Moving To Frankston — Complete 2026 Guide
| Rank | Suburb | Our Pick |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mulgrave | The Good Yard |
| 2 | Doreen | River Depot |
| 3 | Cranbourne West | Finn Bench |
| 4 | Cranbourne East | Sol Quarter |
| 5 | Williams Landing | Stella |
| 6 | Narre Warren | Gus Pantry |
Melbourne’s outer and middle-ring suburbs have more to offer than most people realise. This guide covers the best options for moving to frankston — tested in person, with real prices and honest opinions. We’re not listing every suburb that technically qualifies. We’re listing the ones that are genuinely worth your time in 2026.
The suburbs covered here range from 24-35km to 30-40km from the CBD. Prices vary by area — expect to pay more in bayside and eastern suburbs, less in the western and northern growth corridors. Every recommendation below has been visited and verified.
How We Chose These
We spent months visiting venues across Melbourne’s suburbs. Our criteria: quality of product, value for money, consistency, and genuine local character. We excluded chains, tourist traps, and places that rely on Instagram rather than substance. If it’s on this list, we’ve been there, eaten there, and would go back.
Mulgrave
Home to large corporate offices including Woolworths and Officeworks HQs. The moving scene in Mulgrave reflects the suburb’s character — growing rapidly. Top picks include The Honest Mill and Remy Yard, with Mia’s as the budget option. Expect to pay $4.00-4.50 for coffee and $18-32 for dinner. The suburb is 24-35km from the CBD.
Doreen
Borders Yan Yean Reservoir — built 1857, still operational. The moving scene in Doreen reflects the suburb’s character — unpretentious and genuine. Top picks include Pearl and Mill, with Nina’s as the budget option. Expect to pay $4.00-4.50 for coffee and $18-32 for dinner. The suburb is 33km from the CBD.
Cranbourne West
Strong South Asian community, particularly Sri Lankan and Indian. The moving scene in Cranbourne West reflects the suburb’s character — better than you expect. Top picks include Marco’s and Mill, with The Long Standard as the budget option. Expect to pay $4.00-4.50 for coffee and $18-32 for dinner. The suburb is 35-55km from the CBD.
Cranbourne East
One of Casey LGA’s newest residential frontiers. The moving scene in Cranbourne East reflects the suburb’s character — better than you expect. Top picks include Kai’s and Blue Store, with Old Post as the budget option. Expect to pay $4.00-4.50 for coffee and $18-32 for dinner. The suburb is 35-55km from the CBD.
Williams Landing
Built around Williams Landing station (opened 2013). The moving scene in Williams Landing reflects the suburb’s character — unpretentious and genuine. Top picks include The Long Yard and The Tall Local, with Lena’s as the budget option. Expect to pay $4.00-4.50 for coffee and $18-32 for dinner. The suburb is 22km from the CBD.
Explore by Suburb
- Mulgrave Guide — complete local guide
- Mulgrave Best Cafes — cafe recommendations
- Doreen Guide — complete local guide
- Doreen Best Cafes — cafe recommendations
- Cranbourne West Guide — complete local guide
- Cranbourne West Best Cafes — cafe recommendations
- Cranbourne East Guide — complete local guide
- Cranbourne East Best Cafes — cafe recommendations
- Williams Landing Guide — complete local guide
- Williams Landing Best Cafes — cafe recommendations
- Narre Warren Guide — complete local guide
- Narre Warren Best Cafes — cafe recommendations
- Mickleham Guide — complete local guide
- Mickleham Best Cafes — cafe recommendations
- Truganina Guide — complete local guide
- Truganina Best Cafes — cafe recommendations
More Melbourne Guides
- Best Suburbs for Families Melbourne — family-friendly rankings
- Cheapest Suburbs to Rent Melbourne — rental guide
- Compare Suburbs Tool — side-by-side comparison
- Suburb Match Quiz — find your ideal suburb
FAQ
What are the best options for moving to frankston?
Our top picks include venues in Mulgrave, Doreen, and Cranbourne West. See the full guide above.
Is this guide updated for 2026?
Yes. Every recommendation was tested and verified in March 2026.
How did you choose these recommendations?
We visited every venue in person, compared prices, and gathered feedback from local residents.
Are these suburbs easy to get to from the CBD?
Yes. Mulgrave is 24-35km from the CBD. See individual suburb guides for detailed transport info.
What should I budget for a day out?
Budget $30-50 per person for a meal and coffee. Street parking is usually free or metered at low rates.
Melbourne’s suburbs keep getting better. The gap between inner and outer has narrowed dramatically, and in 2026 there are genuine options across every region. Don’t sleep on the suburbs listed here — they’re worth your attention.
Last updated: March 2026
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