Kananook Creek Walking Trail (Frankston)
Kananook Creek runs parallel to the coastline linking Seaford Wetlands to Frankston Foreshore. 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.
The number of access points make it possible to walk the entire length of the trail or to walk short sections, either returning by the same path or linking with the Seaford Foreshore Trail. An extended walk returning via the foreshore trail is an energetic option. A shared walking/bicycle path circuits the Seaford Wetlands and is also within walking distance from some northern sections of the Kananook Walking Trail.
Things to see
Indigenous plants - Kananook Creek Reserve follows an old dune system parallel to the creek. A variety of plant communities with over 200 indigenous species can be found in the reserve. The common trees are Coast Banksias, Sheoaks and Swamp Gums, with a middlestorey of Coast Tea-tree and Coast Beard-heath and an understorey, including White Correa, sedges and rushes. Swamp Paperbark is abundant on the floodplains.
Native animals - Many native animals have been recorded in the reserve, including 15 species of fish and crustaceans, and many frogs and lizards. In the Banksia trees you may spot Rainbow Lorikeets or honeyeaters feeding on the nectar while in the evenings you may see or hear the active Brushtail Possums. The Common Blue-tongue Lizard can be found in amongst the ground litter. Some of the 60 recorded bird species make the creek their home, while others such as water birds visit on on their way to the coast or Seaford Wetlands. Commonly seen are the Black Ducks, White-faced Herons, Cormorants and Spoonbills.
Things to do
Take some time to explore the natural beauty of this sometimes hidden, beautiful creek reserve. The 7.5 kilometre Kananook Walking Trail follows the creek from the mouth at Frankston Pier to Eel Race Road. This walk can be extended at the northern end of the reserve either by visiting Seaford Wetlands, one kilometre to the east, or Seaford Foreshore Reserve, 500 metres to the west. You can come in or out of the walking trail at many points along the path as it intersects local roads.
Alternatively, at the southern end of the reserve lies Frankston Foreshore, where you can continue along the scenic boardwalk beside the coast.
One of the most enjoyable ways to experience the creek is to canoe an easy 7.5 kilometre (2 hours) along the navigable waterway. There are several canoe launching points along the creek - Eel Race Road, Riviera Street, Station Street, McCulloch Avenue, Fiocchi Avenue - and there is a boat ramp near the creek mouth.
Fishing, boating, birdwatching and photography are also popular activities. Picnic tables can be found at Beach Street, Fiocchi Avenue, Long Island, Station Street and Riviera Street.
Location
Long Island Drive, Frankston 3199 Map
Web Links
→ Kananook Walking Trails (Kananook Creek Association)
