French Island, Victoria
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French Island Victoria |
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Looking west over Western Port to Mornington Peninsula from the coast road
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 French Island
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| Coordinates | 38°21′00″S 145°22′12″E / 38.35000°S 145.37000°ECoordinates: 38°21′00″S 145°22′12″E / 38.35000°S 145.37000°E |
| Population | 116 (2011 census) |
| • Density | 0.682/km2 (1.77/sq mi) |
| Postcode(s) | 3921 |
| Area | 170 km2 (65.6 sq mi) |
| LGA(s) | Unincorporated area |
| State electorate(s) | Bass |
| Federal Division(s) | Flinders |
French Island is the largest coastal island of Victoria, Australia, located in Western Port, 61 km (38 mi) southeast of Melbourne. In 1997 about 70% of the island was declared the French Island National Park, administered by Parks Victoria, which is listed in the register of the National Estate. The island is an unincorporated area, meaning it is not part of any municipal council, and is a declared locality of Victoria having its own postcode. Community issues are dealt by the French Island Community Association. The island is otherwise administered by Department of Infrastructure. The population of the island in 2011 was around 116 people, of which about 60 were permanent residents.
French Island is relatively isolated and undeveloped. There are no mains water, mains electricity, or medical services on the island. There is one small general store and post office located on Tankerton Road about 3 km (1.9 mi) from Tankerton Jetty. Many of the locals actively promote environmental tourism. Visitor accommodation includes camping, bed and breakfast, guesthouse and farmstay.
According to Aboriginal tribal songs, the Bunarong Tribe lived and hunted on French Island, until they were massacred by a warring Gippsland tribe.
In April 1802, a French expedition ship Naturaliste under Jacques Hamelin explored the area, as part of the Baudin expedition to Australia. He named the island Ile de Françoise, since Anglicised as French Island.
The first European settlers on the island were William and John Gardiner in 1847. They had the first pastoral lease and grazed 8,000 sheep. The first land subdivision was in 1867 when 4733 acres were divided into 14 allotments. The first land sales took place in 1873 with the minimum price £1 per acre.
In the 1880s, koalas were introduced to the island.
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