OFF THE beaten TRACK

Name an island just off the Victorian coast south of Melbourne. Yep, I’d have instantly thought of Phillip Island too. Yet, there is a much bigger landmass tucked inside Western Port Bay that doesn’t have mains water, mains power, medical services or police. There’s no racetrack either, although you probably already picked that.

At 14,000 hectares and 23km end-to-end, French Island is the largest of Victoria’s coastal islands yet is relatively isolated and only boasts a permanent population of around 150. The