Ventana Fiesta

The 2011 Ventana Fiesta is on again on 19 March 2011 at the Wells Street Plaza, Frankston (Melway Ref: 100A D7).

Get your dancing and soccer shoes out for this unique cultural event with Latin Dancing and music.

The event will feature cooking demonstrations and tastings, dance workshops, dance and music performances, children`s activities, storytelling, Zumba and craft market and food stalls.

Don`t miss the Ventana Fiesta and bring along your dancing, soccer and beach wear!

Twilight Jazz at Cruden Farm

Twilight Jazz at Dame Elisabeth Murdoch`s Cruden Farm is back again for 2011. The event is on Saturday 5th February 2011 from 4-8pm.

Tickets are $15 for pre-booked, or $20 on the day at the gate. Children under 12 are FREE

Bring your picnic basket, rug, table and chairs and sit back and enjoy the ambience and surrounds of the beautiful garden. You can enter Cruden Farm via Cranbourne Road, Langwarrin (Mel Ref: 103 G6).

Best Beaches on the Mornington Peninsula

The Mornington Peninsula has some of the best beaches in Australia with an array of different beaches, with something for everybody. The beaches range from the thundering surf of the Southern Peninsula to the calm sandy beaches of Port Phillip Bay to the tranquillity of Western Port. Whether it`s swimming, surfing or just a nice stroll along the beach you are after, the Peninsula is the perfect spot to suit your tastes.

Here is a look at the best beaches the Mornington Peninsula has to offer

Bay Beach

Frankston Beach offers stretches of clear shallow water and soft sand, great for young and old. It is a perfect spot for family picnics, or a lazy day of lounging in the sun. Frankston has a 200m pier and waterfront boardwalk and is also located close to the Frankston CBD with plenty of food options, from take-away to restaurants.

Rye Beach also offers stretches of clear shallow water and soft sand, great for young children with sand banks and beautiful warm water. There are lots of gems hidden behind the tea trees and a little walk from your car park will lead you to a wonderful discovery.





Surf Beach

Gunnamatta Surf Beach and Portsea Surf Beach are two of the best surf beaches in Victoria. Located at opposite ends of the Mornington Peninsula National Park these spectacular beaches are renowned for their huge waves. Waves of 2m plus are not uncommon, making these beach breaks a must for experienced surfers. Both beaches are patrolled every day in the holiday period and at weekends up until Easter. Conditions can be hazardous for swimmers and swimming between the flags is a must. The best conditions for swimming are usually at low tide and on days with the Northerly wind blowing.

All Round Beach

Sorrento Ocean Beach also known as Sorrento Back Beach offers something for everybody. It`s famous rock pool makes for ideal swimming for kids of all ages, while surfing and swimming are also possible at the patrolled beach. It is a safer beach than Portsea and Gunnamatta, but can still be treacherous with best swimming conditions at low tide. There is a great walk up to the nearby Coppins Lookout, which offers majestic views of the ocean from Pt Nepean to Cape Schanck.

Swimming Beach

Pt Leo Surf Beach is an ideal middle beach for swimmers. It doesn`t have the rips and huge waves of Portsea and Gunnamatta, or the tame gentle waters of Port Phillip. Located in Western Port and facing Bass Strait this beach still attracts waves and is ideal for bodysurfers and less experienced surfers, while also still being patrolled for swimmers.



Walking Beaches

There are some great walking beaches and walks on the Mornington Peninsula. London Bridge in Portsea provides amazing rock formations and plenty of rockpools for the kids to explore, and its only a 20 minute walk back along the beach to Portsea Surf Beach. Koonya Ocean Beach in Blairgowrie is another spectacular beach to walk along, but is not for swimming as it is one of the most dangerous beaches of the peninsula. At one end of the beach a track leads to Spray Point where huge waves regularly crash against the rocks below.

Frankston Waterfront Festival

Centenary Park Golf Course Twilight Special

The Centenary Park Golf Course Summer Golf Twilight Special is on again. Play as much golf as you can after 2:00pm for only $15, Monday to Friday.

Centenary Park Golf Course is located at McClelland Drive, Frankston (Melway Ref: 100 F10)

For more Details http://www.centenarypark.com.au/ or 9789 1480

Centenary Park Golf Course Information

Frankston Waterfront Festival

The Frankston Waterfront Festival is on again from 15-16 January 2011.
Frankston`s annual summer festival by the sea is not to be missed. With an eclectic mix of music and entertainment, food and wine, plus plenty of stalls, activities and free tastings and displays this is a wonderful festival for the whole family to enjoy.

Frankston Waterfront Festival (Melway Ref: 100A A9)

2011 Victorian PGA Golf Championship at Sandhurst Golf Club

The 2011 Victorian PGA Golf Championship in being held in Frankston City at the Sandhurst Golf Club. The event will be held from 10-16 January 2011 at 600 Thompsons Road, Sandhurst (Melway Ref: 128 C8).

Peninsula Savings – Mornington Peninsula Attractions Pass

There are great savings to be had with the Mornington Peninsula Attractions Pass. The Mornington Peninsula Attractions Pass (adults $49, children $39, valid for 3 months) includes entry to the following popular Mornington Pensinsula Attractions:

Peninsula Hot Springs

Ashcombe Maze and Lavender Gardens

Cape Schanck Lighthouse

Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park

The Frankston Undercover Market

The Frankston Undercover Market is on Saturday 11th December 2010 at the Heart Arcade, 16-20 Wells Street Frankston. The market will feature Arts, Crafts, Food, Gifts, Jewellery and new & second hand goods. The Frankston Undercover Market is open from 10am to 2pm and will be held once a month on the second Saturday of the month from October to March. If you are interested in having a stall, please call 8707 0768.

How to Sell Handcrafts at Local Markets for Fun and Profit

Frankston Waterfront Sand Sculpting Exhibition

Sand artists from all around the world have returned to the Frankston foreshore for the annual Frankston Waterfront Sand Sculpting Exhibition. This year`s theme is Creepy Crawlies. A spectacular exhibition of sand sculpting featuring giant creepy crawlies such as beetles, bugs, butterflies, dragonflies, ladybirds, spiders, slugs, scorpions and many others. There will also be activities to keep the family entertained. The event opens on 26 Dec 2010 and runs until 26 April 2011.

January – December open daily from 10:00am to 9:00pm
February – April open Monday to Thursday from 10:00am to 4:00pm, Friday to Sunday and public holidays 10:00am to 6:00pm

Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for concession, $7 for children (4-12) with children under 4 free.

Located at the Frankston Waterfront (Melway Ref: 100A A8). Tickets available at the gate (cash only) or prepay with card at the Frankston Visitor Information Center, Pier Promenade.

The Frankston Undercover Market

Frankston`s Christmas Festival of Lights

Celebrating its 13th year, Frankston`s Christmas Festival of Lights is a wonderful opportunity to bring the family together and celebrate Christmas. The event is on Saturday, 27 November 2010 from 5:00pm to 10:00pm at Davey Street, Frankston (Melway ref: 100A C8). The festival will come to life again this year with host, Network Ten`s Mike Larkan, for an evening of fun, festivities and family entertainment.

The highlights will include:

Santa`s House – where children can meet Santa
North Pole – Children`s Activity Centre
Art and Craft
St Luke`s Anglican Church Live Nativity Scene
Meet and Greet Shrek
Live on Stage – Scooby Doo
Rides and Amusement
Sound and Light Show – lighting of Christmas Tree

Make sure you don`t miss Frankston`s Christmas Festival of Lights

Find Out How To Import Cars From Japan and Save $$$$$$$!

Steve Biddulph in Frankston

Steve Biddulph, the author of Raising Boys and child psychologist will make an appearance at the Frankston Arts Centre on Monday, 25 October. Steve Biddulph offers simple practical ways to help boys to grow up to be happy, positive, caring and motivated. The event will be held at the Frankston Arts Centre, Playne Street, Frankston from 7:30pm – 9:15pm and costs $10 per adult. Bookings are required as places will sell quickly. To book call 9784 1060 or visit http://www.artscentre.frankston.vic.gov.au/.

Pet`s Day Out

Pet`s Day Out is on again this Sunday, 10th October 2010 from 10:00 am to 4:00pm. Treat your pet and family to a fantastic FREE day of tasty treats, entertainment and displays. Free children`s activities include: Amusement Rides, Face Painting, Giant Animal Farm, Reptile Display, and Pony Rides. The event will also feature special guest Dr Chris Brown from “Bondi Vet”, who will host the PETstock Pet Parade. Pet`s Day Out will be held at Ballam Park, Cranbourne Road, Frankston (Melway Ref, 103 B5).

Mornington Peninsula Gallery`s In the Japanese Manner

Mornington is turning Japanese. The Mornington Peninsula Gallery`s in the Japanese Manner is showcasing works of famous Australian artists influenced by the art of Japan. Fans of vibrant flora and fauna prints made by Margaret Preston will have the chance to see her work. The exhibition features colourful and technically brilliant works on paper by the likes of Preston, Thea Proctor, Ethel Spowers, Lionel Lindsay, Violet Teague and Napier Waller. All the works are inspired by traditional Japanese woodblock printing art. The exhibition will run from September 8, 2010 at the Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery Civic Reserve, Dunns Rd, Mornington, Victoria.

Step-By-Step Guide to Identifying, Finding, Cultivating, Protecting & Maintaining Beautiful Bonsai Trees!

Red Hill Winter Wine Fest

Red Hill Showgrounds will hold a Winter Wine Fest on Saturday, June 12th. The Red Hill Winter Wine Fest will showcase the produce of more than 50 peninsula wineries. The launch event is the Winter Wine Fest on Saturday but there is more for the lovers of wine over the weekend with the Winter Wine Weekend. This weekend 50-plus peninsula wineries are throwing open cellar doors and pulling bungs on barrels to showcase the diversity of the Mornington Peninsula wine region, which is just on Melbourne`s door-step at just an hour`s drive away.

Sorrento Food and Wine Festival

Sorrento is staging its first food and wine festival next week with 20 events over 6 days. It will be a feast of food, jazz and shiraz. The Sorrento food and wine festival is from June 6-11 and will feature jazz and shiraz, masterclasses, cooking demonstrations and tastings, gourmet menus, music, film, art and wine tasting at various locations around town.

Mornington Peninsula Attractions

Jazz & Shiraz

If you love great jazz music then you must see Melbourne based pop-jazz singer-songwriter Connie Lansberg. Connie`s music is reminiscent of Blossom Dearie and June Christy, but with the modern edge of Sade and Sting. In Melbourne, Connie hosts frequent Jazz & Shiraz nights and captivates audiences at her Friday night residency at Capital Kitchen in Chadstone. This is a must see for all of those jazz lovers. Please check out Connie`s MySpace link below for more details.

www.myspace.com/connielansbergquartet

Mornington Tourist Railway

The Mornington Peninsula has its own heritage railway, The Mornington Tourist Railway. Move over Puffing Billy and come and enjoy this beautiful railway restored to pristine condition. The Mornington Tourist Railway runs between Moorooduc and Mornington, on the first three Sundays of each month.

Mornington Peninsula Attractions

Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Park

The Moonli Sanctuary Wildlife Park located at 550 Tyabb – Tooradin Rd, Pearcedale specialises in after dark visits. The park was opened about 10 years ago with the nocturnal creatures the star of the show. There are more than 200 animals from 50 species living on the park, including endangered species such as squirrel gliders and Tasmanian devils. Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Park is open daily from 11am to 5pm. Day admission costs $12 for adults and $7.50 for children. Night tours are $27 for adults and $16 for children. Make a visit to Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Park next for your travel plans.

Japanese Garden

Victoria Masters Invitational Snooker at the Frankston RSL

Some of Australia`s best snooker players will compete in the Victoria Masters Invitational Snooker Tournament at the Frankston RSL on Sunday, May 23 from 10:30am to 5pm. Entry is free for spectators. The excitement of Neil Robertson`s win in the World Snooker Championship will hopefully increase the profile of the sport in Australia with Australian number two, Steve Mifsud competing at the event.

Mornington Peninsula Garden Pass

A great way to view the spectacular gardens of the Mornington Peninsula is through a Mornington Peninsula garden pass. The garden pass allows you to spend a day visiting three Mornington Peninsula gardens with a single $39 pass. It includes entry to Ashcombe Maze & Lavender Garden, Australian Garden and Heronswood Garden, each offering a different unique experience.

Ashcombe Maze & Lavender Garden

The Japanese Garden