raymond island

Pegawil

Raymond Island is worth visiting if you are down in the Bairnsdale area. The little town of Paynesville on the mainland is picturesque and growing with several coffee shops and cafes along the waterfront. A regular ferry service transports foot traffic and vehicles on a two minute voyage to Raymond Island - a flat sandy island in the Gippsland Lakes system. We managed to see 9 koalas in their natural habitat - very large healthy animals with seemingly no predators or diseases. And that was in a 10 minute walk! This is a unique and interesting location where you can drive around the island and see many holiday shacks tucked into the banksia forests, with just a few substantial dwellings here and there.

Rightlocation

During our one hour drive around Raymond Island, we say cockatoos, kangaroos and an amazing abundance of healthy banksia trees and tall gum trees. The island is well suited to bike riding or driving by car. If you came as a pedestrian your exploration of the island could be quite limiting. Pedestrians and bicycles travel on the 5 minute ferry free of charge; an $11 fee applies to car, motorbike or car with caravan. You need to take any supplies with you. A peaceful place to visit but so disappointing not to spot one koala when Raymond Island is so strongly promoted as the wildlife place to see koalas.

jillm279

Novel transport over to the Island, but pretty basic after that.If you walk around long enough you might see a Koala, but it's not easy to spot them in the trees.Not a lot there otherwise but often lots of mosquitos. Take the repellent.

NiftyMelbourne

It's a two minute ferry ride from the mainland but the island is like a wildlife sanctuary without fences. You will see koalas in trees, walking along the ground or sitting on fences, lots of kangaroos and wallabies, echidnas, and wonderful birdlife including kookaburras, corellas, cockatoos and rosellas. There are also pelicans, swans and cormorants, and sometimes sea-eagles. If you are lucky a pod of dolphins might come through the straits while you are there. But the highlight is the koala population. These island koalas seem to have no fear of humans, and you could be lucky enough to see one at eye-level - they sometimes sit in very small trees. The ferry is free for pedestrians and cyclists but there is a small charge for vehicles. No shops on the island.

swagmen

I've grown up my whole life with my parents hobbie being sailing, so I've been to Raymond Island many times throughout my life. There's heaps of wild life, flora and forna to see and don't worry if you don't have a boat there's a ferry across from paynesville for only a few dollars, you can take your car and drive around the tracks, you don't need a 4x4 either but go slow and enjoy the island.

839louiseb

It was amazing following the trail around where people live and seeing so many koalas up the trees. I Can only imagine how great it is to look out of a kitchen window to look up in the tree at the bottom of the garden and see a koala lounged there. We also saw an echidna trying to get under a fence into someone's garden. the ferry is free if you are a walk on passenger. There is no cost to walk round the island.

tejiraj

It is the number one attraction in Paynesville town and is just a ferry ride away(2 minutes). It is so near that the town authorities could build a bridge and connect to the mainland but then it will loose it’s charm. On the ferry, you have pay for your vehicle but cyclists and pedestrians go free. As you cross over you can see numerous Koala in their natural habitat. Some people do live on the island but the rest is covered by trees and on the other side a small beach. We were told that you can find Kangaroo too but as went after a late breakfast we did not find any. If you look into the sea you can also see a number of jelly fish. It is ideal place to have a daylong picnic if you are in Paynesville for a long time though we could not do as we were there only for the weekend. An absolute must.

fizn2014

Apparently there are several 100 koala on the island. We drove around and saw three. Also wallabies. Insect repellent essential.

Nearly49

The number one attraction in town for a reason. Pleasant to take the ferry across (2 minute crossing) which is free for pedestrians. Then start looking up! We saw numerous Koala as we walked around including 3 at the park opposite the ferry. The boardwalk is pleasant to stroll along and then you can cut through to the other side of the Island where you are sure to spot many Koala as well as Kangaroo. The loop takes an hour or so. Ferries run across every 20 minutes dependant on the season. Worth taking fly spray as there an be mozzies after rain. Lots of them, especially on the far side of the Island.

83kerynm

A small island very relaxing ride in the ferry which is free if you do not take a car over. Great walking around the island looking for koalas. We had the whole beach on one side of the island to ourselves and spent several minutes watching the swans playing in the water

727peterm727

My headline says it all. Take a camera and you will soon be snapping koalas to your hearts content.Apart from that little else to recommend, no shops or cafes. Basic toilet facility near ferry wharf. Ferry runs regularly but leave your car in Paynesville to avoid ferry charges and walk.Its all about koalas and that is well worth the visit for most families.

79Roz

Raymond Island is one of those special places which will stay in your memory long after you visit- hop on the ferry- free to pedestrians- and step off to a slower pace - if you look carefully you can usually spot a koala in a tree within a couple of minutes. Turn right when you exit the ferry & enjoy the beauty of the boardwalk- carefully maintained & easy walking for anyone right along the water's edge.No shops - just peace & quiet & natural beauty.

937ericas

Easy 5 min trip on the ferry, free for bikes and pedestrians. Great for bike riding around and through scrub to see so many koalas.

747cherylw

We had a lovely morning bike riding around Raymond Island spotting Koalas. It's was nice coming over to the island on the ferry and not having to go too far before we spotted our first Koala, just in the park opposite the ferry ramp. The island is nice and flat and easy to get around.

Deviantdarl

Loved the Koalas, however remember to bring your insect repellent (The mosquitoes are man eaters). The Island has no shops so bring your own food and water as all the koala spotting can make you thirsty.