Mentone

The bayside suburb of Mentone in Melbourne's south east Mentone sits on the eastern side of Beaumaris Bay opposite the neighbouring suburb of Beaumaris, which is on the western side of the bay. Mentone was founded as a resort town named after the Italian spelling of the formerly-Italian French town Menton. In order to keep with the Italian resort theme many streets in Mentone were named after Italian cities for example, Cremona Street, Florence Street, Venice Street and Milan Street. The development of Mentone began in the late 1800s, the Post Office opening on 16 May 1884. Mentone is surrounded by the suburbs like Beaumaris, Cheltenham, Parkdale and Mordialloc, which all offer the cafe lifestyle.

Getting there: Mentone railwaqy station is on the Frankston suburban line.

Mentone has a safe, sandy bay swimming beach. Popular area nearby for water-skiers. Extensive foreshore reserve areas with picnic, barbecue and play facilities. Walking/cycling track. Mentone Life Saving Club patrols. The beach extends from the cliffs in Beaumaris and ends at Warrigal Road where it meets Parkdale. The beaches and life saving clubs provide leisure space and activities, as do the parkland and oval near the council offices. Mentone is also home to numerous sporting clubs including cricket, football, tennis, field hockey, and lawn bowling.

Mentone Bowling Club was established in the early 1900s and has a successful history, including an Australian champion.[citation needed] The club is next to the train station in the centre of the suburb.

Mentone is home to a lively shopping area along Como Parade West, Balcombe Road and surrounding streets and laneways. This shopping strip offers a wide range of restaurants, cafes, bakeries, clothing stores, supermarkets, travel agents, fancy dress, craft, home, book stores and more. A second commercial area has grown along Nepean Highway; this may expand as the former Nylex factory site between Nepean Highway and Warrigal Highway is redeveloped into a bulky goods retail precinct.

The neighbouring suburb named Cheltenham has one of the biggest shopping malls in Australia named Southland. This shopping mall crosses the six lanes of Nepean highway. It is the main shopping mall for people of Mentone and surrounds.


Ricketts Point

Beaumaris
The nearby suburb of Beaumaris situated on a headland that almost surrounds the entire suburb on three sides by water, with its southern extremities at Ricketts Point and Table Rock Point. A pedestrian and bicycle trail follows the entire length of the Beaumaris coastline, along the clifftops and beaches. The section of coastline that extends from the west and down to Ricketts Point is the most popular with visitors. There are several rock platforms which extend out into the bay and form part of the Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary. The iconic beachfront Ricketts Point Teahouse is set in shady lawns with picnic and BBQ facilities nearby.

Australian National Aviation Museum
The Australian National Aviation Museum, located at Moorabbin Airport in the neighbouring suburb of Moorabbin, has saved a number of significant examples of Australia's aviation heritage. With nearly 50 aircraft on display, in storage or under restoration, and over 20 engines on display, the Museum is one of the largest in Australia. The attendants are passionate about aircraft and the contents of the museum and are only too happy to share their experiences and knowledge with visitors.
Location: Cnr First St and Second Ave., Moorabbin Airport, Moorabbin. Contact (03) 9580 7752.




Mentone shopping area


Mentone Beach


Beaumaris coastline


Australian National Aviation Museum