French Island Marine National Park, Marine national park in Western Port, Victoria, Australia
French Island Marine National Park extends along the northern shore and protects shallow seagrass meadows, mangrove forests, and muddy tidal flats covering approximately 2,800 hectares. These interconnected coastal habitats create a layered ecosystem where each zone supports different forms of marine life.
The park was established in November 2002 and immediately recognized as a Ramsar site due to its international importance for wetland conservation. This designation reflects early professional acknowledgment of the ecological value this coastal zone holds.
The park sits within the traditional Sea Country of the Bunurong people, representing a landscape where Aboriginal heritage remains visible in the landscape itself. Walking through these waters and shores, visitors encounter a place shaped by centuries of Indigenous connection to this coastline.
Access the park via boat launching facilities at Warneet or Tooradin, with kayaking and canoeing being the best ways to explore these shallow waters. The calm conditions and gentle coastline make small boats ideal for getting close to the habitats.
The mudflats support millions of tiny benthic animals that convert sediment into food for nearly 300 bird species that visit these waters. Black Swans and Royal Spoonbills rely on this hidden underwater process during their feeding throughout the seasons.
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