FRANKSTON. Whether you love it or loathe it, the south-eastern Victorian suburb is famous (or infamous) for a number of reasons.

It's constantly the butt-end of jokes (Franghanistan), visited by Sam Newman every few weeks for The Footy Show's Street Talk and is the home of controversial MP Geoff Shaw.

But have you ever actually travelled south down the Nepean Highway to check out "Franga" for yourself? Are you aware that the seaside mecca is actually a beautiful destination to take the family to relax or experience arts and culture?

For the most part, Frankston's reputation precedes itself, with most people preferring to lock their car doors and keep on driving swiftly through "Funkytown" on their way down the peninsula to Mornington or Portsea.

But if you stop sometime to smell the roses, you may discover that this thriving suburb has many striking sights that will make you want to come back and visit again and again.



EVENTS AND PLACES TO SEE IN FRANKSTON

News_Image_File: Competitors in the water at IronMan Frankston. Picture: David Waring. Source: Supplied.

International Ironman Asia-Pacific Championship

Frankston plays host to arguably one of the biggest events on the international sporting calendar, when the annual Asia-Pacific ironman championship begins at Frankston beach.

The 2014 event will have more than 2500 competitors, 50.7% of whom come from outside Victoria, and it sold out in a world-record time of less than five minutes.

Frankston Council estimates that 10,000 people come to watch the event and stay in Frankston before and after it's been run, with the global television audience giving Frankston invaluable exposure.

News_Image_File: It can take hours to sculpt some of the masterpieces at the Frankston Sand Sculpture exhibition, but they are worth it! Picture: HWT image library.

Sand Sculpting Australia exhibition

Every summer, the Frankston waterfront is transformed as 3500 tonnes of sand is carved into remarkable sand sculptures. International and Australian sculptors bring to life a number of different scenes and creatures and it needs to be seen up close to really appreciate the detail that goes into creating these sandy pieces of art. We've heard that this year's theme will involve bringing your favourite children's book characters to life, including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Mr. Men and Little Miss books, Postman Pat, and many more, and they also run workshops on how to create the works of art for yourself.

News_Image_File: An inside look at the Frankston Arts Centre. Picture: Supplied.

The Arts Centre

Did you know that Frankston is home to the largest stage in Victoria outside Melbourne's CBD?

Opened in 1995 by then Prime Minister, Paul Keating, the Frankston Arts Centre has an 800-seat theatre, two exhibition galleries and a 192-seat black box theatre.

The Arts Centre has played host to a number of big musical acts, international comedians and circus shows.

News_Image_File: A life-size bronze sculpture of Dame Elisabeth Murdoch sits at the Frankston Arts Centre. Dame Elisabeth's daughters Janet Calvert-Jones and Anne Kantor are pictured her at the unveiling of the sculpture. Photo David Caird

Cruden Farm

Originally a wedding present from her husband and newspaper executive Keith Murdoch in 1928, this small farm in Langwarrin was love at first sight for Elisabeth Murdoch. More than 80 years in the making, the garden at Cruden Farm is a small piece of country set amid suburbia. It has been an icon of the Frankston region for decades, and has been well preserved so it will continue to be for years to come. News_Image_File: The beautiful Picking Garden at Cruden Farm. Picture: Leader Newspapers.

Location location location!

With the improvement of roads and public transport around Victoria, Frankston is now only a 45-minute drive from Melbourne's CBD, but still manages to maintain a quiet and peaceful atmosphere if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. You can walk from your house to the beach and get striking views of Port Phillip Bay, a luxury for which many people pay a pretty penny. News_Image_File: Frankston pier at sunset. Source: Supplied

News_Rich_Media: Frankston TV

Frankston TV

Not many suburbs can say they've got their own TV show! Frankston TV originally began as Australia's first community driven YouTube network in 2011 and has evolved into a big success, with more than 250 videos uploaded. It was so successful, that it was turned into a weekly television show on Channel 31 on Sundays.

News_Image_File: Thousands turn out to see the spectacular fireworks at the Frankston Christmas Festival of Lights. Source: Supplied.

Frankston's Christmas Festival of Lights

Every year the Norfolk pine tree outside Frankston's civic centre is adorned with more than 4000 globes as families turn out for one of the great events on Frankston's calendar.

The festival is always a kids' paradise with activities, live entertainment, rides and, of course, Santa is there to listen to their Christmas wishes.

News_Image_File: Try your luck at windsurfing at Frankston Beach. Source: HWT Image Library.

The beach and Frankston foreshore

When you think of Victoria's great beaches, you think of St Kilda or Torquay, but Frankston is actually home to the most popular beach. And not only that, it took out the title in 2011 and 2012 for Victoria's cleanest beach in the Keep Australia Beautiful Awards.

The foreshore and pier is under redevelopment and a new boat ramp is almost finished construction, which makes the area an ideal destination to spend your summer at one of their many foreshore festivals.

News_Image_File: Frankston Beach has twice been named Victoria's best beach! Friends Jacob (5) and Lucy (5) enjoy the sun by going for a run along Frankston beach. Picture: HWT Image Library

Moccasins are universally accepted!

Sure, it's a stereotype - everyone in Frankston gets around in moccies when they go to the shops. Some might find this to be 'bogan-class', but honestly, if you could walk around in public in some of the most comfortable footwear ever, why wouldn't you? Sometimes it's worth embracing the negatives and turning them into positives. Or you could rock some gold shoes, like this guy...

McClelland Gallery

Tucked away on 16 hectares of land 4km east of Frankston, McClelland Sculpture Park & Gallery is set on landscaped gardens and bush trails in Langwarrin. Any art lover will discover a real treasure trove of exhibitions and public lectures, and the unique Sculpture Park plays showcase to over 60 works by major artists.

News_Image_File: The picturesque McClland Gallery. Picture: Supplied

Famous Frankston faces

The words "Frankston" and "bogan" are often used in the same sentence, but you might not be aware that there are quite a few notable faces that have called the south east suburb home.

-Gold medallist Debbie Flintoff King

-Philanthropist Dame Elisabeth Murdoch

-St Kilda champion Robert Harvey

-Channel 7 newsreader Peter Mitchell

-The late great Graham Kennedy

-World-renowned British DJ Carl Cox resides on Olivers Hill while in living Australia.

-Veteran Channel 10 news presenter Mal Walden

-Comedian and TV/radio personality Mick Molloy (hails from Mt Eliza - which is just south of Frankston) News_Image_File: Robert Harvey is inducted into the Frankston City Hall of Fame. Picture: Ian Cook.

Former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett used to spend his childhood summers swimming at Frankston beach, and still rates it as one of the state's best districts.

"I sold cold cordials on a hot day outside our home to raise some pocket money and it was in Frankston that Graham Kennedy bought his first house, next door to us, and we became neighbours," Mr Kennett said.

"It is the major community on the Mornington Peninsula and not only has a big public hospital and many supporting private health professionals, but also has an extensive range of excellent sporting facilities."

Read: Frankston's the place to be as the next election comes, says Jeff Kennett

News_Image_File: Frankston is also a golfer's paradise, with a number of quality public and private courses, including Centenary Park Golf Club (pictured).

It's getting even better!

Frankston can be called a lot of things, but one thing it certainly isn't is stagnant. It's always looking to improve parts of the town, as we're now seeing with the construction of a new $49.7 million Aquatic Centre, the Kittens strip club was torn down and replaced by a Tapas Bar 'The Deck'. The Peninsula Centre, which was once described by Dame Edna Everage as "the ugliest building in Victoria' has been transformed into a lavish resort The Quest, with various restaurants and luxury apartments, and a long-term plan to develop the bay into a beautiful marina around Olivers Hill is on the horizon. News_Image_File: The revamped Peninsula on the Bay complex includes 150 room luxury hotel retail complex 82 apartments and restaurant cafe. Source: HWT Image Library.

New Mayor Darrel Taylor is excited about the future of his great city. He says its lifestyle and location is hard to beat and urges those who are still sceptical to come take a fresh look at Frankston.

"Frankston is a city undergoing transformation with many new developments and investment," Cr Taylor said.

"It is truly an exciting time for our city. We have unspoilt natural reserves and parklands, award- winning beaches and foreshore while enjoying the entertainment, arts, festivals and cultural diversity of a city.

"I know I wouldn't want to be anywhere else."



Is Frankston one of the best suburbs in Victoria? Have your say in the comments below and tell us: Why your suburb is better?

MORE: What YOU love about Frankston

Brendan is a proud Frankston resident and is willing to bet he's spent more time commuting on the Frankston train line than you have.

Continue the conversation on Twitter @BrendoHeraldSun

News_Image_File: You get a pretty good view of the beach and Frankston from Olivers Hill. Picture: Brendan Casey.