So you’ve decided you want to try overnight hiking, well done you! We know the idea of diving straight into a multi-day hike feels a little overwhelming. Lucky for you, there’s a hidden gem just a short ferry ride from Melbourne that makes the perfect starting point for your very first adventure.
French Island is one of Victoria’s best-kept secrets, and once you discover it, you’ll wonder why no one else talks about it. Free from through traffic, blissfully quiet, and brimming with wildlife, this tiny island tucked into Western Port Bay offers everything a beginner needs to ease into overnight hiking without the stress.
In this blog, you’ll learn how to get there, the best time of year to visit, where to camp, which trails to explore, and what incredible flora and fauna you might spot along the way. Whether you’re a complete newcomer or just looking for a manageable first overnighter, French Island might be exactly what you’ve been looking for.
What makes it perfect for beginners
If you’ve been thinking about overnight hiking (a.k.a. adventures with camping in between days of hiking) but aren’t sure you’re ready, French Island in Victoria is one of the best places to take that first step.
The island is car-free, so trails stay quiet and the experience feels remote without requiring tons of hiking experience or technical knowledge. The terrain adds to this, with French Island being mostly flat, reaching a maximum elevation of just 96 metres.
Because French Island National Park is managed by Parks Victoria, the infrastructure is clearly established and accessible to any level of hiker. Marked trails, designated campsites, and an online booking system mean far less guesswork than you might expect from a remote island destination, which is reassuring when you’re new to overnight hiking.
With such seclusion, the atmosphere of French Island feels slow and refreshing, perfect for a weekend away to reset. If you’ve been curious about stunning nights beneath the stars and want to ease in somewhere forgiving and beautiful, this is it.
Getting to French Island
This is refreshingly simple! Stony Point on the Mornington Peninsula is your departure point, and you can reach it by train from Frankston on the Stony Point line, meaning you can do this entire trip without a car.
From Stony Point, Western Port Ferries operates a passenger ferry service across to Tankerton Jetty on French Island. Visit their website at westernportferries.com.au to check current timetables and book your ticket before you travel.
A few things worth knowing before you go:
- Ferries run on a limited schedule and are subject to weather conditions. Check times carefully and book ahead, particularly on weekends and during peak season in Spring
- Arrive with extra time. If you’re driving to Stony Point, use the foreshore carpark for day visitors or Stony Point Road for overnight stays. Give yourself enough time to park, find the terminal, and board without rushing
- There is a train from Frankston Station to Stony Point Station, which takes you right to the ferry, if you’d rather not drive. Remember you’ll need to bring all your gear on the train, however!
- There are no public roads, no vehicles, and no ATMs on the island. Whatever you need, either carry it in or buy it at the General Store once you arrive
That last point is the most important for first-timers: once the ferry leaves, you’re committed. Plan accordingly and the whole experience becomes far more enjoyable.
When you need to visit French Island
Spring (September to November) is the sweet spot for beginners. Temperatures are mild, wildflowers are blooming and the wildlife is putting on a show for you. If you want French Island to make a strong first impression, spring delivers it.
Autumn (March to May) is a close second. The summer crowds have thinned, temperatures are comfortable for walking with a loaded pack and the trails feel peaceful.
Summer (December to February) is manageable but comes with the challenges of heat and potential fire danger. The Mornington Peninsula region can see high and extreme fire danger days during this period. Before any overnight summer trip, check the CFA fire danger rating at cfa.vic.gov.au. If a Total Fire Ban is declared, your plans may need to change quickly.
Winter is best left for later. Cold nights and higher chances of rain can make the sleeping situation more challenging for beginners, or those looking for a more comfortable experience. Unless you are already confident in your gear, save your first French Island overnight for the warmer months.
One thing consistent across all the better seasons: wildlife. Koala sightings and birdwatching are noticeably more rewarding in the slightly cooler months, when animals are active during the day; in summer, they tend to shelter from the heat. This is another reason the surrounding seasons of spring and autumn are our favourite times to go.
There is one hint of civilisation here…
When planning your overnight hike to French Island, it’s worth knowing about the one shop available to you. The French Island General Store sits at Tankerton, right near the ferry jetty, and it’s hard to miss when you step off the boat. When a building is surrounded entirely by nature, it tends to stand out.
The store carries basic supplies like snacks, cold drinks, and some provisions. While it’s handy for topping up on small things, we wouldn’t recommend using it as a substitute for proper meal planning before you leave home. Pack all your food yourself and treat the store as a fun bonus.
Opening hours vary by season and aren’t always reliable online, so call the store directly before your trip to confirm current hours if you think you would like to use it. Ideally you wouldn’t need to use it anyway, just don’t assume it will be open when you arrive.
The staff are also worth a quick chat with. The store doubles as a community hub, and the people behind the counter often carry practical, up-to-date knowledge about current trail conditions.
The best trails to walk on French Island
The Fairhaven Circuit is the go-to starting point for beginners, looping through coastal scrub, wetlands, and open farmland. Check the Parks Victoria French Island National Park page for current distance and difficulty ratings before you head out, as details can be updated seasonally.
For something shorter, the Bayview Track delivers scenic views across Western Port Bay and works well as a manageable day hike within a multi-day loop.
Signage is generally reliable, but mobile coverage on the island is patchy at best. Download an offline map or print a Parks Victoria trail map before you leave home.
Most sections between key points are under 10 km, which is very manageable. Just remember to adjust your expected pace once you’re carrying an overnight pack.
The best campsites to try on French Island
You’ll need to book ahead to secure the gorgeous campsites on French Island. Camping must be reserved in advance through the Parks Victoria portal at bookings.parks.vic.gov.au. Walk-in camping is not guaranteed, and with limited sites available, turning up without a booking is a risk not worth taking.
Fairhaven Campsite on the island’s west coast is the designated camping area for overnight hikers and the only established option within the national park. This is an unpowered site with a drop toilet so you’re getting the true bush camping experiences. Before your trip, check the Parks Victoria French Island page directly to confirm current facilities, water availability, and fire restrictions, as these can change seasonally.
Speaking of water: don’t assume it’ll be readily available or drinkable at the campsite. Water access on the island can be unreliable, so carry at least two to three litres per day and pack a filter or purification tablets as a backup.
Book early. Spring dates and long weekends fill fast. Campsite numbers are small, and once popular dates are listed they go quickly, so get in as soon as your trip is planned.
Flora and fauna you can expect
French Island holds one of Victoria’s largest disease-free koala populations, estimated at between 5,000 and 7,000 koalas. Scan the forks of manna gum and blue gum trees along trail edges, especially in the early morning, to spot some of these Australian icons. Note that the population has faced recent food stress due to habitat pressure, so animals may appear lethargic rather than active. But koalas don’t tend to be too active at the best of times!
At dusk and dawn, keep an eye out for long-nosed potoroos and eastern grey kangaroos as they transition between the bush and more open spaces to graze.
The birdlife is exceptional. White-bellied sea eagles, glossy ibis, and a rotating cast of migratory wading birds use the island’s wetlands and coastal flats, and French Island is considered one of the standout birdwatching locations in the Western Port region.
The vegetation shifts from trail to trail. Coastal scrub gives way to tea-tree heath, saltmarsh, and remnant eucalypt woodland, which means the landscape stays interesting across the full walk rather than feeling repetitive.
Respect every animal you encounter. Keep your distance, never feed wildlife, and resist the urge to approach even a slow-moving koala. If you spot a sick or injured animal, call the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
Your beginner-friendly overnight hiking pack list
There are lots of little gadgets and gizmos you can get for hiking and camping, but there are the essentials outside of your regular hiking clothes:
- navigation: downloaded offline map or printed trail map
- sun protection: sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, light long sleeve shirt and pants
- insulation: extra layers such as thermals and a rain jacket
- headtorch with spare batteries
- a first-aid kit
- fire-starting equipment: check current CFA fire restrictions before packing
- repair tools: medical tape and bandage from your first-aid kit can be multi-purpose here
- nutrition: plan your meals ahead of your trip and consider both what you can carry and what you enjoy
- hydration: water and electrolytes if it’s expected to be hot
- shelter: tent, sleeping mat, sleeping bag
Carry at least 2-3 litres of water per day and bring a filter or purification tablets, as on-island water sources can be unreliable.
For shelter, a lightweight 3-season tent suits French Island conditions for most of the year outside winter. Prioritise minimising weight wherever you can because a heavy pack can turn an easy trail into a hard one.
French Island’s terrain is flat to gently undulating, so sturdy, worn-in trail shoes or lightweight hiking boots are all you need. You could even get away with basic runners on French Island, so leave the heavy boots at home.
Pack a portable battery bank to keep your phone or GPS charged; mobile coverage on the island is limited to non-existent.
Everything you carry in comes back out with you. Leave no trace applies strictly here, right down to fruit peels and food scraps. If you want the full picture on why hiking is one of the best things Australians can do for their health and wellbeing, you can have a read of one of our other blogs.
Would you rather do it with friends?
Now that you know everything that goes into planning an overnight hike, are you keen to do it yourself or would you rather hand off the mental load to someone else?
For beginners, a guided overnight hike removes the admin entirely, which can eliminate a big barrier for some people. Campsite bookings, trail navigation, and safety planning are already handled so you can enjoy the experience more. Take Shape Adventures runs a French Island Overnight Hike built specifically for people taking their first steps into overnight hiking and camping.
Beyond the logistics, there’s a real confidence benefit to hiking with a small group. Sharing experiences and meals can form connections quickly, even distributing the gear between everyone’s bags is an easy way to support one another from the get go. For many people, that community element is what turns their first hike into a habit.
So… when are you going?
French Island ticks every box a beginner needs. It’s secluded and quiet, has manageable walking, showcases stunning wildlife and is accessible easily from the mainland. Remember these four key tasks when making your French Island adventure happen:
- Book your ferry ticket from Stony Point
- Reserve your campsite through Parks Victoria
- Check the CFA fire danger rating for your travel dates at cfa.vic.gov.au
- Download an offline trail map before you go
Pack everything you need from home. The General Store at Tankerton is a treat, but it is not a safety net. Your gear, your food, and your water supply should all be sorted before you board the ferry.
If you want company, guidance, and someone else to handle the logistics, Take Shape Adventures offers a French Island Overnight Hike built for beginners, or we have other overnight hikes across Victoria and longer trips with accommodation across Australia and the world.
Overnight hiking is a skill you build one night at a time. You do not need to be fit, experienced, or especially brave to start. You just need to start. French Island is one of the finest places in Victoria to take that first step, and it is waiting for you right now.