We've just got back from a little family holiday that included
somewhere overseas

and French
oooh la la!
um not what you are thinkin'!

Western Port Bay's very own French Island.
The contrast between the very well known, internationally recognized, Phillip Island and the "where is that?" French Island couldnt be more extreme.
To give you an idea...
Phillip Island is about 10,000 Hectares with 7000 permanent residents - the population expanding to over 50,000 in summer. Over 3.5 million visitors every year.
Its well known and loved for the Grand Prix, the penguin parade and the fantastic surf beaches.
French Island is much larger - 17,000 hectares but has only 75 residents. About 6,000 people visit each year.
Its largely overlooked. And thats what makes it so intriguing.
There are no utility services. No gas , electricity or water. Residents need to be self sufficient for these themselves. They rely on rain water tanks, wind/solar power and diesel generators.
No police. No council. No petrol station. No medical services. No church. No road connection to the main land. No airport. No sealed roads. No speed limit (the corrogations +++ sure will keep your speed in check any way). The cars are mostly unregistered....and have a very hard life - salt and rough dirt roads!
There is just one shop

(a general store - its the grocery shop, pub, PO and hardware store all in one) It has a piano , book corner and a cosy fireplace too.
French Island has a primary school with 11 students. A cricket pitch. A community hall. A tip. Two jetty's . A cemetry.

I really loved this HUGE jelly mould ?? improvised as a vase.
A camping ground and a small handful of places to stay.
The island had a prison farm and this operated between 1915 and 1975. It housed over 100 inmates serving the last term of their sentence.

We met the lovely Lois who is a 4th generation local...and had a tour of the Bayview Chicory Kiln built in 1897 (now tearooms and museum)




2/3 of French Island is National Park - and the rest is privately owned.
It has been inhabited since around 1800 and boasts pristine native flora/fauna and fascinating history.
So close to home and yet another world away.
Jump on the passenger ferry at Cowes or Stoney Point - or put your car on the barge at Corinella (permit needed)
xo Cath