See Koalas in the Wild | Day trip to the Beautiful French Island [Event #13]

We are heading to French Island to spot Koalas in the wild. This is our 13th event to French Island. If you are a youtuber or content creator, please message me before signing up.

Please complete these three steps to confirm your spot:

Step 1: Please RSVP to this event on meetup.

Step 2: Please pay the organizer fee ($20 - Lucky Bird, $25 - Early Bird, $30 - Regular) - https://www.trybooking.com/DBHDN

This includes Parks Victoria fee of $2.40 per person, 10% GST and other costs such as insurance among other fees.

Step 3: Please buy the return ferry ticket ($32.20).
https://bookings.westernportferries.com.au/BookingCat/Availability/?&brand=WPF&parentcategory=WAF-WPF
Choose: "Return" under Stony Point to French Island
Date: 17th May
Onward (Stony Point to French Island) : 2 pm
Return (French Island to Stony Point): 5:55 pm

Trybooking tickets are non-refundable. There is no option to transfer the ticket to a new date. Trybooking tickets will be only refunded if the event is cancelled or moved. Payments are managed through Trybooking and not Meetup. You will see an "Unpaid" status on your RSVP. The only thing you need is the Trybooking ticket which you will receive by email.

Meeting Point: Let's meet infront of the black direction sign in Federation Square at 10:00 AM. Meeting directly at Stony Point is not an option for this event.

Meeting Point Photo: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ldSwcbr0ag7AGnQQGDk_T8uXjsY9N26Q/view?usp=sharing

This is a rain or shine event.

Please follow us on Social Media for photos, videos & updates:
YouTube | Facebook Page | Facebook Group | Instagram | TikTok | ExploreMelbourne.AU

Please bring your myki. You will need $7.60 on your myki card or have myki pass. Please add money into your card before coming to the meeting point. Please also carry water and take away lunch. We will also make a quick stop in Frankston for buying takeaway lunch.

We hope to be back in the city around 8:45 PM if we make the return connecting train.

Let's go Koala spotting on the beautiful French Island. Our journey will involve Train and Ferry journey. French Island is the largest coastal island of Victoria. 70% of the island is a national park. The Island is home to the world's densest population of koalas, and many species of birds.

Cost:

Organizer Fee: $20 - Lucky Bird, $25 - Early Bird, $30 - Regular
This includes Parks Victoria fee of $2.40 per person, 10% GST and other costs such as insurance.

Public Transport Cost (varies):

Myki Pass (Zone 1/2): $0
Myki Money: $7.60
Myki Money (Concession): $3.80

Please ensure that your myki has enough money before coming to the meeting point.

Ferry to French Island: $32.20 (Return).

Walking Distance: We will have a little over 3 hours on French Island. Expect to walk around a total of 10km. There is a shuttle bus for people who eat at the General Store which can reduce the walking distance by half (Advance Booking essential). I will share the booking steps with the ticket holders a day before the event. If you are booking this complimentary shuttle, please only book for yourself. Don't worry about the group.

Sunscreen: Please apply sunscreen to protect your skin. There is very little shade on French Island.

Explore Melbourne is the largest meetup group in Australia. We have eight simple rules in place to protect our community and for everyone to have a positive experience.

❌ Not a dating group! – We’re here to make friends, not find soulmates. No flirty business, please!

📵 No phone numbers, please! – Feel free to swap social media if both parties are cool with it, but let’s keep our digits private. Please don’t add people to WhatsApp or other groups.

🔞 Our events are only open to people aged 18 and older.

📢 Please do not advertise other events or groups.

😅 Don’t be a social octopus! – Give people space to chat with others. Please don't be clingy.

🚗 We don't allow carpooling due to safety incidents/our public liability insurance not covering motor related accidents.

💰 No sales pitches! – No selling, no MLMs, no pyramid schemes, no “life-changing mentorship” offers—let’s keep things scam-free.

📸 Cameras welcome, but… – please refrain from taking photos of our members for privacy reasons.

By joining this event, you’re giving us a virtual pinky promise 🤝 that you’ll follow the rules. Break them, and—poof!—you’re out for good. No second chances, no do-overs. Let’s keep it fun, friendly, and drama-free!

Liability Waiver:

The organizer of this group cannot accept any liability for any loss, damage, injury, or accident to participants or their property at this event. By participating in this event, you're taking responsibility for your safety and well-being. By joining this event, you agree to the liability waiver mentioned here: https://exploremelbourne.au/explore-melbourne-liability-waiver/