Western Port, is a large tidal bay in southern Victoria opening into Bass Strait. It is listed under the Ramsar Convention as a wetland of international significance. Originally the area around the bay and the two main islands: French Island and Philip Island were part of the Boon Wurrung/Bunnarong peoples’ territory. The Boon Wurrung/Bunnarong people are members of the Kulin nation who have lived here for thousands of years.
For about 20 years the town of Grantville centred on the timber industry and by 1874 two saw mills were established in the hills and Grantville became a supply port. Short tramways were constructed between the sawmills in the hills and the jetty to enable ships to bring in supplies for the locals and carry out timber to Melbourne on their return.
