23°C

Kananook Creek Walking Trail

Nature and Wildlife Frankston

Description

Phone: 1300 322 842

Starting near the Frankston Yacht Club site, follow Kananook Creek along the 7.5km walking trail, through urban Frankston and Long Island, into the peace and serenity of rural Seaford and Carrum. Trains at Seaford or Carrum can return you to Frankston.

Description

Rising in the Carrum Swamp and some 12 kilometres long, Kananook Creek has for millennia been an integral feature of the Frankston region. The Boonerwrung people knew it as a reliable source of water and fish, and, when the annual spawning of eels occurred, would meet on the hills overlooking its banks, conducting trade and holding ceremonies. First explored by Europeans from the schooner Cumberland in 1803, the creek was also known as the Tangenong or Carronyulk before the name Kananook was settled on (there are conflicting theories as to the meaning of this name).

This site where the Kananook meets the bay has altered dramatically over the years. Originally, it doubled back on itself for some distance before joining the salt water, but as can be seen in James A. Turner’s painting, a calm-water refuge had already been engineered by 1888 to allow safe refuge for fishing boats. Peter Ingram Cox’s view of the creek’s mouth features a bridge the stood for many years in the mid-20th century. The inclusion by both artists of the many boats is also an important historical point, for boat building was an important local industry for many years.

The first suspension bridge over the creek was built in 1875 by Mark Young, host of the Pier Hotel, to allow his patrons easy access to the sea-baths he owned. With the appearance of other guest houses backing on to the creek, further bridges were built at Fiocci and Allawah avenues, with a more substantial timber example constructed at the entrance to Long Island, now known as Mile Bridge (where the ghost of a young girl was once rumoured to haunt).

In a series of intimate etchings made between 1944 and 1971, local artist John Farmer captured some of the creek’s quite nooks. Another resident, novelist Myra Morris, also painted here. Her painting Foreshore, Frankston (1930s) shows the scene at the end of Davey Street, and depicts the bridge crossing the creek there. Using this painting as a reference, her nephew Rick Amor recreated the composition in The Beach 1995; however, both artists have tinkered with reality, as the sea cannot actually be seen from the same vantage point.
With the recent redevelopment of the foreshore, including a new bridge designed by Aspect Pty Ltd, Frankston City Council commissioned the artist-poet Evangelos Sakaris to create a public artwork responding to the site. Text from his evocative and image-laden poem I, Kananook 2006 can be found inscribed along the uprights now delineating the mouth of the creek.

Download Kananook Creek Walking Trail map walk

walk

More Nearby

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...
Seagulls Greek Taverna

Seagulls Greek Taverna

Since 1985, Seagulls Greek Taverna has led the community on an epicurean journey, providing the internationally underrated flavours of Greece.  Founded by Nick Karageorgopoulos over 35 years ago...
Vertical Wave

Vertical Wave

Public sculpture by Hikaru Yumura from Japan. Artists interpretation: 'My work is the essence that comes out of the talk with the natural stone. I think not nature and art.' Located at Peninsula Aqu...
Halong2

Halong2

HALONG2 Vietnamese Restaurant is where delicious cuisine is created with the ingenuity and passion inspired by the fantastic flavours of Vietnam. Family owned and operated, HALONG2 is where you ...
Budget Rent A Car

Budget Rent A Car

At Budget Car & Truck Rental we are dedicated to providing our customers with the highest level of customer service and offer high quality and innovative rental services providing true value to ou...
Ballam Park Regional Playground

Ballam Park Regional Playground

Ballam Park provides a great day out for people of all ages, with two regional playground areas, 30 hectares of open areas, a number of tracks to walk and sporting fields including a pr...
Kananook Creek Association

Kananook Creek Association

Kananook Creek is located some 35 kms south of Melbourne, just a short walk from Port Phillip Bay, Seaford Foreshore Reserve and the internationally protected Seaford Wetlands. Commencing at Carrum, ...
As She Lay

As She Lay

Artist Bio:Loretta Lizzio is a Gold Coast based artist and illustrator whose work adorns walls and galleries throughout Australia and beyond. Her work explores romanticism, nature and evokes a strong ...
Hotel Lona

Hotel Lona

Family-owned Lona Group – the folks behind Barca Food & Wine, Lona hospitality venues and Sedgley & Sons Winery – have brought their latest hospitality venue to the Peninsula. Housed in one o...
All the Green Year

All the Green Year

Artist Bio: Brigitte and Melissa are visual storytellers with 40 years’ experience and a keen eye for detail. They teamed up ten years ago to beautify walls in streets, homes and businesses. They love...

More Like This

walking trails nature reserves cultural heritage
Beauty Park

Beauty Park

Beauty Park links Frankston Waterfront with Frankston's George Pentland Botanic Gardens. It's a beautiful spot for a walk or stroll. Features: Playground with 5.8 metre high climbing net, com...
Frankston Park Gates

Frankston Park Gates

The Frankston Oval Gates were obtained from the Old Melbourne Gaol that had parts previously demolished. The massive iron gates were erected at the Frankston Oval where gate posts were built by stone ...
Frankston War Memorial

Frankston War Memorial

 The Frankston War Memorial hosted it's first Anzac Day Ceremony on 25 April 2016. Images are available in the photo gallery. The Frankston War Memorial is located in Beauty Park ...
Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Statue

Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Statue

A LIFE-size bronze sculpture of Dame Elisabeth Murdoch is located in the foyer of the Frankston Arts Centre.  The statue, commemorating the late philanthropist's contribution to her local commun...
The Pines Flora and Fauna Reserve

The Pines Flora and Fauna Reserve

The Pines Flora and Fauna Reserve is an important area of remnant heathland; a protected site for indigenous flora and fauna, some of which are considered to be rare or threatened. It is one of the la...
Kananook Creek Walking Trail

Kananook Creek Walking Trail

Rising in the Carrum Swamp and some 12 kilometres long, Kananook Creek has for millennia been an integral feature of the Frankston region. The Boonerwrung people knew it as a reliable source of water ...
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...
Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Arboretum

Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Arboretum

The Arboretum has become a very attractive local park and it is a great spot for a walk. It is extremely popular for outdoor weddings and photographs. It is an ideal educational facility that can be a...
Yamala Mansion

Yamala Mansion

Yamala was one of the earliest mansions built on Oliver’s Hill. It was purchased in 1876 by Sir John Madden (1844-1918) who later became Chief Justice of Victoria, and was appointed Lieutenant Governo...
Langwarrin Flora and Fauna Reserve

Langwarrin Flora and Fauna Reserve

Langwarrin Flora and Fauna Reserve is an island of relatively undisturbed natural bushland surrounded by the suburbs of Frankston and Langwarrin. The park has an important place in military history wi...

Map & Directions

7N Pier Promenade Frankston