Flinders, Victoria

Flinders is a seaside town located on the Mornington Peninsula at the point where Western Port meets Bass Strait. Its local government area is the Shire of Mornington Peninsula. At the 2016 census, Flinders had a population of 905.[1]

Flinders
Victoria
Cook Street, the main street
Flinders
Coordinates38.474°S 145.022°E / -38.474; 145.022
Population905 (2016 census)[1]
Established1854
Postcode(s)3929
Location
LGA(s)Shire of Mornington Peninsula
State electorate(s)Nepean
Federal Division(s)Flinders
Localities around Flinders:
Boneo Main Ridge Red Hill
Boneo Flinders Shoreham
Western Port Western Port Western Port

History

The town was named by George Bass after his friend, the explorer and British naval officer Matthew Flinders. Settlement commenced in 1854 and many pioneers and settlers are buried at the Flinders cemetery. Flinders Post Office opened on 7 March 1863 as the population grew.[2]

Flinders was once believed to have previously been known as Mendi-Moke, but this has subsequently been denied. [3]

Present day
The sheltered beach and 250 m pier
Flinders Boats
Flinders Hotel

Features of the town include the Flinders Golf Club, a picturesque golf course built on a cliff top,[4] a recreation reserve, a small yacht club, and a 250 metres (820 ft) long pier out from the protected beach, sheltered from the waters of Bass Strait by West Head. This area is popular for sailing, fishing, and other watersports.

On the southern side of West Head, the ocean breaks over the basalt rocks of Mushroom Reef Marine Sanctuary at Flinders ocean beach. Mushroom Reef hosts one of Victoria's best intertidal and subtidal rock platform reefs, popular for beachcombing, recreational diving, snorkelling, and surfing.[5] Several accommodation options exist, including B&Bs and hotel-motel style accommodation. Shopping and a mobile library are also available to tourists and residents.[6][7]

Flinders Boats

Flinders was the original home of Flinders Bread, available throughout Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula.[8] The company's operations are now based in Dandenong, but the bread is still available locally.

Flinders Pier

The Royal Australian Navy operate a weapons training facility and gunnery on West Head, with public access to this area being restricted.

Flinders is served by bus route 782 from Frankston, operated by Ventura Bus Lines.[9]

Flinders Pier is popular for recreational scuba diving activities. It is home to the spectacular weedy sea dragon, as well as many other fish species including cuttlefish, large smooth rays and eagle rays, crabs and plenty of other little fish and critters.

Population

In the 2016 Census, there were 905 people in Flinders. 82.1% of people were born in Australia and 91.4% of people spoke only English at home. The most common responses for religion were No Religion 41.0%, Anglican 23.5% and Catholic 12.6%.[1]

References
  1. "2016 Census QuickStats Flinders". Australian Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
  2. Phoenix Auctions History, Post Office List, retrieved 30 January 2021
  3. Flinders, Victoria, Australia, was never called Mendi-Moke familytreecircles Retrieved 30 January 2021
  4. Golf Select, Flinders, retrieved 11 May 2009
  5. "Flinders Ocean Beach - Mushroom Reef". Parks Victoria official site. State Government Victoria. Retrieved 12 April 2013.
  6. Mornington Peninsula Business Online. "Find Out More About Flinders". Archived from the original on 19 August 2006.
  7. Map 261-262, Melway street directory (28th ed., 2001)
  8. "Flinders Bread". Official site. Goodman Fielder. Archived from the original on 9 May 2006. Retrieved 12 April 2013.
  9. "782 Frankston - Flinders via Coolart Road & Hastings". Public Transport Victoria.
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