Phillip Island is a calm, outdoor haven for nature lovers and those who are craving the quieter side of life.
French Island Marine National Park is a large Marine National Park in the Western Port. Is it located just off the end of the Mornington Peninsula.
Because of the soft marshes that form the island, the island is always changing shape, thanks to its exposure to water.
It’s largely unspoiled and has heaps of bushland that has been untouched. It’s a very quiet place, and it’s hard to imagine much happens here. But if you’re looking for a slice of the quiet life, then French Island is the perfect spot – and there are still plenty of outdoor activities to do.
This ever-changing landscape, contains a whole range of different Australian wildlife. The whole park contains a range of habitats for a wide range of different flora and fauna.
A quiet sibling of Phillip Island, French Island is accessible via a ferry from Stony Point or Cowes, and there is no vehicle access.
Wildlife on French Island
Because it’s only inhabited by 130 people, and it’s so cut off without any roads on it, much of the flora and fauna have been left to their own devices. It’s only 61km away from the centre of Melbourne’s CBD, yet it feels very remote. Species have been reintroduced on French Island as a means of getting the population numbers back up again.
Make sure you look out for koalas! There’s quite a large population of them here on French Island.
Mudflats
A mudflat is a whole plain of soft sand that has been submerged by a tide. This moisture makes the surface soft and spongy. The mudflats are an ecosystem full of different wildlife. These mudflats are a hub of different wildlife, like lugworms, ragworms, and shorebirds.
A keen resident of the mudflats is the shellfish and crabs! The tiny animals that reside in the mudflats provide meals for birds of prey like herons and egrets.
There are plenty of outdoor activities to do, to explore the natural beauty of French Island. Hike around the calm and quiet hiking trails, or cycle around the island.
Walks and hikes
If you’re doing any hikes around the island, your best bet is to start at Tankerton Foreshore Reserve. This is the epicentre of all the walks and hikes around French Island.
From there, you can experience a range of different walks! There are several different walking tracks that you can try, like the old coast road track, the West Coast wetland walking track, or the Fairhaven Northern Beach Walk.
Each one ranges in difficulty, so check local hiking information before you go! Most of the terrain on the island is relatively forgiving, although it’s a good idea to wear sturdy walking boots.
Cycling
There are so many cycling tracks around French Island too! There are heaps of cycle tracks that you can take around Phillip Island. It is recommended that you go with a mountain bike because of the sandy parts of the tracks. Spot koalas on your travels around the island! They’ll be sitting in the trees, munching on eucalypts.
Managing Director at Sightseeing Tours Australia
Cameron Ward turned his travel passion into a thriving Australian tourism business. Before he co-founded his own business, Sightseeing Tours Australia, he was enjoying being a Melbourne tour guide. Even now, Cameron delights in helping visitors from all around the world get the most out of their incredible Australian trip. You’ll see Cameron leading tours or writing about his favourite Australian places where he shares his local insights.