Business categories in French Island, VIC

Welcome to French Island, VIC

French Island, located in Western Port, is the largest coastal island in the state of Victoria. 61km southeast of Melbourne, it has a small population of around 116 people.

History

According to Aboriginal tribal songs, the island was home to the Bunurong Tribe until they were massacred by a warring Gippsland tribe.

In 1847, the first European settlers to the island were William and John Gardiner. They owned the first pastoral lease and grazed 8,000 sheep.

11,050 hectares of the island (around 70%) was declared as the French Island National Park in 1997 by Parks Victoria.

Lifestyle and Entertainment

The island is relatively isolated with only around 60 permanent residents. There are no medical services on the island and no mains water or electricity.

There is a small general store and a post office on Tankerton Road, and a free camping site at the National Park.