How to see koalas for free at Raymond Island (Victoria, Australia)
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Why should you go to Raymond Island in the beautiful East Gippsland region of Victoria? The biggest draw-card is the koalas! There are over 300 koalas on this small island and koala sightings are pretty much guaranteed.
There is no entrance fee to see the koalas which makes Raymond Island a great free and family friendly activity.
This post provides information for you to have a wonderful day on Raymond Island (although you may leave with a sore neck from looking up while koala spotting!).
What to expect
Raymond Island is a short ferry ride from Paynesville and is home to approximately 550 people. The island is only 6 km long by 2 km wide with a population of around 300 koalas makes koala spotting easy!
Flora and Fauna
If you are interested in orchids there are over 50 species on the island. Head to the Bairnsdale Field Naturalists website for information as I really wasn’t paying attention! I do actually love orchids but my eyes were on koalas!
While the koalas are a major component of Raymond Island’s identity, you will also be treated with plenty of bird-life and might be lucky enough to see echidnas, kangaroos and wallabies. Reptiles like the blue-tongue lizard can also be spotted but they are pretty quick to hide!
There is also a lovely boardwalk that is part of the Koala Trail Walk and a chance to wander along small beachy shores.
EXPLORE | Looking for more adventures in the Gippsland region? Check out the other Gippsland blog posts for inspiration.
Why are there so many koalas on Raymond Island?
Koalas were almost wiped out in the state of Victoria in the 1920s but 15 male and 26 female koalas were relocated from Phillip Island to Raymond Island in 1953.
However, the koala population thrived and started to place strain on the local environment. Now there is a management plan in place and koalas are relocated as needed to maintain sustainable populations.
How easy is it to see the koalas?
Have a look in the photo below to see just how easy it is to spot the koalas.
You will see them in the front yards of houses, in road-side trees, near the playground…they really are everywhere! Sightings are pretty much guaranteed on the nature walk. When I took these photos I was at ground level with a regular camera.
The 1.2 km Koala Trail Walk is a great way to see the island as it passes the common locations that the koalas reside. The walk starts at the main ferry arrival/departure point and is signed with bollards, rocks or signposts, so just keep an eye out for the markers. There is a map at the main information board near the playground, or purchase a book with map for $2 (book is a Landcare Fundraiser).
Some facts about koalas:
- A baby koala is called a joey.
- People in Australia generally do not call them Koala Bears. They are not bears.
- They are called “Drop Bears” in a joking way to “scare” tourists about the bears that might drop out of the trees above their heads. This originates from an old folklore story about a carnivorous koala that would attack people.
- Koalas have a diet of eucalyptus leaves which are poisonous to humans and other animals, but they have a special digesting organ to detoxify the chemicals.
- They sleep up to 18- 20 hours per day!
Cost
Raymond Island is free to visit, and passengers are free on the ferry. You will have to pay to take your vehicle on the car ferry.
Please support conservation efforts and purchase a guide for only $2 from the Information Shelter near the playground. Seriously, $2 for a day out at a peaceful island is a bargain. Even if you don’t want the book just give them a donation!
Also remember that Raymond Island is a residential space, where the residents take great pride in sharing the area with the wildlife.
Getting There
Getting to Paynesville / Raymond Island
Paynesville is around 3 hours 20 min from Melbourne and is an easy drive down the M1.
If you need Public Transport then catch the V/Line train to Bairnsdale. Then catch the V/Line bus to Paynesville. Information on train and bus services can be found on the V/Line website or call 1800 800 007.
Raymond Island also makes an excellent day trip from Lakes Entrance which is only a 40 minute drive away.
PLAN | Need car hire? Check out the deals at rentalcars.com.
Ferry service from Paynesville
Raymond Island is accessible via car ferry from Paynesville. The journey is only 200m and takes around 5 minutes to cross.
The ferry runs every 20 minutes and there is no need to book. Operating times are found on the East Gippsland Shire Council website and the departure location is well sign posted and easy to find. I would not worry about checking the times first, just turn up and with the flow!
We have never taken our car over to Raymond Island, just parked in Paynesville and walked around the island. There is plenty of parking around Gilsenan Reserve on Fleisher St and is only a short walk to the ferry.
Getting around Raymond Island
Walking
Walking is the most common way to explore Raymond Island and taking it slow is a great way to maximise the wildlife viewing. There is a combination of asphalt, dirt roads and smaller dirt tracks on the island.
Bicycle
You can take your bicycle or scooter on the Raymond Island ferry for free.
There are surrey bikes available to rent from Ride the Koala near the start of the Koala Trail . However they do require quite the effort to use and I prefer to walk or BYO bike.
Drive
If you drive just be mindful of wildlife, and make sure to stop lots to enjoy the views and gaze up into the trees. Remember you are driving around a residential island so don’t park in driveways even if you see the cutest koala ever!
How long to visit
Raymond Island can be a short visit with a walk around the Koala Trail, or you can make a day of it and bring a picnic and walk more of the island. One day is enough though to explore Raymond Island and Paynesville. But, it is a beautiful area to stay for a weekend…or longer.
Tips for visiting
- Leave the car at Paynesville and go by foot. The ferry is free and there are lovely walking tracks to explore.
- You don’t need a tour guide/group, it is very easy to visit on your own.
- Take a drink bottle.
- Bring mosquito repellent as they can be pretty bad at certain times of year.
- Public toilets are located at the playground where the ferry arrives/departs.
- Don’t forget to also look for birds, kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas, lizards, birds and snakes.
- As cute and fluffy as they are, koalas can still scratch and bite so do not touch or get too close. This applies to all the wildlife on the island..and in Australia…and in the world!
Tips for visiting with children
- Enjoying a day at Raymond Island is easy with children as they will no doubt enjoy looking for animals.
- There is a great playground next the ferry and there are often koalas in the trees right near the park
- The ferry ride from Paynesville is only 5 minutes which is fun and easy.
- There are gorgeous little beach areas with shallow water for children to have a splash. Head right when you leave the ferry and walk along the boardwalk until you reach the sandy areas.
What to bring
Usual items for outdoor activities – drink bottle, sturdy shoes, snacks and sun protection. Also bring insect repellent as the mosquitos can be bad.
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Places to eat
There are no food outlets on the island so consider bringing a snack and water.
A coffee van has recently popped up on Raymond Island but I am not sure about their operating hours. Be kind to the environment and bring your own travel mug.
Better yet, pack a picnic to enjoy at the main playground or find a picnic table along the boardwalk.
Otherwise head back to over to Paynesville where there are plenty of food and drink options.
PLAN | Paynesville is in the state of Victoria which has a varying climate. Read this post for the best time to visit.
Where to stay
There are many options for accommodation in Paynesville, and some options on Raymond Island.
I personally suggest staying at Wattle Point Waterfront Retreat if you want to stay somewhere quiet with lots of wildlife. Waterfront Retreat is 15 minutes drive from Paynesville and no shops nearby so stock up in Paynesville first.
Is Raymond Island worth visiting?
The Gippsland region of Victoria has a wealth of beautiful locations and Raymond Island and Paynesville are two of those locations. Not only will you see amazing Australian wildlife, but you can also enjoy lovely walks and views of clear blue water.
Raymond Island is definitely worth visiting and is great way to see wild koalas for free. My personal highlight is seeing the ridiculously cute baby koalas clinging to their mothers – makes my heart melt!
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