This article is also available in: 🇵🇱 PL | 🇵🇹 PT
Have you ever dreamt of seeing koalas in their natural habitat – not dozing behind glass in a zoo, but lazily stretching on eucalyptus branches right above your head? If so, Raymond Island is definitely a place that deserves a spot on your Australian bucket list!
Raymond Island is a small, peaceful island located in the Gippsland Lakes region in eastern Victoria, about 300 km from Melbourne. It’s one of those places where time seems to slow down. But don’t be fooled by its size or quiet atmosphere – this charming island has plenty to offer, and you definitely won’t get bored here!
You’ll feel the charm of Raymond Island — a real haven for wildlife lovers — even before the ferry sets off. From the nearby town of Paynesville, where the short ferry ride begins, you’ll spot black swans, pelicans, and other water birds gliding across the lake. Once on the island, you’ll find its true stars – around 200 wild koalas relaxing among the treetops!
The famous Koala Trail guarantees a close encounter with these furry residents, making it one of the best places in Australia to see koalas in the wild. And if you’re lucky, you might also come across kangaroos, colourful parrots, sulphur-crested cockatoos, laughing kookaburras, and even echidnas – those adorable, spiky creatures often mistaken for hedgehogs.
In this post, we’ll take you on a walk through Australia’s hidden gem – Raymond Island, the Island of Koalas. You’ll learn how to plan your visit, where to find these amazing animals, and why this peaceful island is a place you’ll never want to leave.
🐨 Raymond Island at a Glance
📍 Location: Victoria, southeastern coast of Australia
🗺️How to Get There: The easiest way is by car; alternatively, you can take a train and bus from Melbourne
💰 Entrance Fee: Free
🚗 Parking: Free parking available in Paynesville
⏰Best Time to Visit: Spring (September–November) and early autumn (March–April), ideally in the morning or late afternoon
Where Is Raymond Island?
Raymond Island is located in the state of Victoria, on Australia’s south-eastern coast. It lies within the Gippsland Lakes – the largest network of coastal lakes in Australia, known for its stunning scenery and rich wildlife.
Just across the narrow McMillan Strait from the small town of Paynesville, the island can be reached in just a few minutes by ferry – which, by the way, is free for pedestrians and cyclists!
The island sits around 300 km east of Melbourne, which makes it about a 3.5–4 hour drive from the city.
🧐 Fun fact: Raymond Island was named after William Odell Raymond, a judge from New South Wales who settled in the Gippsland Region in the 1840s.
How to Get to Raymond Island
🚗 By car
The easiest way to reach Raymond Island is by car. Australia’s road network is excellent, making it easy to get to most tourist destinations without any trouble.
In our case, Raymond Island was one of the stops on our road trip from Sydney to Melbourne, but most visitors come here from Victoria’s capital city.
The distance between Melbourne and Raymond Island is just under 300 km, and the drive usually takes around 3.5 to 4 hours. The route follows the M1 Highway east towards Sale, then continues on Bairnsdale – Paynesville Road all the way to Paynesville.
Once you arrive in Paynesville, you have two options:
🔸Park your car near the ferry terminal, or
🔸 Take the ferry with your car for a small fee.
Here’s the location of a free parking area, just a few minutes’ walk from the ferry terminal in Paynesville.
📢Important: If you’re planning to rent a car in Australia, keep in mind that they drive on the left-hand side of the road and most cars come with automatic transmission. Don’t forget to check if you need an international driving permit (in addition to your national driving licence)! And don’t forget to stay alert – Australia’s wildlife has a habit of showing up when you least expect it. 🦘
⛴️ Ferry from Paynesville to Raymond Island
📍 Route: Paynesville (Esplanade, near the intersection with Victoria Street) – Raymond Island (northern end of Fourth Avenue)
Once you arrive in Paynesville, head towards the ferry terminal. From there, a ferry connects the town with Raymond Island every 5–30 minutes, depending on the day of the week and time of day. The short crossing takes less than 5 minutes and is free for pedestrians and cyclists!
If you plan to take your vehicle across, a small fee applies:
| Mode of Transport | Price |
|---|---|
| On foot / Bicycle | Free |
| Motorcycle | $7 |
| Car or Van | $14 |
| Car/Van with Caravan | $22 |
If you’re travelling on foot or by bike, no ticket is needed. For vehicles, payment is made upon boarding.
💳 Note: Payments are electronic only (card or mobile wallet accepted)!
You can check the latest prices here.
💡Tip: The Koala Trail, Raymond Island’s main attraction, starts right next to the ferry terminal. You’ll spot the animals much more easily on foot, so we recommend leaving your car in Paynesville and exploring the island on foot. It’s an easy and relaxing walk, perfect for families and nature lovers. 👣
🚌 By public transport from Melbourne
You can reach Raymond Island from Melbourne by public transport, although the trip involves a transfer from train to bus on the way to Paynesville:
- Regional train (V/Line) from Southern Cross Station or Flinders Street Station in Melbourne to Bairnsdale – several departures daily, journey time about 4 hours.
- Bus no. 13 from Bairnsdale Railway Station (MacLeod St) to Paynesville (Raymond Island Ferry Terminal / Devon Road) – about 30 minutes.
- Once you arrive in Paynesville, it’s just a short walk to the ferry terminal, where you can catch the free ferry across to Raymond Island.
You can check the latest train and bus timetables on the official V/Line website.
What to See and Do on Raymond Island?
🐨 1. The Koala Trail
This is the island’s main attraction – a short, easy walking trail where you’re almost guaranteed to spot wild koalas in their natural habitat. A must-do!
🌅 2. The Waterfront
Right after stepping off the ferry, you’ll find a picturesque waterfront overlooking Paynesville – a perfect spot for a peaceful stroll and birdwatching.
🛶 3. Kayaking or Paddleboarding on Lake Victoria
Rent a kayak or paddleboard on the Paynesville side and paddle across to the island or around its shores – calm waters and stunning views are guaranteed.
With some luck, you might even spot dolphins swimming nearby! 🐬
🚲 4. Cycling around the island
Raymond Island is perfect for exploring by bike – quiet roads and landscapes full of native wildlife. You can easily cycle around the whole island in one to two hours.
🦆 5. Wildlife watching
Apart from koalas, the island is home to many birds, kangaroos, parrots and echidnas – especially if you venture down side paths or around the forests and wetlands.
🦘 6. Spotting kangaroos
While Raymond Island is famous for its koalas, it’s also home to other marsupials – including kangaroos, which you can sometimes spot in the most unexpected places: lounging in gardens or hiding in the shrubs.
If you want to increase your chances, head to the north-eastern part of the island. In these quieter areas, kangaroos can often be seen grazing in open fields, resting in the shade or near less-travelled paths.
Your best chances are at dawn or dusk. 🌅
🧐 Fun fact: The traditional owners of the Gippsland region, the GunaiKurnai people, have lived in harmony with the land and wildlife for thousands of years. In their language, the koala was called Goola – a word that reflects deep respect for animals and nature, which form an essential part of Aboriginal beliefs and storytelling.
Even today, GunaiKurnai culture reminds us of the bond between people, the land, and all living creatures. Learning about this heritage adds an extra layer of meaning to any visit to Raymond Island. 🐨✨
The Koala Trail at a Glance
- 📏 Trail length: approx. 1.2 km (loop)
- ⏱️ Walking time: 30–60 minutes (depending on how many koalas you stop to admire — it might take longer!)
- 🐱👤 Difficulty: very easy – the path is flat, partly paved, partly gravel
The Koala Trail is without a doubt the main attraction of Raymond Island and a dream come true for anyone who loves koalas. Walking this short loop trail almost guarantees an encounter with these adorable marsupials — in their natural habitat!
The easy 1.2 km walk begins right next to the ferry terminal and follows quiet streets lined with charming cottages, surrounded (of course) by eucalyptus trees.
It’s in the branches of these trees that a large population of wild koalas lives. These sleepy creatures spend most of their day either napping or munching on eucalyptus leaves, though sometimes they curiously peek at the tourists watching them from below.
Koalas aren’t shy, but if you come across one walking between trees or sitting on a low branch, it’s best to keep your distance. You’ll most likely spot them high up in the treetops — so a pair of binoculars or a zoom lens will come in handy, especially if you want to take photos.
Also, keep an eye out for people staring up at trees — there’s a good chance they’ve just spotted a koala!
During summer and weekends, the Koala Trail can get busy, but it still maintains a peaceful atmosphere (something the koalas surely appreciate!). As you stroll along the path, you might also see colorful parrots, kookaburras, kangaroos, and — if you’re lucky — even echidnas.
Although the Koala Trail is quite short, it’s worth spending at least an hour on it — especially if you enjoy quietly observing these gentle animals. Honestly, we could easily spend an entire day looking for koalas hidden among the trees.
We also recommend taking a short detour to the Raymond Island Nature Loop, a circular trail where we spotted plenty more koalas. We counted about 30 on both trails, and 43 in total during just a few hours on the island!
🪶 Good to know!
The Raymond Island Nature Loop is a relatively short circular trail (about 1.7 km) that you won’t find on most maps. 🤫
It winds through the Gippsland Lakes Reserve, where the landscape changes slightly — the houses disappear, the trees grow shorter, and it becomes easier to spot koalas resting lower down in the branches. You might also see kangaroos relaxing on the grass.
If you wander a little off the main trail, you’ll come across a small beach along the lakeshore. Look out for signposts to the Raymond Island Nature Loop near the part of the Koala Trail that borders the reserve.
🔍 How to Spot Koalas on Raymond Island – Practical Tips
Finding koalas on Raymond Island isn’t difficult — and not only along the famous Koala Trail! You might spot your first koala sitting in a tree near the ferry jetty just after arriving.
Of course, that doesn’t mean there’s a fluffy resident on every tree. 😉 Here are a few useful tips to help you spot koalas more easily on Raymond Island!
1. Look up — really high up.
Koalas spend most of their time in the treetops, especially in eucalyptus trees. Look for rounded shapes sitting still on the branches — they often resemble a little pillow hugging the trunk. Koalas love to rest in branch forks, so that’s where you’ll most likely find them.
2. Look for people gazing up.
Nothing gives away the presence of a koala quite like a small group of people staring at a single tree. 🤫
If you notice someone taking pictures of what looks like an “empty” branch — take a closer look! Even if there’s no koala, you might spot a kookaburra or another exotic bird.
3. Look for droppings and chewed leaves.
Beneath trees inhabited by koalas, you’ll often find small pellet-like droppings and scattered leaves — a clear sign that someone lives there. 🐾
4. Be patient — and slow down.
Don’t rush. Walk slowly and stop every few steps. Look up, scan the trunk and branches carefully. This isn’t a safari — it’s a bit more like wildlife detective work. 🧐
5. Bring binoculars or a zoom lens.
When you finally spot that dark, round shape in the treetops, you’ll want your wildlife-spotter toolkit ready to admire it up close. Some koalas rest almost within arm’s reach, but others prefer higher branches where younger, tastier leaves grow.
6. Early morning or late afternoon = best chance to see koalas moving.
Koalas sleep for most of the day, but during the morning and late afternoon, they become more active — climbing, feeding, or switching trees. That’s when you’re most likely to catch them in action!
7. One tree = one koala.
Koalas are solitary animals, so you usually won’t see more than one on the same tree. The only exception is a mother with her joey, who’ll stay close together for safety and warmth.
🧐Fun fact: As everyone knows, koalas feed mainly on eucalyptus leaves. However, that doesn’t mean you won’t see them resting in other types of trees! They sometimes use non-eucalyptus trees for shade and rest, especially those with thick branches located near their favorite food sources. Such trees provide perfect sleeping spots, offering both comfort and protection from the Australian sun — an essential part of a koala’s daily 20-hour nap routine. 😴🌳
Best Time to Visit Raymond Island
Raymond Island is worth visiting any time of year — after all, the koalas (the island’s main stars) aren’t going anywhere, even outside the tourist season. 🤫
The best time to visit is during spring (September–November) and early autumn (March–April). The weather is pleasant for walking through eucalyptus forests, and the koalas are often more active during these months.
In summer (December–February) it can get very hot, and the island attracts more tourists. If you’re visiting then, try to start your Koala Trail walk early in the morning, when it’s cooler and the koalas are a bit less sleepy. 🤭 Don’t forget to bring plenty of water!
In winter (June–August), Raymond Island becomes even more peaceful and serene. However, you should be prepared for lower temperatures and an increased chance of rain.
Rainy weather can make exploring a bit challenging — especially since spotting koalas among the treetops means spending a lot of time looking up.
Still, this quiet season has its charm: the misty air and gentle drizzle make the eucalyptus forest feel calm and intimate, while koalas curl up in their favorite trees, finding the perfect spots for long, cozy naps.
As you already know, koalas live on Raymond Island year-round and spend most of their time lazily perched in the trees — after all, they sleep up to 20 hours a day!
Your best chance to see them awake and moving is early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
What to Bring When Visiting Raymond Island
Raymond Island is a haven of peace and a true wildlife paradise. The absence of shops only adds to its sense of remoteness, so it’s important to bring (or buy beforehand in nearby Paynesville) everything you might need for your visit:
- Plenty of water and some snacks – whether you plan to spend the whole day on the island or just walk the Koala Trail, it’s always good to have something to drink and nibble on.
- Insect repellent – especially in summer, mosquitoes can be quite annoying.
- Hat or cap and sunscreen – the Australian sun is merciless! 🤫
- Camera with a zoom lens or a smartphone with good zoom – perfect for photographing koalas resting high up in the trees.
- Binoculars – useful not only for spotting koalas but also colourful parrots and kangaroos.
- Comfortable shoes – the trails on Raymond Island aren’t difficult, but good footwear makes the walk much more pleasant.
- Power bank – just in case your phone’s battery doesn’t keep up with all the photos you’ll be taking! 😅
How Did Koalas End Up on Raymond Island?
It may sound like a strange question – after all, koalas are native to the state of Victoria, so their presence here doesn’t seem unusual. But as it turns out, koalas are not endemic to Raymond Island. They were actually introduced there by humans.
In the 1950s, koala populations in some parts of Victoria – such as Phillip Island and French Island – grew too large, while eucalyptus leaves (their only food source) became increasingly scarce. Local authorities decided to relocate part of the population to the smaller and quieter Raymond Island.
The island was considered an ideal habitat for these new furry residents thanks to the absence of predators and, most importantly, plenty of eucalyptus trees – every koala’s dream come true! 🥰
Since then, the koala population on Raymond Island has steadily grown, becoming one of the easiest wild populations to observe in Australia – and the island’s true symbol.
🧐 Fun fact: Raymond Island is home to a dedicated group of volunteers who monitor the local koala population. Their work includes checking the animals’ health, protecting their habitats, and providing information to visitors.
Thanks to their efforts, the Raymond Island koalas are thriving! 🐨🌿
🧠 Fun facts about koalas
- 🐨 Koala to nie miś! Choć często są nazywane „misiami koala”, te urocze zwierzęta to torbacze – podobnie jak kangury, posiadają torbę, w której noszą swoje młode.
- 🍼 A newborn koala is only 2 cm long, hairless, and blind. It spends the next 6–7 months growing safely inside its mother’s pouch.
- 🌿 99% eucalyptus diet! Koalas feed mainly on the leaves of selected eucalyptus tree species (there are over 700 in total!). They’re not only picky eaters but also uniquely resistant to the toxins found in these leaves – which are poisonous to most mammals!
- 😴 Koalas sleep up to 18–20 hours a day. They have an extremely slow metabolism and conserve energy by spending most of the day napping.
- 🥱 Koalas are night owls – they’re most active during the night.
- 👃 Every koala has a unique nose pattern, just like a human fingerprint! Researchers can actually identify individuals based on their noses!
- 🧬 Southern koalas are larger than their northern cousins! They also have thicker fur to help them adapt to the cooler southern winters.
- 🧭 Koalas don’t naturally live all across Australia – they can only be found in the wild in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia.
- 📉 Koalas are a threatened species. The biggest dangers they face are habitat loss (they’ve already lost around 80% of their natural environment!), diseases such as chlamydia, and climate change. That’s why protecting them is so important – and places like Raymond Island play a crucial role in this effort.
What to see around Raymond Island
🏡 Paynesville (just across the channel)
Paynesville is a charming lakeside town filled with cosy cafés and small shops. It’s the perfect spot for a meal after your Raymond Island adventure. You can also rent kayaks or paddleboards there and explore the surrounding waterways.
🐚 Lakes Entrance
Lakes Entrance is a popular seaside town in Gippsland, known for its beautiful beaches and scenic lakes. It’s great for relaxing, taking a boat cruise, fishing, or strolling along the long wooden footbridge that stretches out toward the ocean. An ideal stop on your way to or from Raymond Island.
🌿 Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park
Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park is a vast protected natural area stretching along the coast between the lakes and the ocean. It offers wild beaches, scenic bays, walking trails, and excellent birdwatching opportunities. A true paradise for those seeking peace, nature, and off-the-beaten-path adventures.
🏝️ Ninety Mile Beach
Ninety Mile Beach is one of the longest uninterrupted beaches in the world, stretching for about 150 km along the Gippsland coast! It’s famous for its wide golden sand and wild shoreline. Perfect for long walks, ocean swims, or quiet moments away from the crowds – you’ll easily find a stretch of sand all to yourself.
🦇 Buchan Caves
Buchan Caves are a spectacular limestone cave system in the Gippsland region, known for their stunning stalactites and stalagmites. You can join a guided tour to explore the underground chambers filled with natural rock sculptures.
Is Raymond Island Worth Visiting?
Although Raymond Island isn’t one of the most famous tourist spots in Australia and can be easily overlooked, in our opinion it’s an absolute must-see —especially if it’s your first visit to the Land Down Under and you’re a nature lover. The island – or rather its furry residents – will absolutely charm you and stay in your memory for a long time.
It’s also a perfect destination for families with children – after all, no little explorer can resist the cuteness of a koala, and spotting them among the trees is great fun for travelers of all ages. 🤭
We’ll never forget the moment we saw our very first koala in its natural habitat. And not just one – we actually spotted over 40 of these adorable marsupials! Raymond Island became one of our favorite places in Australia, and we wholeheartedly recommend visiting it! 🐨💚
If you dream of discovering a different side of Australia – peaceful, authentic, and full of close encounters with wildlife – Raymond Island will surely steal your heart.
It’s one of those places you’ll want to return to… even if only in your memories. 💚
And now… it’s time for a koala safari! 🐨
Keep your eyes open for fluffy ears, round silhouettes, and sleepy faces – every koala you find feels like a little victory! 😄
Good luck and happy koala spotting!
And if you do find them, let us know in the comments – how many koalas did you manage to spot? 👀💚
Leave a Reply