McLeod Eco Farm
French Island
McLeod Road, French Island, Australia, 3921
beds from |
$ 20.34 |
Hostel Description
Greetings from the staff of McLeod Eco Farm.
Experience an unforgettable part of Australia's ecological and cultural history, only 65Km from Melbourne!
Your visit to McLeod Farm will allow you to:
Travel back in time to French Island, the largest island in Westernport Bay, where you won't find any sealed roads, power poles, shopping centers, or general hustle and bustle of the city.
See the world's largest disease-free koala population, several nationally-protected rare and endangered animals and plants, and Australia's Southern-most mangrove-filled wetlands.
Imagine as you sit inside one of the original cells what it would have been like to be locked up in French Island's famous historical prison.
Visit the only place on Earth (right on our farm) where a particular kind of green-hooded orchid grows in its natural habitat.
Eat gourmet organic meals prepared by our fantastic chefs from ingredients grown right here on our farm.
Entertain your kids for hours as they feed our pigs and collect eggs from our chickens.
Tee-off on one of Australia's totally organic 9-hole golf courses.
Sleep in comfortable and affordable accommodation.
Go Star-gazing with Astro on French (bookings essential)
Purchase delicious organic produce from our farm and garden (subject to season)
McLeod was built as a prison farm and operated as a jail between 1916 and 1975. Between 1977 and 1985 it was a Life - Be In It children's camp operated by the Victorian Government, entertaining and educating many thousands of students. In December 1995 it was bought by Next Generation International. Since then we have steadily been growing a working organic farm as a showcase for farmers who have the potential and desire to convert their properties to more profitable and sustainable farms. After extensive renovation, McLeod Eco Farm opened its doors in November 1997, offering a unique organic farm-stay experience, where no man-made Herbicides, pesticides or insecticides were used at any point during the farms' production process.
McLeod Eco Farm is 222 hectares (555 acres) and is completely surrounded by French Island's 11,100-hectare National Park. Our facilities can sleep up to 156 people, with two different types of accommodation available: Our carpeted and cosy 2-person bunkrooms (31 rooms), or in our comfortable guesthouse accommodation. The guesthouse sleeps up to 30 with three double rooms, four twins and four 4-bed bunk rooms (some with bay views). It contains a large lounge with open fireplace, a veranda, dining room and full commercial kitchen (also our self-catering kitchen). While all rooms use shared amenities, the guesthouse is available as self-contained private accommodation with personal toilets and showers for small groups and couples. Winter visitors should also note that our rooms are not heated, hot water bottles are provided as well as extra bedding. In the middle of the old accommodation is our Recreation Hall. It houses a dance floor, a stage and two breakout/workshop areas that are very well suited to any group size.
La Tavern du Naturaliste, our newly named restaurant in honour of French Island's 200 year anniversary. Serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, as part of your accommodation package or to self-catered guests on Saturday and Sundays. Le Naturaliste was one of the discovery ships sent out by France on October 18, 1800 on Nicolas-Thomas Boudin's scientific expedition and it seems only fitting to highlight the natural aspect of our farm and in fact all of French Island.
Our farm is especially well suited for large groups such as schools and clubs desiring many outdoor, educational and interesting nature-based activities, as well as those couples and families just wanting to 'get away from it all'. McLeod is ideally located for fishing, bush walking, scenic cycling, bird watching, swimming: at our secluded beach or our fresh water dam, playing a round of golf on our organic 9-hole course, football or cricket on our full size oval or just for soaking up the ambience.
Our farm is quiet and secluded, and it's the perfect place to put up your feet and relax, let nature be your entertainment for the day. We hire all equipment needed. Tours of French Island and Westernport Bay can also be easily arranged (bookings essential).
Want to sample it all for yourself before deciding to stay with us overnight?
French Island Eco Tours can offer you a glimpse into what island life is like today and how it's changed since yesterday.
French Island Eco Tours offers environmental, wildlife and cultural tours of the island with our without lunch on Wednesdays and Sundays. With extra tours available during the summer holidays. For more information go to www.frenchislandecotours.com.au
French Island Llama Experience
Stroll with a llama through French Island's first olive grove while enjoying views of Western Port Bay and Philip Island. Including a gourmet picnic lunch carried by your Llama, featuring Australian olive oils and local wines.
All of these tours can be arranged for our guests to enjoy during their stay here with us.
McLeod is ideally located for:
Fishing - down at the beach
Bush Walking, Bird Watching & Koala Spotting - in French Island National Park
Swimming at our secluded beach or our freshwater dam
9-holes of Golf - on our organic course
Oval Sports - organise a game of cricket or footy on our full size oval
Bike Riding - Ride to the farm from Tankerton jetty (only 22kms). Or hire bikes from us and use them around the farm during your stay
Ping Pong and Pool Table located in our recreation hall
Feeding and Collecting - help Mark feed our pigs and collect fresh eggs from our chickens
Murder Mysteries - why not arrange your own mystery during your stay. Great for 15 - 100.
Simple, quiet and private relaxation time
Please Note:
We ask that you bring your own helmets for bike riding, and your own golf balls. We hire all other equipment needed.
**Remember to bring**
Insect repellent, torches, binoculars, hat, camera, film, towels and toiletries
Experience an unforgettable part of Australia's ecological and cultural history, only 65Km from Melbourne!
Your visit to McLeod Farm will allow you to:
Travel back in time to French Island, the largest island in Westernport Bay, where you won't find any sealed roads, power poles, shopping centers, or general hustle and bustle of the city.
See the world's largest disease-free koala population, several nationally-protected rare and endangered animals and plants, and Australia's Southern-most mangrove-filled wetlands.
Imagine as you sit inside one of the original cells what it would have been like to be locked up in French Island's famous historical prison.
Visit the only place on Earth (right on our farm) where a particular kind of green-hooded orchid grows in its natural habitat.
Eat gourmet organic meals prepared by our fantastic chefs from ingredients grown right here on our farm.
Entertain your kids for hours as they feed our pigs and collect eggs from our chickens.
Tee-off on one of Australia's totally organic 9-hole golf courses.
Sleep in comfortable and affordable accommodation.
Go Star-gazing with Astro on French (bookings essential)
Purchase delicious organic produce from our farm and garden (subject to season)
McLeod was built as a prison farm and operated as a jail between 1916 and 1975. Between 1977 and 1985 it was a Life - Be In It children's camp operated by the Victorian Government, entertaining and educating many thousands of students. In December 1995 it was bought by Next Generation International. Since then we have steadily been growing a working organic farm as a showcase for farmers who have the potential and desire to convert their properties to more profitable and sustainable farms. After extensive renovation, McLeod Eco Farm opened its doors in November 1997, offering a unique organic farm-stay experience, where no man-made Herbicides, pesticides or insecticides were used at any point during the farms' production process.
McLeod Eco Farm is 222 hectares (555 acres) and is completely surrounded by French Island's 11,100-hectare National Park. Our facilities can sleep up to 156 people, with two different types of accommodation available: Our carpeted and cosy 2-person bunkrooms (31 rooms), or in our comfortable guesthouse accommodation. The guesthouse sleeps up to 30 with three double rooms, four twins and four 4-bed bunk rooms (some with bay views). It contains a large lounge with open fireplace, a veranda, dining room and full commercial kitchen (also our self-catering kitchen). While all rooms use shared amenities, the guesthouse is available as self-contained private accommodation with personal toilets and showers for small groups and couples. Winter visitors should also note that our rooms are not heated, hot water bottles are provided as well as extra bedding. In the middle of the old accommodation is our Recreation Hall. It houses a dance floor, a stage and two breakout/workshop areas that are very well suited to any group size.
La Tavern du Naturaliste, our newly named restaurant in honour of French Island's 200 year anniversary. Serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, as part of your accommodation package or to self-catered guests on Saturday and Sundays. Le Naturaliste was one of the discovery ships sent out by France on October 18, 1800 on Nicolas-Thomas Boudin's scientific expedition and it seems only fitting to highlight the natural aspect of our farm and in fact all of French Island.
Our farm is especially well suited for large groups such as schools and clubs desiring many outdoor, educational and interesting nature-based activities, as well as those couples and families just wanting to 'get away from it all'. McLeod is ideally located for fishing, bush walking, scenic cycling, bird watching, swimming: at our secluded beach or our fresh water dam, playing a round of golf on our organic 9-hole course, football or cricket on our full size oval or just for soaking up the ambience.
Our farm is quiet and secluded, and it's the perfect place to put up your feet and relax, let nature be your entertainment for the day. We hire all equipment needed. Tours of French Island and Westernport Bay can also be easily arranged (bookings essential).
Want to sample it all for yourself before deciding to stay with us overnight?
French Island Eco Tours can offer you a glimpse into what island life is like today and how it's changed since yesterday.
French Island Eco Tours offers environmental, wildlife and cultural tours of the island with our without lunch on Wednesdays and Sundays. With extra tours available during the summer holidays. For more information go to www.frenchislandecotours.com.au
French Island Llama Experience
Stroll with a llama through French Island's first olive grove while enjoying views of Western Port Bay and Philip Island. Including a gourmet picnic lunch carried by your Llama, featuring Australian olive oils and local wines.
All of these tours can be arranged for our guests to enjoy during their stay here with us.
McLeod is ideally located for:
Fishing - down at the beach
Bush Walking, Bird Watching & Koala Spotting - in French Island National Park
Swimming at our secluded beach or our freshwater dam
9-holes of Golf - on our organic course
Oval Sports - organise a game of cricket or footy on our full size oval
Bike Riding - Ride to the farm from Tankerton jetty (only 22kms). Or hire bikes from us and use them around the farm during your stay
Ping Pong and Pool Table located in our recreation hall
Feeding and Collecting - help Mark feed our pigs and collect fresh eggs from our chickens
Murder Mysteries - why not arrange your own mystery during your stay. Great for 15 - 100.
Simple, quiet and private relaxation time
Please Note:
We ask that you bring your own helmets for bike riding, and your own golf balls. We hire all other equipment needed.
**Remember to bring**
Insect repellent, torches, binoculars, hat, camera, film, towels and toiletries
Hostel Directions
Passenger ferries leave from Stony Point (near Crib point and Hastings on the Mornington Peninsula), or Cowes on Phillip Island. There is also a barge service that operates from Corinella, near the Bass Highway, to transport vehicles onto the island.
Fly direct to McLeod with Tristar Aviation - Charter flights to and from French Island, departing from Moorabbin.
Fly direct to McLeod with Tristar Aviation - Charter flights to and from French Island, departing from Moorabbin.
Photos from McLeod Eco Farm
click on images to see a larger version
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Facilities
- Bar
- Games
- Cheap
- Products
- Cards
- Pool
- Curfew
- Tour
- Safe
- Lounge
- Restaurant
- Catering
- Phone
- Free Linen
