Why Patterson Lakes is the ‘noicest’ suburb in Melbourne

PATTERSON Lakes is perhaps most famous for being the filming location for iconic noughties sitcom Kath & Kim. But there’s a lot to love about living in this idyllic coastal paradise.

The Cove Hotel is bringing the theatre to Patterson Lakes.

PATTERSON Lakes could be the ‘noicest’ suburb in Melbourne to live.

Sure, lakes and tidal waterways give it its peaceful, waterside appeal, but it’s the riverside suburb’s idyllic blend of lifestyle and convenience that has seen it become one of the city’s fastest-growing suburbs.

Patterson Lakes lies 35km south east of Melbourne’s CBD and is situated on the Patterson River with a series of canal networks and harbours surrounded by residential harbours.

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It’s almost like having your own private beach. Picture: realestate.com.au

Three interlinked lakes — Lake Carramar, Lake Illawong and Lake Legana — are collectively known as the Quiet Lakes region, while the canal system that flows through the suburb is known as Tidal Canal.

Streets lined with multimillion-dollar mansions, contemporary Australian homes and high-density duplex developments are named after famous American destinations including Long Island, Rhode Island, Staten Island and Palm Beach.

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Patterson Lakes from the air. Picture: realestate.com.au

“Living in Patterson Lakes is a lifestyle choice for many people who enjoy the close connection to pristine beaches and Port Phillip Bay,” says Cameron Howe, founder of community-based advocacy group Carrum and Patterson Lakes Forum.

“Canal-fronting properties have direct access to Port Phillip Bay while lakeside residents enjoy a tranquil outlook.

“The river and wetlands are enjoyed by many on their morning walk or jog and it’s also home to Victoria’s largest and most popular boat-launching facilities, which are a magnet for keen fishermen during snapper season.”

Plus, Carrum foreshore and the sparkling Port Phillip Bay beaches are a stone’s throw away.

For locals with their own private jetties, the local shopping and dining precinct Lakeview Shopping Centre at Harbour Plaza is also accessible by boat. And Patterson Lakes Marina — Victoria’s largest marina — offers a marine service centre and 24-hour fuel dock, as well as secure boat storage options.

Often likened to Sydney’s Sylvania Waters, Patterson Lakes is perhaps most famous for being the filming location for iconic noughties sitcom Kath & Kim.

It was also the home of NBA superstar Andrew Bogut, who previously owned two properties in the area, as well as TV fishing personality and boating identity Theo Rozakis and his family.

THINGS TO EAT, SEE AND DO IN PATTERSON LAKES

Being close to Eastlink makes it easy to get to the CBD or the beautiful Mornington Peninsula bay beaches. Photo courtesy Visit Victoria

TRANSPORT

Patterson Lakes is well serviced by roads and public transport, with Carrum and Bonbeach stations a stones’ throw away.

Easy access to the EastLink Freeway and Peninsula Link makes trips to the pristine beaches and vine-clad hinterland of the Mornington Peninsula a breeze, while Nepean Hwy will get you to Frankston in under 10 minutes or the city in as little as 40.

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Melbourne Cable Park water playground and obstacle course. Picture: Jason Edwards

SPORT/RECREATION

There is no shortage of things to do in Patterson Lakes. If a day on the green is your thing, take a swing at nine or 18 holes at the Patterson River Golf Club. Afterwards, stop in at the clubhouse for a meal or snack, or kick back on the terrace with a glass of vino while overlooking the fairway.

Make a splash at the National Water Sports Centre, where you can enjoy activities including rowing, water skiing, canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding, jet skiing or even radio-controlling yachting. Or, challenge yourself to reach great heights at Melbourne Cable Park.

Go on a high-ropes adventure at the outdoor adventure playground, unleash your inner ninja warrior at the Ninja Aqua Park or learn how to kneeboard or wakeboard with year-round cable-boarding classes.

Patterson Lakes is also home to a wide-range of sporting and aquatic clubs, including canoeing, rowing, sailing and drag boating, as well as footy, tennis, cricket, basketball and even pony clubs.

For more artistic types, thePatterson Lakes Community Centreoffers classes in everything from African drumming and mahjong to tai chi, yoga and sewing. Patterson Lakes library also hosts regular child-friendly events and adult education programs. Kids will love story time sessions and Minecraft Club, while online tutorials in internet basics, cyber safety and 3D printing are also available.

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Sunrise over Patterson Lakes. Photo: Callan O’Leary Photography for #snapmelbourne

PARKS AND TRAILS

As well as being a magnet for water and boating enthusiasts, Patterson Lakes is also abundant in parks and green spaces. One of the biggest in the area is Patterson Lakes Recreation Reserve.

Pirate Ship Park (or Roy Dore Reserve) is a local family favourite with barbecue facilities, shade areas, an off-leash dog walking area, two ovals (which are home to the Carrum/Patterson Lakes footy and cricket teams) and a pirate-themed playground.

As well as offering plenty of places for kids to run amok, Patterson Lakes is also connected to some of Victoria’s most popular walking and cycling tracks, including the Dandenong Creek Trail, Bay Trail and Peninsula Link Trail.

Escape to The Cove’s lush hotel oasis. Picture: Facebook

DINING

If you’ve got an appetite for local dining, Patterson Lakes delivers in droves.

The Cove Hotel, which has been running for more than 21 years, is one of the standout local establishments.

“From gaming to food and beverage, we’re all about providing a premium entertainment offering,” venue manager Dan McAlpine says.

Since being taken under the wing of Pegasus Leisure Group about seven years ago, The Cove has expanded to include a wine bar, sports bar and bistro that overlooks the sparkling marina.

“We’re constantly evolving to cater to changing demographics in the area,” Mr McAlpine says.

“But there really is something for everyone.”

And, when it comes to cafes, Cameron Howe, who grew up in the area, says the local eating scene is definitely changing, with funky cafes and restaurants starting to populate the popular shopping and marina precincts.

Mr Patterson is one of the area’s newest additions. Picture: Facebook

Industry Beans specialty coffee is on pour. Picture: Facebook

On weekends, he says, you’ll find locals hanging out at Freddie’s, in nearby Carrum, which has been running for more than 20 years. This seaside cafe not only boasts the area’s finest breakfasts, but is also home of the most impressively moustachioed barista.

“The owner, Freddie, is a great character,” he says. “Plus, they do the best coffee in the area.”

For a more contemporary cafe, head to the recently opened Mr Patterson, which is from the same brunch folk behind Box Hill’s Second Wife, Strange Servant in Dingley Village and Ivanhoe’s The Foreigner.

This light-filled cafe replaced former cafe 4 at Harbour Plaza. Coffee is by speciality Melbourne roaster Industry Beans and the dragonfruit coconut panna cotta is already an Instagram sensation.

Treat your tastebuds to southern Italian delights at Ercolano. Picture: Facebook

Sip in style with water views and tasty tapas at Puerto. Picture: Facebook

For an award-winning Spanish feast, look no further than Puerto. Here, the water-view restaurant is using local ingredients to create classic tapas and share-style dishes, inspired by Spain’s diverse regional cuisines.

Stop in for a Friday night negroni cocktail, a jamon plate and the slow-cooked lamb shoulder with lentils, artichokes, chorizo and radicchio.

If mod-Australian is more to your taste, duck next door to Romano’s by the Harbour, where the menu is seasonally inspired and has a focus on fresh seafood.

The wood-fired delights coming out of the Ercolano pizza oven are bringing a slice of authentic Neapolitan-style pizza to Patterson Lakes.

The fully licensed Italian cucina, which is open for lunch and dinner, is dishing up honest, southern Italian cuisine. Think spaghetti with chilli, prawns, mussels, clams and scallops in a white wine sauce and mouth-watering capricciosa pizzas topped with mozzarella, ham, artichokes, mushrooms and Ligurian olives.

Shavan’s Indian Restaurant is the go-to for local Indian cuisine, while Ariake Japanese is the place to go for bento boxes and sushi boats. For Thai, Kun Yao and River Thai have your needs covered, while Patterson Place Cafeis the place to go pho all your Vietnamese soup needs.

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