. Specialising in the legendary and mouth-watering Indian food dishes of the Punjab region of North India, the Spice Cl...
Lucy Bonnin

Lucy Bonnin

Mural: Mary Jayne Artist Bio: Lucy Bonnin Lucy’s style and work is diverse, usually focusing on painting tonal realism with a signature touch of surrealism. Based in Adelaide, South Australia, ...
Aghi

Aghi

Artist Bio:Vesod was born in Turin, Italy in 1981 where he lives and works. His father, Dovilio Brero, a surrealistic painter, has fostered Vesod’s artistic attitude. Vesod has been developing an inte...
Little Spice

Little Spice

Little Spice is known for its high quality food and thriving to satisfy guests. They ensure consistency, authenticity of taste and quality through meticulous standards. They also practice the highest ...
Melbourne's Murals

Melbourne's Murals

Every year, around 113,000 Australians have a miscarriage, endure the pain of stillbirth and / or lose their baby in the first 28 days after birth. In acknowledgement of the babies lost, including th...

Map & Directions

Nepean Highway Frankston Victoria 3199