Booming Point Cook a family friendly gem in west
A DECADE ago it was empty, sunburnt paddocks. Now it’s home to pop-up burger bars, cafes and awesome playgrounds. Here’s why everyone’s falling in love with Point Cook.
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TEN years ago Point Cook was pretty much nothing but empty, sunburnt paddocks.
What a different a decade makes.
Fast forward to 2018 and this booming western suburb has become one of Melbourne’s fastest growing regions.
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Just 40 minutes from the CBD, Point Cook is a trip over the West Gate Bridge to leafy streets, dotted with parks and playgrounds, where residents enjoy a unique family lifestyle.
And though it’s only 25km from the city, if you ask the locals, is feels like living in the country.
The suburb is popular with expanding families or downsizing retirees and with the community and infrastructure growing rapidly, Point Cook has become a hub of activity.
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OUTDOORS
The Saltwater Coast Crocodile Park in Point Cook is the perfect place to take the littlies for a sunny afternoon outside.
It’s a child’s paradise with soft white sand and flowing water with rope bridges, slides, wading pools and a water-spurting crocodile which the kids can waste hours splashing around.
If a relaxing picnic is more your speed on the weekend, families, friends or couples can enjoy a picnic or BBQ by the beach at the Point Cook Coastal Park.
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The park has free gas BBQs, two playgrounds and clean toilets on site, as well as multiple walking tracks to explore.
If you want to keep an eye on the local wildlife, you can climb the Cheetham Wetlands Tower for a spot of bird watching. Or turn your eye to the sky and check out the vintage aeroplanes flying by from the nearby Point Cook RAAF base.
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Hit the fairway at Sanctuary Lakes Golf Club, which features a Greg Norman designed,
championship layout, then refuel with a club sandwich, surf and turf or some lobster linguine at the Caddyshack Espresso Bar or Lakeview Restaurant.
Kids want to join a team? Whether it’s cricket, soccer or footy, Point Cook has got you covered.
Become a bulldog, jet or warrior by joining the Point Cook Football Club, Point Cook Soccer Club or Point Cook Cricket Club.
Or if hitting the road on the back of a bike is how you like to spend your weekends, the Point Cook Motorcycle Club is the place for you.
Leave the hustle and bustle behind atSeasons Spa Retreat, a tranquil oasis where you can unwind with a massage, mud wrap or healing facial and let the stress of life melt away.
And if the weather doesn’t permit outdoor play, head to Wyn City for some laser tag, tenpin bowling, glow minigolf, or arcade games fun instead.
HISTORY
Point Cook was the birthplace of the Royal Australian Air Force, with the suburb boasting the first ever RAAF base.
The RAAF museum gives visitors a unique insight into Australia’s aviation history with flying displays, a gallery, an exhibition and hangars full of classic and historical aircraft like the rare Tiger Moth, Phantom fighter jets and the Mustang MK, that would impress any flying aficionado.
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But if you’re up for more than just looking at the planes, you can hop aboard a scenic joy flight around Melbourne in a Tiger Moth plane, leaving directly from the Point Cook RAAF base.
TRANSPORT
In 2013, due to its rapid expansion, Point Cook carved out its place in Melbourne’s railway network with the opening of Williams Landing train station.
Part of the Werribee line, more than 800 train services run through the station ensuring local residents are just a short trip from the city or further out west if they fancy.
The local bus network in and around Point Cook also received an upgrade in 2013 to coincide with the new station.
If travelling by car is more your style, Point Cook is located just off the Westgate Freeway.
SCHOOLS | CHILDCARE
Part of Point Cook’s appeal is the way it caters to budding families and it’s home to more than fourteen childcare and early learning centres to get the kids off to a great start with their education and socialisation.
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And education is key when it comes to primary and secondary schools in Point Cook with the rapidly growing suburb home to nine school campuses — Alamanda K-9 College, Carranballac College — Jamieson Way Campus, Carranballac College — Boardwalk Campus, Point Cook College P-9, Lumen Christi Catholic Primary School, Point Cook Senior, Emmanuel College — Notre Dame Campus, St Mary’s of the Cross Catholic Primary School and Stella Maris Catholic Primary School.
WHERE TO EAT
CAFES
With the increase in population comes a plethora of new places to eat, drink and be merry.
From cafes and burrito bars to burger joints and steakhouses, Point Cook offers something for every palate and price point. All-day brekkie at Coast Cafe (Corner Citybay Drive and Shiraz Crescent, Saltwater Coast) is always a good idea. Stop in on Toddler Tuesdays for the best smiley-face babycinos and biscuits in town. Saltwater Coast Crocodile Park across the road is an added bonus.
At Gemelli Cafe(Shop 123, 22-30 Wallace Ave), you can order a Nutella French toast sandwich or pizza chips and pretend they’re for the kids.
If pram space is what you’re after — 7 Beams (Shop 8, 238 Boardwalk Blvd) makes getting around a breeze. Hello, next mothers’ group meet-up.
For quality coffee, milkshakes, smoothies, sweets and slices, as well as wholesome favourites including baked potatoes and acai bowls — Babycino on Main has you covered (Corner Main and Murnong Sts).
Berrybean at Sanctuary Lakes Shopping Centre offers $2.40 mums’ coffees between 8am and 11am.
Tucked away near IGA you’ll findImpressions Coffee Shop(Boardwalk Boulevard and Tom Roberts Parade). This local hangout is known for its friendly service, great coffee and delicious egg, bacon and cheese rolls.
Over on Paradise Parade, Alamanda Cafe and Providore (2-10 Paradise Parade) lives up to its address. The view from the cafe — which looks out over glistening lake and green wetlands — makes breakfast here a lovely way to start the day. Plus, they have colouring books and crayons for the kids so you might even be able to squeeze in a second coffee.
The Nutella hot chocolates at Bromeos (225-229 Sneydes Road) have become a favourite. Their wraps and burgers are also popular choices.
And, if you didn’t have time to pack lunch boxes, get down to Soho Bakery (Shop 6, 13 Adelphi Boulevard) and grab some of their mini pizza rolls, Vegemite scrolls and cupcakes. The kids will love you for it. Also, their sourdough twist loaf with tandoori chicken is to die for and their vanilla slice is one of the best you’ll find in the western suburbs.
RESTAURANTS | TAKEAWAY
Date nights and family dinners are a cinch in Point Cook, where you can take your tastebuds on a gastronomic journey through everything from pizza and dumplings to dosa huts and tapas bars.
Waterstone (Greg Norman Drive, Point Cook) is the social watering hole of the west, boasting lakeside dining, live music and classic pub-style fare.
Pizza purists might not approve, but enthusiasts will love the chilli con carne pizza at Pizza Industri (Featherbrook Shopping Centre, Boardwalk Boulevard).
The contemporary Italian-inspired all-day eatery is rolling out fresh, stone-based pizza, as well as pastas and gourmet breakfasts. For more traditional pizzas, Hot House has all bases covered.
Don’t let the laid-back ambience of all-in-one cafe, bar and bistro Seven Oak Tree (101/22-30 Wallace Ave) fool you — the food is top-notch.
Fall head over taco at The Burrito Bar (1 Murnong St). This is the first Victorian outpost of the much-adored mod-Mex restaurant (it started in Brisbane and has slowly been making its way south of the border) and, so far, it’s a quesadi-YAH from us.
You’ll go bento for the teriyaki salmon and miso eggplant at contemporary Japanese restaurant, Master Shifu (57 Tom Roberts Pde). Their katsu chicken ramen is also a great winter comfort food.
For a contemporary Aussie feast, look no further than Rendeavous Restaurant and Bar (49a/300 Point Cook Rd). The sticky BBQ pork ribs and pop-up American-style burgers are outta this world. Hello, Texas Chain Slaw Massacre (spicy fried chicken, lettuce, slaw, loads of cheese, double bacon, jalapeños).
Chinese cuisine is the name of the game at Cocochine (5 Main St). Try the soft-shelled crab and red curry duck. Trust us, you won’t regret it.
Emporia Lounge and Grill (1/28 Adelphi Blvd) is slinging scrumptious wood-fired pizza, pasta and parmas, as well as Spanish-style paella.
The roti with beef rendang (and yes, in that order) at Kampung Story is lip-smackingly buttery, flaky and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. So too the perfectly spiced chicken sambal. (300 Point Cook Rd)
For contemporary Indian, The Minar (11/48-56 Tom Roberts Parade) is where it’s at. Don’t even worry about looking at the menu. The banquet, as Nike suggests, just do it.
The South American meets Mediterranean-inspired tapas menu at Gypsy Road Tapas Bar (Stockland Point Cook Shopping Centre, 1 Murnong St) offers share-style tastes from all corners of the globe. Think chicken and jalapeño croquettes, sizzling saganaki, arancini balls, empanadas, soft-shelled crab and chilli brisket con carne tacos.
Whether you dumpling in person or over the phone, it’s all good at Shanghai Street Dumpling (Stockland Point Cook Shopping Centre, 2 Main St). The xiao long bao (soup dumplings) are a crowd favourite.
Get your grill on at Korean Grill House (Stockland Point Cook Town Centre). The Korean fried chicken and BBQ beef set are top picks.
Give a damn about your lamb patty at Lamburgerghini Burger Bar (Stockland Point Cook Town Shopping Centre), which is where to go if you want the best lamburgers in town.
Or, if you’re looking for some meat-free dinner fun, Dosa Plaza (20 Adelphi Boulevard) is the plant kingdom for you. Try the spinach and potato patties and the tapioca dumplings.
PUBS
The Brook (215 Sneydes Road) is Point Cook’s go-to local bar, pub, restaurant and social hub. With a new menu, a playground for kids, live music on Friday nights, pool tables, and craft beers and cool cocktails on pour at the Two Brothers Sports Bar, this is a one-stop-venue for eating, drinking, playing and, of course, watching sport.
Meanwhile, you’ll want to get around the seafood buffet over at Sanctuary Lakes Hotel (280 Point Cook Rd). You can also take part in local Pool competition, join the punters club or try your luck at a game of Bingo. There’s even a free courtesy bus if you live within 5km of the hotel. Winning.
The Phoenix Hotel (40 Wallace Avenue) is another popular hangout with an impressive menu. We’re talking mac and cheese fritters, crispy coconut and lime calamari and slow-cooked beef with polenta chips. It also has a drive-though bottle shop, so ... happy days.
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