Last Updated: October 2026

Koalas have to be among Australia’s cutest animals. With their fluffy ears, big noses and adorable sleepy faces, it’s no wonder people travel from all over the world hoping to see one. And for me, there’s nothing better than spotting these beautiful animals in the wild, where they belong!

One of the best places to see wild koalas in Victoria is Raymond Island, a small, peaceful island in the Gippsland Lakes, just a short ferry ride from Paynesville. It’s home to a thriving koala population, and the chances of spotting one relaxing in the eucalyptus trees are excellent.

Our visit to Raymond Island was particularly special because it was our first getaway after the COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020.

Earlier that year, devastating bushfires had swept through parts of East Gippsland, destroying vast areas of bushland and taking a terrible toll on native wildlife. Thankfully, Raymond Island escaped the fires, and we’d been looking forward to visiting once travel became possible again.

Then came the lockdowns! After months stuck at home, I practically jumped out of bed when Victoria finally allowed overnight travel again. Within minutes, I’d booked our long-weekend escape to East Gippsland. And honestly, after everything that had happened that year, a peaceful island full of wild koalas was exactly what we needed!

Where is Raymond Island? 

Raymond Island is just off the coast at Paynesville, a small town in East Gippsland. Paynesville is an easy 3 hours and 30 minutes drive from Melbourne down the Princes Highway (M1). Along the way, there are lots of small towns where you can stop for a coffee and stretch your legs. 

How to Get to Raymond Island

Getting to Raymond Island is easy! First, make your way to the waterfront town of Paynesville, approximately 3½ to 4 hours’ drive from Melbourne.

If you’re travelling without a car, you can catch a V/Line train from Melbourne’s Southern Cross Station to Bairnsdale, followed by a connecting coach to Paynesville. Check the V/Line website for current timetables and fares.

Once in Paynesville, it’s just a short ferry ride across to Raymond Island. The crossing takes approximately four minutes, so blink and you might miss it!

The best part? The ferry is completely free for pedestrians and cyclists! We recommend leaving your car in Paynesville and exploring the island on foot, especially if you’re visiting to walk the Koala Trail.

The ferry generally operates every 20 minutes throughout the day, with services running into the evening. If you prefer to take your car, the return fare is currently $18 for a standard vehicle (2026).

For the latest ferry timetable, fares and service updates, visit the East Gippsland Shire Council website.

What to do on Raymond Island? 

The Koala trail 

Raymond Island has long been home to hundreds of wild koalas, making it one of the best places in Victoria to see these adorable animals in their natural habitat.

The best way to see them on the island is to walk the well-marked koala trail. This trail is only 1.2 kilometres long and is an easy walk for the whole family. You can walk it, bike it or hire one of the “ride a koala” surrey bikes available for hire at the start of the walk. 

The walk starts at the park directly across from where you exit the ferry. You will find a big information board with a map and it is normally possible to purchase a small booklet containing a map, information about the koalas, the island and all the other animal species on the island. The booklet costs $2 which goes directly towards helping the koalas. During the Covid 19 restrictions, the booklets were not available. However, you can still donate to help the koalas. 

The trail does not take long to walk and wanders around a few streets where koalas are known to live. You’ll see gumtrees wherever you look and if you look closely you’ll spot koalas in some of them. Bear in mind that sometimes they can be quite high up in the trees, so take your time and have a good look!

The best area to see them is the reserve adjacent to Twelfth Avenue. There you’ll find many trees and many koalas! Some of them may even be on the lower branches, giving you a good photo opportunity.

Remember, koalas sleep 18 hours a day! So you may see a lot of sleepy koalas but eventually, you may come across one who is awake and eating some Eucalyptus leaves. 

Tip: Before visiting, check out the free Raymond Island Koala Trail Discovery App, which offers audio tours and fascinating information about the island’s koalas and conservation efforts.

Love seeing koalas in the wild? Raymond Island isn’t the only place to spot these adorable animals! If you’re heading north, check out our guide to the best places to see wild koalas in Queensland, including some of our favourite spots for unforgettable wildlife encounters.

It’s not just about the koalas! 

Once you are done with the trail, don’t forget to explore the rest of the island! You’ll need bikes or a car to do this but the inside of the island is home to even more wildlife! We spotted huge groups of kangaroos, wallabies and many types of birds. You may even spot an echidna! 

Follow Centre Road to cut across the island and then go around exploring the northern beaches which are so peaceful with almost no-one in sight. The water is also perfect for taking a kayak out if you have one. 

The boardwalk

There’s a small boardwalk starting a few meters to the right of where you exit the ferry. This boardwalk follows the waterfront and is a lovely way to enjoy some water views. Once again, it doesn’t take long and can easily be done by the whole family. If you enjoy the views, you can keep walking for a while even after the boardwalk finishes. However, this isn’t easy for people with prams and small children.

If you happen to be there for sunset, the water views at that time are stunning. 

Best Time to Visit Raymond Island

Raymond Island is a fantastic year-round destination, with opportunities to spot wild koalas in every season.

Spring and autumn are particularly lovely, with mild temperatures ideal for walking the Koala Trail. Summer can be hot, so we’d recommend visiting early in the morning, while winter offers cooler weather and a peaceful atmosphere.

For the best wildlife experience, allow plenty of time to explore, look carefully into the eucalyptus trees and enjoy the island at a relaxed pace.

Things to know before visiting Raymond Island

There are no shops on the island. So, bring your lunch, snacks, water and everything you need with you.

The island might be heaven for koalas but it is heaven for mosquitoes too. Be sure to bring some insect repellent and use it! They are terrible, even in winter and cold weather. I didn’t spray the first day thinking it was too cold for them and they bit me through my pants as I tried to stand still and photograph the koalas! 

You only need to take your car if you want to explore the interior of the island and don’t want to bike it. If you only want to visit the koala trail and the main settlement area, leave your car in Paynesville. There are many parking spots there that are walking distance from the ferry terminal. 

There are public toilets located at the playground across from where the ferry docks.

Koalas are cute, yes, but they are wild and they will scratch and bite! So don’t attempt to touch them. Observe them from a safe distance and don’t shove your selfie stick in their face either; they don’t like that very much!

Same with the kangaroos on the island. Some of the males are huge and will become aggressive if you venture too close. In fact, don’t get too close to any of our wildlife. They like their personal space, just like we do.

How long to stay on the island? 

You can easily visit the island for the day which is what most people do. Within a few hours, you can walk the trail, the boardwalk and ride/drive around the island, finishing with a picnic at one of the island’s many picnic areas. 

However, there are plenty of holiday houses to rent on the island and if you fancy a little relaxation as well, then, by all means, stay longer! We stayed for two nights and we could easily have stayed longer. We enjoyed the peacefulness and wildlife very much. If you choose that option, stock up with food and drinks on the mainland as there are no shops on the island.

Where to Stay on Raymond Island and in Paynesville

Raymond Island has several lovely Airbnbs and holiday rentals, perfect if you want to enjoy the island’s peaceful atmosphere and wildlife a little longer. One particularly charming option is Swan Cove on Raymond Island, which offers self-contained cottages surrounded by nature, with beautiful waterfront views and plenty of opportunities to spot koalas and other wildlife.

However, if you’d prefer easy access to shops, cafés and restaurants, we’d recommend staying in nearby Paynesville. The ferry crossing is so quick that visiting Raymond Island couldn’t be easier!

Two great accommodation options in Paynesville are:

• Mariners Cove Motel & Apartments – Comfortable waterfront rooms and self-contained apartments, conveniently located opposite the Raymond Island ferry.
• Captains Cove Waterfront Apartments – Spacious waterfront apartments overlooking the canals, ideal for couples or families wanting a relaxing stay with beautiful views.

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