French Island ferry: Cost & timetable from Stony Point

The French Island ferry from Stony Point on the Mornington Peninsula costs $13.50 for adults. The Western Port Ferry crossing takes around 15 minutes.

French Island in Western Port Bay near Melbourne, Victoria, is only accessible by boat. This undeveloped island, near the much better-known Phillip Island, is an important koala refuge and largely off the tourist map.

French Island in Western Port Bay, Victoria, Australia — French Island is the biggest island in Western Port Bay. Photo courtesy of Visit Victoria.

If you do decide to visit French Island, however, you’re going to need to take the French Island ferry from Stony Point on the Mornington Peninsula.

French Island ferry times from Stony Point

The French Island ferry service from Stony Point is run by Western Port Ferries. The company also connects Phillip Island with the Mornington Peninsula. There are several services from Stony Point to French Island every day, starting at 7.10am, and finishing at 6.50pm. The last departure back to Stony Point from French Island is at 7.05pm. Crossings take about 15 minutes.

Weekend services on the French Island ferry aren’t quite as frequent, and the first Stony Point ferry departure is at 9.15am. Be aware, however, that these timetables are subject to change and should be checked on the Western Port Ferries website. You should arrive at the ferry terminal at least ten minutes prior to departure.

French Island ferry fare prices

One way fares on the French Island ferry cost $13.50 for adults and $6.40 for children. Infants under the age of five travel free of charge. If you want to take a bike with you – and there are some good mountain biking trails on French Island – it’s an extra $4.

It is also possible to combine the ferry ticket with a French Island tour. To book the ferry and tour package, go through Naturaliste Tours rather than Western Port Ferries. The tours pick up just outside the Tankerton Jetty, where the French Island ferries from Stony Point arrive.

There is also a ferry from Phillip Island to French Island.

More things to do in Victoria

See the enormous Steavenson Falls near Maryville.

Enjoy the changing seasons at the Alfred Nicholas Gardens in the Dandenong Ranges.

Take the Western Port Ferry and go koala-spotting on French Island.

Enjoy seafood with bayside views at The Rocks Mornington.

Drink infused vodkas on the rooftop at Naked For Satan in Melbourne.