Skip to content

lindsytravelsaus.com

Tag: Victoria

  • Fairhaven Campground: Camp out at This Hidden Gem

    Fairhaven Campground: Camp out at This Hidden Gem

    Itinerary for a two night and 3 day trip to French Island’s free Fairhaven Campground

    As a low budget backpacker who spent some time settled in the Melbourne area I was looking to plan the most affordable camping trip for me and my partner.  We had no car and our budget was slim. That’s when we discovered Fairhaven Campground on French Island. 

    This campground is accessible via a 5k walk from the ferry. The ferry can be reached from the Melbourne public transport network via train.  The campground is completely free and the Island is home to Victoria’s largest koala population boasting an estimated 5,000-7,000 koalas.  We had a great time although this campground is rustic and requires a bit of advanced planning.   After our amazing but not properly planned trip went a bit awry I reflected and came up with this itinerary for the perfect 2 night 3 day trip to Fairhaven campground so you can experience the magic and hit all the highlights without missing a thing.

    French island is also great for a day trip if you don’t have time to stay overnight or prefer the comfort of your own bed.

    Day 1: Arrival+Setup camp

    Getting to French Island

    Drive to the Ferry Terminal 

    Or

    Travel via public transportation(this can take a while and requires proper planning) French Island can be reached from The Melbourne CBD or anywhere in Melbourne’s train network.  Take the train to Frankston Station and transfer to another train to Stony Point. 

    From Stony Point take the ferry to French Island. The ferry takes about 15 minutes and costs 32 dollars round-trip.

    Hike to Fairhaven Campground

    Fairhaven Campground can be reached via a 5 km hike from the jetty. You will need to carry all your camping gear for this distance. Remember to bring water and travel at a reasonable pace.

    Lunchtime and Setup Camp

    Once you arrive you should have worked up an appetite.  Take this chance to setup your gear and take advantage of the free gas powered bbq. 

    Sunset on the Beach

    The campground is conveniently located right on the Beach and makes the perfect location for a stunning sunset as the beach is West facing. After sunset get some early sleep to prepare for a full day of hiking in the morning.

    A koala sits on the branch of a Eucalyptus tree in front of the brush on a clear day. A girl in a blue shirt extends an arm towards the koala.

    Day 2: Koalas and Exploring

    Hike to the General Store

    Start your day with a quick breakfast and hike to the store. The general store is quite a ways from the campground so bring lots of water and a few snacks.  To avoid the heat it will be best to go in the morning before the sun is high in the sky.  Make sure to go your own pace.

    Lunch at the General Store


    Time for lunch. Grab a bite to eat and maybe a cold beverage at the general store.  This store has quite the selection of snacks and picnic tables out front making it a perfect rest area.

    Koala hunting

    Now the search is on for koalas.  Walk up the road past the general store keeping an eye on the branches of the eucalyptus trees. It shouldn’t be long before you spot one of these cuddly fellows.  Remember not to touch or harass the wildlife and maintain a safe distance while you fawn over the cuteness and take photos.

    Hike Back to Camp

    After looking at the Koalas it’s time to hike back to camp.  The general store is the only place on the island to buy anything so if you need food or water this is the time to stock up.  

    Pinnacles (optional)


    On your way back you can choose to climb up to the pinnacles lookout.  This is a really cool experience if you have the energy. Don’t feel bad if you sit this one out. The koalas are the highlight of the day.  To find this hike just follow the signage on your way back.

    Dinner and bedtime

    After all that hiking you are probably hungry and tired so grab something to eat and call it a night. I also recommend bringing a chill activity like a deck of cards or a good book. This will help you fill in any downtime.

    Day 3: Departure

    Hike from Fairhaven to the Ferry and Depart

    After a full weekend of hiking and camping it’s time to head back.  Make sure to leave plenty of time to hike to your ferry.

    Tips and safety

    • French island is an undeveloped area with no clean drinking water or food shops.  This means you will need to bring all the essentials for your stay.
    • This campground is not for everyone; in order to camp here, you should be reasonably fit and keen to stay a bit off the grid.
    • It can be very hot and some areas have little shade so, be sun safe. Bring sunscreen and a hat.  Drink plenty of water.
    • The campground is a 5km walk from the ferry. Be prepared to carry your gear round-trip.
    • The only toilet is a drop toilet.
    • There is a rainwater collection tank you can use for hand washing.  It says do not drink however you could bring water purification tablets.
    • Don’t underestimate the amount of water you will need to bring.
    • The best place to find koalas is near the general store.
    • Be sure to make a booking on parks Victoria and read more about the campground from the official website.
    • Be mindful of ferry timetables.
    • Look out for snakes! Sometimes they sun themselves on trails so maintain a healthy distance.
    A koala climbing a eucalyptus tree on French island

  • French Island: The Best Place to See Koalas Near Melbourne 

    French Island: The Best Place to See Koalas Near Melbourne 

    A One Day Itinerary and Planning Guide for French Island, Vic

    As a budget backpacker in Australia, I’m always on the lookout for my next adventure-without breaking the bank.  I was settled in Melbourne with no car and looking for a day trip I could access via Melbourne’s public transportation.  This is when I discovered French Island.  This often overlooked Island can be reached from the Melbourne CBD via a combination of train and ferry.  The Island is relatively untouched with well under 200 full time residents making it the perfect retreat from city life. 

    The Island is also home to a huge Koala population. It’s estimated that the island houses between 5,000 to 7,000 koalas.  This is the largest and healthiest koala population in Victoria and the second largest koala population in Australia.   

    Getting to French Island

    If you want to reach French Island via public transportation it is a long(but worthwhile) journey.

    My friend and I left our accommodation at 9am to reach the Flinders Street train station for the 9:27 am train to Frankston.  We switched trains once taking the train from Frankston to Stoney Point.  We made it to the 11:45 ferry and took the 15 minute journey across the bay arriving at 12pm exactly.

    Both the train from Frankston to Stony Point and the ferry run at limited times. Be sure to plan your trip in advance. Prepare to leave early in order to make it at a reasonable time.

    If you have a car simply drive to the Stony Point Ferry Terminal.  You can purchase ferry tickets online or in person. The ferry costs 16 dollars each way or 32 dollars round-trip.  The ferry is relatively small so if you are going on a weekend or public holiday it would be best to buy tickets in advance.

    First Impressions of French Island

    French Island is not a very developed tourist area. It is the perfect place for a rustic wildlife excursion. Don’t expect a bustling boardwalk with shops.  There is a public toilet located just off the jetty. The only store is a 3km walk from the ferry.  We were lucky enough to go on a Sunday when the general store offered a complimentary shuttle service to the general store sparing us the 3 km uphill walk.  This service is only offered on weekends and public holidays and a booking in advance is recommended.  You can make one via the general store website 

    Make sure you are prepared for a successful trip to French Island. Bring plenty of water, weather appropriate clothing, bug spray, and food for your journey.  Aside from the general store there is nowhere to purchase anything.

    Finding Koalas

    The easiest place to find Koalas is conveniently near the general store.  After catching the shuttle we walked further up the road looking in the branches of the eucalyptus trees.  It only took about 10 minutes of looking before we saw our first koala.  It was my first time spotting a wild koala in Australia. This was one of the happiest moments I have had while traveling.  We were lucky this koala was fairly active and put on a show for us. He climbed further up the branches munching on some eucalyptus leaves.

    After watching that guy for a bit we found another Eucalyptus tree with THREE koalas!!! These guys were more keen to nap than entertain us. One of them was on a low branch close to the road and didn’t seem to mind us coming up to take some pictures.  Of course with any wild animals it’s important to remain a respectful distance and absolutely don’t touch the koalas (as much as you might want to)

    Lunch and Echidna sighting

    After a bit of a hike up the road we stopped for a picnic lunch on school road.  While we were eating in a shady spot we were lucky enough to spot an echidna wandering along the fence of a nearby farm.  It did hide it’s face when we approached to take a picture so we left it alone. It was a cool example of how easy it is to spot wildlife on French Island.  

    an Echidna curled up behind a fence post


    Heading back


    There were no more shuttles by the time we turned around. We left early to make sure we could walk back to the ferry in time.  We headed back around 3 to make sure we were on time for the 4:25 ferry.  The last ferry was at 6:30 pm but we had about two hours left of train travel so we didn’t want to stay too late.  On our way back we were fortunate enough to see one more koala. He was running down the street towards a eucalyptus tree.

    Although at first we didn’t know if he was running in for a hug. 

    We made it to the ferry with time to spare. We were able to do some birdwatching on the jetty before our ferry arrived.

    Trip Advice 

    • French Island is not a developed tourist area so make sure to bring everything you need especially drinking water 
    • If you are traveling via public transport the trip can be quite long. Plan your trip in advance because train and ferry times are limited.
    • There is so much more to see on French Island than you can reasonably do in one day on foot.  If you want to see more you can hire a car or bike, take a guided tour, or stay overnight 
    • There is a FREE campground on the Island called Fairhaven Campground.
    • Watch your step and be careful of wildlife, especially snakes that inhabit the island.