French Island, Victoria, notes from an article by Sandy Guy (April, 2026)
French Island is the “largest of Victoria’s coastal islands” being nearly twice the size of Phillip Island. The island was named Ile De Francoise (1802) by the explorer Jacques Hamelin, over time, it became French Island. Two-thirds of the island is the French Island National Park
It takes about 20 minutes on the ferry from either Stony Point (Mornington Peninsula) or Cowes (Philip Island) to reach the island. Caravans are not allowed on the island, but you are allowed to take your car, which you must book beforehand. The barge leaves from Corinella. The roads on the island are gravel and can be an issue after rain.
The island has lots of birdlife, native plants, orchids, koalas, along with long-nosed potoroo and Eastern-barred bandicoot. The island is home to around 110 people who live on the island, who live without town power or water.
Naturaliste Tours offers tours of the island, which include local guides who take you in a 4WD vehicle around the island.
The island is approximately 20km from north to south and 14km at its widest point. The highest point is Mount Wellington, which is about 96 m above sea level. The island sits within the sheltered waters of Western Port Bay.
Coastal Features
- Extensive mangrove forests and saltmarshes fringe much of the shoreline. Large tidal mudflats are exposed at low tide, creating important feeding grounds for birds.
Interior landscape
- Mostly low, gently undulating terrain, with heathlands, open woodlands, swamps, and sandy plains, dominates the interior. The island was formed from ancient wind-blown and alluvial sediments, resulting in sandy soils and numerous wet depressions.
One of the best ways to explore the island is by bicycle; there are numerous paths to use on the island. You can bring your own bike via the ferry, or hire an e-bike from the General Store
Useful Websites
- French Island National Park: https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/parks/french-island-national-park
- About French Island: https://www.frenchislandinfo.com/aboutfi.php
- French Island: https://www.visitphillipisland.com.au/discover/frenchisland
- French Island: https://www.westernportferries.com.au/Destinations/French-Island
- French Island Marine National Park: https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/parks/french-island-marine-national-park
- French Island: https://www.victorianplaces.com.au/french-island
- Naturalist Tours: https://naturalistetours.com.au/
- About French Island: https://naturalistetours.com.au/french-island/
- French Island: https://www.coastalstays.com/phillipisland/frenchisland/
- French Island and Phillip Island Wildlife Expedition: https://www.visitmelbourne.com/regions/melbourne/see-and-do/tours/explore-australia/french-island-and-phillip-island-wildlife-expedition
- French Island VI, AU: https://www.inaturalist.org/places/french-island
- French Island – a strange island in Victoria, Australia: https://tonywheeler.com.au/french-island-a-strange-island-in-victoria-australia/
- This Overnight Bikepacking Trip is on Koala-Filled French Island 2 Hours From Melbourne: https://weareexplorers.co/french-island-bikepacking-melbourne-vic/
- Getting around: https://www.figsfrenchisland.com.au/hire-bikes-or-car/
- Discover French Island: https://www.figsfrenchisland.com.au/
- French Island: https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/biodiversity/threatened/strategy/priority-places/french-island
- Off the Grid in Victoria: Discover French Island National Park: https://www.letsgocaravanandcamping.com.au/news/off-the-grid-in-victoria-discover-french-island-national-park/
- French Island – a short history: https://kooweerupswamphistory.blogspot.com/2020/01/french-island-short-history.html
- French Island: Life in trees, surrounded by water: https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/history-culture/2024/02/life-in-trees-surrounded-by-water/
- ‘It would drive some people crazy’: Victoria’s French Island remains re
- mote, and that’s how most like it: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/dec/28/it-would-drive-some-people-crazy-victorias-french-island-remains-remote-and-thats-how-most-like-it
- French Island wildlife refuge restored by local landholder: https://trustfornature.org.au/french-island-wildlife-conservation-victoria/
- Birds of French Island forest, woodland, heath and grassland: https://afo.birdlife.org.au/afo/index.php/afo/article/view/2110