French Island National Park Park

Address: French Island National Park (no street address; access by boat), Victoria, Australia

Website: https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/parks/french-island-national-park

Admission: Free

French Island National Park protects much of French Island in Western Port, Victoria, conserving coastal wetlands, woodlands and heathland habitats.

The island has long been managed for its conservation values and the national park portion preserves substantial native vegetation and wildlife populations that are rare elsewhere in Victoria. Park management is undertaken by the state’s parks agency.

The national park occupies much of French Island in Western Port, southeast of Melbourne, and is reachable by ferry or barge from the mainland at Stony Point.

• Access: Access to the island is by ferry or vehicular barge from the mainland at Stony Point, and visitors should plan for limited services on the island.
• Wildlife and habitats: The park protects coastal wetlands, woodlands and heathland and is noted for significant birdlife and resident koalas in a fox-free environment.

French Island National Park is on French Island in Western Port Bay and is reached by ferry or private boat. Vehicle and passenger ferries depart from Stony Point on the Mornington Peninsula to French Island’s landing; once on the island you travel by island tracks (4WD recommended) or on foot to park areas. Stony Point is reached by road from Melbourne via the Mornington Peninsula Freeway (M11) and local roads toward Frankston/Stony Point - the drive from Melbourne is roughly 60-90 minutes depending on traffic (around 60 km). Ferry schedules are limited, so check the operator before travelling.

• French Island National Park is reachable only by boat-check public ferry/barge schedules from the mainland (Stony Point services are the usual starting point) or book a private charter well in advance because services are limited.
• Go at dawn or dusk for the best wildlife viewing; French Island hosts significant wetland habitats and a high density of koalas that many visitors overlook.
• Plan logistics carefully: facilities and services on the island are minimal, so confirm landing points and any park access rules with Parks Victoria before you travel.