Section1: Frankston and the Bay

1.1 Creek, Beach and Hill

The present city of Frankston follows an arc of the eastern shore of Port Phillip Bay. A large part of the present character of Frankston derives from this curving boundary between land and sea. Frankston's character has largely been shaped by this waterfront, especially in the appeal of the locality to holiday-makers from Melbourne. At some stages these were predominantly day-trippers, at other stages monthly or weekly visitors, and in some parts of the municipality, especially Mt. Eliza and Long Island, these have become long-term residents building retirement homes or holiday homes close to the water.

At the southern end of the City, the hills of Mt. Eliza and Oliver's Hill stand out over the northern stretch of Frankston. The course of the Kananook Creek separates these heights of Frankston from the flat land following the beachfront to the northern boundary. The beach, the hills, cliffs and bays of the southern parts of the city and the course of the Kananook Creek establish the physical parameters of Frankston's urban form.

3 'Pier and Promenade': the pier (c1857) much as it is today but with a greatly changed promenade, no cars to be seen. [Mark Brody postcard, Armstrong collection, c1907]