French Island National Park
French Island National Park
3.5
About
French Island National Park has much to offer including unspoiled natural bushland and walking along beaches where your only companions are hundreds of wading birds. Experience wonderful walks and bike rides through a range of habitats. There are day, half day and shorter walks and rides starting at Tankerton Foreshore Reserve. French Island supports a large population of the Long-nosed Potoroo, as well as containing the most significant population of koalas in Victoria. The koalas reproduce so successfully that they eat themselves out of house and home. Each year over 200 are transferred to reserves in other parts of Victoria.
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3.5
11 reviews
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Ruth Horsey
Melbourne, Australia7 contributions
Apr 2022 • Couples
French island encourages people to come and ride around the island. We followed a bike path that was so corrugated our teeth nearly fell out. The sandy stretches were very dangerous when the wheels got into it. 5 people 4 falls. Thankfully no breaks. They need some proper trails around the coast. Our picnic lunch was nice and it was great seeing some koalas.
Written 16 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Compass570203
1 contribution
Jan 2024 • Family
With little planning, islanders were on hand to show the way. Free transport, advice and maps to walk around area in search of koalas. 8 found in 30 minutes…great supersized milkshakes and homemade food at general store.
Written 5 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kathryn B
32 contributions
Mar 2018 • Couples
We decided not to book any tours - just to get ferry over and explore on foot. The ferry cost $13 each way - hadn’t realised that it would be $52 return for the two of us to visit. We thought we could enjoy reading by the water like at Cowes, or go for a walk. When we got off the jetty there was a car park of abandoned cars (and a toilet) but no beachy places. We set off to walk the 3 km to the General Store - on a gravel road with nothing around. The General Store was a sight for sore eyes. It had all you could want and seating under a covered verandah. One of the staff kindly offered us a lift back to the jetty - we gratefully accepted it. Unfortunately we saw no koalas or wildlife!
Written 7 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
N0madatlarge
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia175 contributions
Apr 2017 • Friends
Secluded and isolated by the sea in Westernport Bay but accessible through a regular ferry service from either Stony Point in the Mornington Peninsular or Cowes in Phillip Island. Beautiful and minimally disturbed coastal heathlands and salt marshes can be found in the National Park. The joy of koala spotting at the top of Messmate strongybark eucalyptus and a myriad of wetland birds. A great bush walking or bike riding experience but not on a hot sunny day. Good times to visit are from autumn to early summer. Late winter and early spring are best for wild flowers tour of the island. Accommodation and food are available but need to be confirmed by phone. It is developing and an online search should produce useful information
Written 26 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrew R
33 contributions
Nov 2019
We are an older couple who have always had this place on our bucket list. We took our bicycles across on the ferry. Seniors are free on the weekend, but also get a small discount weekdays. If you haven't a bicycle you can hire a really good mountain bike from the area near the arrival jetty where the toilets are. I believe you have to do this in advance.
It's difficult to get a map of French Island, but in the toilet area beyond the jetty there is an information area, which has free maps. Alternatively the lovely lady in the General Store some three km in will provide one. We rode 30 km around the island, and really there isn't that much to see, but the area is unspoilt with pretty scenery, lots of birdlife, and we spotted echidnas and koalas, which are very healthy and well provided for by the many gum trees on the island. We had a very enjoyable day cycling and breathing in the fresh air.
You need to bring water but the general store has a great lunch menu which is good value for money. Only mountain bikes are suitable for the roads which are unsealed and can be a bit treacherous in places.
It's difficult to get a map of French Island, but in the toilet area beyond the jetty there is an information area, which has free maps. Alternatively the lovely lady in the General Store some three km in will provide one. We rode 30 km around the island, and really there isn't that much to see, but the area is unspoilt with pretty scenery, lots of birdlife, and we spotted echidnas and koalas, which are very healthy and well provided for by the many gum trees on the island. We had a very enjoyable day cycling and breathing in the fresh air.
You need to bring water but the general store has a great lunch menu which is good value for money. Only mountain bikes are suitable for the roads which are unsealed and can be a bit treacherous in places.
Written 22 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RedTart1
Geelong, Australia901 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
Although French Island has some beautiful outlooks, it is not really a tourist destination. It is predominately cleared farming land, can be wind swept and cold/hot depending on the season. There are few swimming beaches due to the predominate mud flats. This is not the forested, take the kiddies for a fossick sort of place and if you have not got a car be prepared to walk. Cars can only get to the Island by barge, which does not run everyday and even then, goes to Corinella on the opposite side to where the foot ferries dock.. But if it’s piece and quiet you want? You can stay in the local accoms and get plenty..
Written 3 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
melbwanderer86
Melbourne, Australia3 contributions
Jul 2017
The most beautiful koalas, beaches and bushland. You can hike, swim, and see mangroves and wildlife just outside of Melbourne
Written 21 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eye_Tattoo_Girl
Victoria, Australia114 contributions
Mar 2018
Felt so good after the walk. It was totally wild into the woods and I enjoyed it a lot. Far away from all the distractions.
Written 7 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There is a glamping option and I think there is still an upmarket b and b on the island.. I am not sure about camping on the beach option, you would have to check parks vic to see if allowed .. cheers
Written 9 December 2018
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