The sights

French Island is a tranquil place to walk, hike, cycle or drive around. Once here you will discover it is one of the most unique and environmentally diverse locations in Australia. Two-thirds of the Island is national park, rich with over 230 bird species and 600 plant species including 105 species of wild orchids. It is the only national park in Victoria totally contained on an island and has outstanding natural values and protection, largely due to its isolation. There are remote beaches, historic locations such as the chicory kilns and old prison farm (closed in 1975), and many local producers: cattle, sheep, wine, honey. Habitats range from coastal mangroves, swamp, heathland, grasslands and blue gum forests and much of the natural vegetation is remarkably weed free.

Koalas

The treasures of our island are the estimated 5000 to 7000 koalas. The largest and healthiest population in Victoria, and second in Australia. They outnumber the local population approx 140 to 1! They have descended from a few animals introduced in the 1880s, are free of the disease Chlamydia and have a high reproductive rate…so much so that occasionally they have to be relocated to the mainland. They provide an invaluable disease-free koala population for areas that suffer population decline.

Their habitat is scattered predominantly swamp and manna gums, with only about 20 percent of the population found in the national park. The rest are scattered across private land.