This itinerary is designed for people in their mid 20s to mid 30s, living within 3 hours of Frankston, and wanting to take a road trip to discover local secrets and make the most of now.
This is going to be YOUR day. It’s time to turn your weekend up a notch. Grab some mates, get the playlist ready, and take a 45 minute drive down the coast.
Playful and bold Frankston welcomes you for a four day weekend of fun and colourful spontaneity.
The time is NOW.
DAY ONE – THIS IS GOING TO BE YOUR DAY.
MORNING.
Make your way to the heart of the city and check into the Nightcap at the Cheeky Squire, the perfect launch pad for your weekend adventures.
Leave the car behind and seek out that sea breeze. The iconic Frankston waterfront is just a 2 minute walk from your front door.
You may have got the highlights from the Discover Frankston team before you came (or on the drive down), but a quick call into the Visitor Information Centre (VIC) will give you the chance to meet some of the super passionate locals, get your bearings and find those hidden gems which aren’t publicised widely. Download the Discover Frankston app they tell you about, and keep that local info in your back pocket, it will come in super handy.
With inspiration in-hand it is time to start exploring. First recommendation from the VIC team, a walk along the waterfront board walk and up to Olivers Hill. Beware of the Crab Riders on your path. Kidding, no crabs, it’s a human size crab sculpture that takes a front row seat at the waterfront.
Olivers Hill is Frankston’s most snapped locations with epic views across the bay. The views are worth the insta story any time of day, whether it be sunshine bouncing off the water, the lights of Melbourne CBD at night or a sunset take over. Whatever your preference, it’s worth the walk up the hill.
AFTERNOON + EVENING.
Being beside the water beckons fish ‘n’ chips, don’t you think? The base of Olivers Hill is home to two food caravans, always popular with the locals. Grab a coffee from Little Olly’s and your lunch from Cripps Fish & Chips before settling in for a little people watching before popping across the road, to explore Sweetwater Creek. This tranquil retreat with curving paths under amazing tree canopies, leads to bridges over rock pools and past the homes of the local koalas.
To give the feet a little break, grab one of the city’s peddle assisted, zero emission ebikes and ride (glide) back along the foreshore towards your accommodation. Make a slight detour over Frankston’s iconic Landmark Bridge and along Long Island Drive for more fresh sea air and some pretty special water views too.
It’s Friday night and the sunset cocktails are calling. Located just across the road from your accommodation, you’ll find The Deck. It’s rooftop bar has some of the best sunset views and delivers the playful vibes under fairy lights. The perfect way to get the weekend started.
Insta tip? Grab a table by the window at The Deck's rooftop bar and not only will you get that sunset shot across the bay, but also check out the colourful rhino, just near the bar. Look up or you'll miss it...
DAY TWO – LET’S TURN IT UP A NOTCH
MORNING.
Let's start the day with a guilt free breaky.
As you walk into Nature Cafe Bar, the first thing you notice is the avalanche of colour. It’s in the flowers on the tables, the vines that climb to the roof and the murals bringing life to the walls. With a focus on vegan and vegetarian dishes, the best part is, the food tastes as good as it looks.
It’s time to explore the water like never before. Peninsula Waterbikes are fresh on the Frankston scene and have created quite the buzz. Imagine a normal bike, but with two inflatable hot dog looking shapes either side keeping you afloat. Very cool, and surprisingly, very easy to ride.
If you are up to a dive though, the marine life under the Frankston pier is spectacular. Dive Line can help fit you out for an underwater experience you won't forget. Fish, corals and seahorses put on an epic show of colour and movement in the artificial reef just out from the end of the pier.
Insta Tip? You can actually ride the waterbikes underneath the pier. Grab a mate to snap a shot just as you go under. The colours of the water, bikes and pier blend together for a cool snap.
AFTERNOON + EVENING.
Lunch is at Parçha a fresh Turkish tapas and wine bar, in the city centre. A large welcome entry connects inside dining with the outside. Coupled with live acoustic music, it creates the perfect space to graze over shared pide and conversations.
The street art you spotted on the way through the city to lunch? Now it’s time to see it all. For 5 years, the Big Picture Fest has been creating a labyrinth of street art across the city’s buildings and laneways. The Street Art Walking Tours (recently named best Street Art Tour in the Australian Street Art Awards) are by far the best way to see and learn more about the artworks and artists. During the 90 minute tour your local guide will tell you the stories behind each piece and its artist and why there’s often a deeper meaning to the mural than what it might first seem….
The tour conveniently finishes right near The Hop Shop and it would rude not to ‘hop in’ for a quick drink and perhaps a bite to eat. Settle in by the fire in winter, or the courtyard in summer and sample the local brews. They pride themselves on being Frankston’s independent home of curated craft beer and their partnership with the infamous Bang Bang team means that great beer, wine and cider is paired with delicious morsels of Asian fusion bites.
It’s Saturday night so that calls for live music, and just down the road you'll find the iconic Pier Bandroom. A pillar in Frankston's music scene, the Bandroom was once known as 21st Century Nightclub. You may have heard of its revolving dance floor? Nowadays, the Bandroom is the place to see the biggest and best names in live music. Up and coming local acts play in the intimate setting of the Pelly Bar and large Australian and international bands take centre stage in the main bandroom. Grab a drink, your mates and get ready for an epic night out.
DAY THREE – THIS PLACE IS JUMPING
MORNING.
Sundays call for lazy sleep-ins and brunch at One Pear Tree. Settle into their tree filled courtyard and enjoy the comforts of a Sunday breakfast and caffeine hit as you ease into the day.
You’re awake, fed and caffeinated, it’s time to get the heart pumping with a visit to Melbourne Cable Park. Bounce, slide and splash your way through and over 300m of bridges, slides and trampolines in their epic Aqua Park course. You can even try your first wakeboarding session? If flying high or staying dry is more your thing, they have the ultimate high ropes adventure across 5 different levels.
On your way back, stop in at Seaford Village. The streets are filled with trendy cafes and restaurants, bustling with people at all times of day.
AFTERNOON + EVENING.
Seaford Village is full of shops with personality. If you’re keen to take home something local, wander into Aquire Design & Art Studio. Our hot tip? Check out Creek and Bay’s range of house-made jewellery, inspired by music, places and Australian living.
Feel like a taste of Italy? At Gelato Unou you’ll find Piero, a third generation Master Gelato Chef all the way from Sicily, who makes gelato fresh every day. Try their amazing gelato cannoli or indulge in a share bowl – just make sure you have your phone ready to snap it when you see it.
Cross at the traffic lights, and head over to the Seaford Pier. Another classic sunset photo op. The water is those enviable colours of blue and aqua that look like they have a filter on it. Not only is it a good spot to enjoy your gelato, but there’s a pretty cool sculpture there too called Intervention. A hump back whale, in the hands of its rescuer, or is it its hunter. You decide…
It’s time to slow the tempo a little. Frankston Brewhouse, on the Beer and Spirits Trail, is the local favourite for a Sunday session. Owned by proud locals, this place is the newest kid on the Frankston brewery scene, creating beers close to theirs and locals’ hearts including the Long Island Lager (remember the tip to ride down Long Island Drive?) Settle in with their tapas, live music and let the arvo blend into evening.
DAY FOUR – YOU AIN’T SEEN NOTHING YET?
It's your last day, but you don't need to slow down just yet. Jump the queue at check out and start the day with a morning Stand Up Paddle (SUP) at Frankston Nature Conservation Reserve. This place was locked away for 95 years, only recently opening up for the public to enjoy. At the centre of the reserve you’ll find the blue waters of the reservoir. With the launching spot an easy walk from the car park, it’s the perfect place to catch your breath and enjoy the stillness of the morning.
Now you've worked up an appetite, 10 minutes drive up the road, you’ll find Two Boys One Beagle and a Coffee Shop. This neighbourhood favourite brings a little touch of hip and charm to the ‘burbs’. Luckily their Sunday Market French toast isn’t just reserved for Sundays.
All road trips should have a touch of culture yeah? McClelland Sculpture Park + Gallery, Australia’s largest outdoor sculpture park, brings together the curious, the zany, the beautiful and the brainy. Look at their pieces from different angles. Look at them upside down even. Lay on the grass and watch the sky high Tree of Life move.
Before hitting the road, stop in at Brambles Berry Farm. Here you can pick blackberries, raspberries and even brambleberries (yeah we had to google that one too). Fill the boot and your belly before the drive home.
Insta Tip? Final tip, get all your friends together and capture yourselves in a pic with the Tree of Life. It's a challenge, but makes a great shot if you can get it!
Discover more at
Discoverfrankston.com or follow @discoverfrankston