Naturaliste Tours
Naturaliste Tours
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About
Discover the history, natural beauty & abundant wildlife of French Island, an unspoilt, remote island only 1 hour from Melbourne and a 15 min ferry from Phillip Island and the Mornington Peninsula. Naturaliste Tours operates small guided tours in 4WD off ride vehicles. Experience the vast array of flora & fauna, stop at historic sites, lookout points and see the wildlife such as koalas & echidnas.
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5.0
21 reviews
Excellent
20
Very good
1
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Chelsea M
1 contribution
Dec. 2022 • Couples
The staff are lovely and full of information, they have such a happy and bubbly personality and make your experience worth while.
Written 16 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Polly G
Thank you for your positive feedback! We are delighted to hear that you found our staff to be lovely, knowledgeable and enthusiastic. We strive to provide our customers with an enjoyable and informative experience, and it is great to know that we were able to make your visit worthwhile. We look forward to welcoming you back in the future.
Written 16 February 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Dora Exploradora
1 contribution
Mar. 2022 • Couples
Brilliant tour, guide and taste of the island. My partner and I did the explorer tour. Can’t say enough. Very easy to book online includes ferry ticket - great value! Lunch with a local was amazing with some local wine to try as well. Highly recommend. Only complaint was it wasn’t long enough! 🙂
Written 24 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you Dora_siempre_anda, for the lovely review and feedback. The Discover French Island is a great introductory tour and give you a glimpse of this very large island and the beautiful flora and fauna and of course the lovely locals and their fascinating off grid lifestyle.
Hope to you see you back on our French Island Winery Tour - Wines, Vines and Vistas where you explore the delightful vineyard, meet the local winemaker and have a fabulous lunch.
Warm regards,
Leanne
Written 31 March 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Abu Abdullah
2 contributions
Dec. 2021
French Island was an amazing place, and I would have no other tour guide to accompany us than Naturaliste Tours - especially when your guide was Adam. He was an insightful yet charming tour guide who took us through the tranquil place that is French Island. Cecile and Louis were amazing caretakers in our trip to the island, and the place was wonderful. Such a beautiful landscape, and so quite, it's as if you are tens of thousands of kilometres away from the city, when its just around 50 from Melbourne City. Would highly recommend!
Written 11 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you GlassesGuy321 for the fantastic review. French Island is indeed a hidden treasure and right on our door step. So glad you enjoyed the experience. Your lovely comments have been passed on.
Warm regards,
Leanne
Written 6 February 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Neil M
1 contribution
Nov. 2021
This was a great experience with our guide Matt who introduced us to outstanding local people where we not only learnt about the history, flora and fauna but were really impressed with the gracious welcome we received. Thoroughly recommend this tour for all.
Written 18 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the lovely review and feedback. You comments have been passed on to Matt.
Glad you enjoyed the interesting history, flora and fauna of course the warm welcome, that is French Island.
Hope to see you again.
Regards,
Leanne
Written 1 December 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jane Northwood
4 contributions
Mar. 2020
After taking a UK and American visitor and ourselves on this tour after 30 years on the Peninsula we were not disappointed. Steve, our guide, spotted all the animals on request. A wonderful home cooked lunch with the owner of the homestead at the end of the tour was amazing. We will bring other friends with us and spread the word. Fantastic day, thank you so much.
Written 20 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the wonderful review. French Island is a hidden gem, right on our doorstep. With wildlife encounters, an opportunity to meet locals and hear about the fascinating, off grid lifestyle and history of the island it truly is unique experience.
We look forward to welcoming you and friends and family back again.
Warmest regards,
Written 22 March 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Local
178 contributions
Jan. 2020
French Island is certainly not the ordinary destination but Naturaliste Tours goes further and makes it like a discovery journey.Thanks to Steve who has a wealth of knowledge about the island, I learned a lot about the History of French Island,the tradition of chicory and the local flora and fauna .During the Tour, we saw echidnas, koalas, spiders, one snake and a lot of migratory birds.If you like Tours with a difference, focused on nature, in a peaceful environment with a nice and very informative guide, this tour is for you.The tour finishes at the local cafe.Ferries are very reliable.
Finally, the price of the Tour is very reasonable and includes lunch.
Final tip : ferries are free for seniors on weekends and public holidays
Finally, the price of the Tour is very reasonable and includes lunch.
Final tip : ferries are free for seniors on weekends and public holidays
Written 25 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you Annie for the wonderful review. You have encapsulated the "Discover French Island Tour" very well. Our guides are very knowledgable and enthusiastic about the Island, its history, flora and fauna.
We have recently added the" Wines, Vines & Vistas" tour which is great for food, wine and nature lovers and for those looking for a unique experience away from the normal offerings.
Hope to see you on another tour or sailing with Western Port Ferries sometime soon.
Warm regards,
Leanne
Written 9 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Andrew J
1 contribution
Jan. 2020
We were a couple of four, Andrew and Jill, Alan and Sylvia
We had a thoroughly memorable day courtesy of our guide Steve, who made it very knowledgeable and exciting, which came to an end all too soon! Lunch at Celia's Mandalaye property was a truly magic visit and is an incredible homestead.
We look forward to going back and seeing some more of the Island.
Thoroughly recommend.
We had a thoroughly memorable day courtesy of our guide Steve, who made it very knowledgeable and exciting, which came to an end all too soon! Lunch at Celia's Mandalaye property was a truly magic visit and is an incredible homestead.
We look forward to going back and seeing some more of the Island.
Thoroughly recommend.
Written 3 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you Andrew for the fantastic review. Glad you and your group had an enjoyable time. Steve is a font of knowledge and very passionate about the flora and fauna. And, yes we agree, Mandalaye Park is a magical property.
Hope to see you back again, maybe try our new Wines, Vines and Vistas Tour.
Warm regards,
Leanne
Written 5 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Celia H
1 contribution
Dec. 2019 • Couples
Well organised and excellent tour - I really liked the interesting information about French Island flora, fauna and history. The walks were lovely and the winery lunch was outstanding. Although, we sat in the sun and little water was provided - not good on a high 30's day.
Written 2 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you 950celiah for the lovely review. French Island is such an interesting, remote & pristine destination, and only just 1 hour from Melbourne is a great place to relax, switch off and take in the beauty of the landscape and wildlife. Thank you for the feedback about the water.
Hope to see you again.
Warm regards,
Written 5 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
RohiniFernz
Melbourne, Australia137 contributions
If you’re reading this and wondering if you should be booking a tour with Naturaliste - do yourself a favour and book one in for sure.
We had a fantastic time with the lovely Linda who greeted us as we got off the ferry at French Island. We climbed into their impressive 4WD and off we went.
The tour is a mix of walks, drives and wine & food and you learn a lot about the island on it.
Linda is obviously passionate both about its history but also it’s flora, fauna and wildlife and a fantastic tour guide. We saw plenty of koalas, a couple of echidnas and even a snake or 2.
We really enjoyed our visit to the French Island Vineyard who do a generous wine tasting, delicious cheese platters and amazing pizzas for lunch. Bought some bottles of wine & relishes for home and I can’t wait to have them.
It was a great trip, not too rushed (though being a wino, a bit more time at the winery would have been nice too) and you really get to appreciate the beautiful French Island. Thanks very much for everything Linda!
We had a fantastic time with the lovely Linda who greeted us as we got off the ferry at French Island. We climbed into their impressive 4WD and off we went.
The tour is a mix of walks, drives and wine & food and you learn a lot about the island on it.
Linda is obviously passionate both about its history but also it’s flora, fauna and wildlife and a fantastic tour guide. We saw plenty of koalas, a couple of echidnas and even a snake or 2.
We really enjoyed our visit to the French Island Vineyard who do a generous wine tasting, delicious cheese platters and amazing pizzas for lunch. Bought some bottles of wine & relishes for home and I can’t wait to have them.
It was a great trip, not too rushed (though being a wino, a bit more time at the winery would have been nice too) and you really get to appreciate the beautiful French Island. Thanks very much for everything Linda!
Written 17 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you RohiniFernz for the wonderful review. This is one of our newest tours and mixing food and wine with unspoilt, natural scenery is proving a real winner. And of course let's not forget the wildlife encounters, as you experienced. Our guides live locally and can really give you an insight into, not only the beautiful, pristine, environment but also the lifestyle of this off grid island destination.
Hope to see you again, maybe try our Discover French Island Tour, lunching with locals and more sights!
Warm regards,
Leanne
Written 19 December 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
JenJen
3 contributions
Nov. 2019
Our journey began today leaving Stoney Point on the Searoad Ferries trip over to French Island. Our tour guide Julie was there to greet us with a smile!
We were taken on a trip around the Island seeing local sites and then stopping off at the French Island Vineyard for a wine tasting with some yummy tastes of local produce and wood fired pizza. A few bottles of wine were also purchased to take home and enjoy.
Back in the vehicle for more exploring through the national parks, stopping off for more walks and to soak in the stunning views of the bay and landscapes. Julie was a wealth of knowlege on all the flora & fauna and was happy to answer a barrage of questions we threw at her.
We thoroughly enjoyed the day and would highly recommend this to anyone interested in learning more about one of the little Islands on our Victorian coastline.
Thank you Julie
We were taken on a trip around the Island seeing local sites and then stopping off at the French Island Vineyard for a wine tasting with some yummy tastes of local produce and wood fired pizza. A few bottles of wine were also purchased to take home and enjoy.
Back in the vehicle for more exploring through the national parks, stopping off for more walks and to soak in the stunning views of the bay and landscapes. Julie was a wealth of knowlege on all the flora & fauna and was happy to answer a barrage of questions we threw at her.
We thoroughly enjoyed the day and would highly recommend this to anyone interested in learning more about one of the little Islands on our Victorian coastline.
Thank you Julie
Written 17 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you Jenavo for a wonderful review of our new Wines, Vines and Vista Tour on French Island. It is a great taste and introduction of French Island and appeals to those that like Food and Wine as well as a little adventure, wildlife spotting and background on island life and its history.
The tour is great value including wine tasting and lunch.
Hope to see you sailing with Western Port Ferries or on tour again.
Regards,
Leanne
Written 24 November 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sally G
Sydney, Australia5 contributions
Would this tour be suitable for my 80 year old mother who is not good with steps but can walk (slowly) on flat ground?
