Raymond Island
Raymond Island
4.5
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Duration: 1-2 hours
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- EllNorwich, United Kingdom20 contributionsWorth a visit for Koala trail!Worth a visit if in the area, especially for the Koala trail. Regular ferry to and from the island. Free if on foot, charge if in vehicles. Best to visit on foot if going for Koala trail. Advise to bring food, drink and mosquito repellent. No shops or cafes on the island. There is a toilet just by the ferry port. Can hire a bike around the island but best way to see is on foot. We saw quite a few koalas up in the trees, have to look carefully.Visited March 2023Travelled with familyWritten 27 March 2023
- TravellerMelbourne, Australia15,759 contributionsWe saw dozens of Koalas and Black SwansMy wife and I visited this place during our recent holiday in Lakes Entrance, where we stayed in an apartment for 5 nights at The Esplanade Resort and Spa. Raymond Island, well-known for its large koala population, is only 200m off the coast, across from the town of Paynesville. The Raymond Island ferry between Paynesville and Raymond Island departs every 20 minutes for most of the day, and every half hour in the evenings. The best koala spotting is on the 1.2km Koala Trail which starts near the ferry arrival point in Raymond Island. The Koala Trail leads us among the gum trees through residential streets, along a wooded area, and return along a boardwalk. Raymond Island is also a place for bird watching, with many different local and migratory birds that frequent Raymond Island. Birds that can spotted in Raymond Island include Swift Parrot, the Great Cormorant, Little Raven, Black Swan, Maned Duck, Eurasian Coot (dark grey with a white bill and white forehead shield), Australian Pelican, Tree Martin (small, swallow-like bird), Magpie and Gray Teal (a common duck in many waterways, forming enormous flocks). We saw around 20 Koalas, including one which had a baby Joey in its pouch. We also saw a few dozen Black Swans and cygnets during our walk on various trails.Visited April 2023Written 11 April 2023
- Heather CGippsland, Australia15 contributionsMust do for seeing Koalas if you are visiting the area of Paynesville to Lakes EntranceI was lucky enough to live on the Island for one year, the ferry ride for foot passengers is free, cars cost $13. The short ferry crossing takes about 5 minutes, ferry runs on a half hour turn around time, finishing at 11pm. Best to go over on foot as you will need to walk around and peer up into trees to see Koalas, you may encounter some on the ground moving to another tree. Don't touch them they are wild. Lots of kangaroos to see also as well as echidnas. Take mosquito spray, lots of mozzies there due to many areas of stagnant water.Visited January 2023Travelled soloWritten 23 July 2023
- Rosieg3087 contributionsBeautiful placeRaymond is a must visit for families and it would be worth a day trip to Paynesville and Raymond Island. The free ferry goes back and forth every 20 minutes and arrives straight at an area with toilets and large playground. We were lucky enough to see a Koala in a tree right beside the wharf. Beautiful area.Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 3 October 2023
- christophe sLyon, France162 contributionsBest place to see KoalasThis is the best place if you want to see koalas. Small island, can be done in half a day. Ferry to go to the Island by var. But we have done it walking, this would be my advise. Let you car and take the ferry as pedestrian (free).Visited September 2023Travelled with familyWritten 29 October 2023
- eudeleAuckland Central, New Zealand227 contributionsLots of koalas!On a road trip in South East Australia coast and looking everywhere for koalas in the bush? We have and saw none. But on seeing advice about seeing them on Raymond Island at Paynesville we did a detour to see. We got the free ferry for the five minutes crossing to the island. Walked around the Koala Trail for about an hour and saw 9 koalas up in the trees! Got some nice pictures. Very worth the drive. They were mostly sleeping in the late morning sun. Do this if you can!Visited November 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 14 November 2023
- Barbara V2 contributionsHighly recommend this gem of an islandOh my goodness what an amazing gem this was to experience. Little ferry ride over, free for pedestrians with pushbikes and a small charge if you take your car over. Ferry only takes around 5min. Once there follow Koala trail to find Koalas but in all honesty you see them everywhere. It was amazing we even got to see baby swans. I would highly recommend taking your bikes over, we walked and being a hot day did not get to see the whole island also we didn’t know there were no shops so make sure you take food, water etc.Visited December 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 4 December 2023
- RobyncakesMelbourne, Australia242 contributionsAmazing!Amazing place, the ferry across is free if you are on foot, the departures are every 20 mins it only takes a few minutes to get to the other side. There is no shops on the island so bring mozzie repellent and any drinks etc you want. You can take a car or bike on the ferry for a cost. We bought a dog on a leash. We saw over 20 koalas on the koala walk. Definitely recommend walking it rather than a bike or car. You need your look carefully to find some of the koalas. Totally worth it!!Visited December 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 26 December 2023
- ElizaSydney, Australia39 contributionsKoalas are everywhereWe parked our car to the ferry pier and took the ferry to Raymond Island. It is free of charge for passengers. The ferry only took 2 minutes and it offered continuous service during peak hours. We could easily spot koalas on the trees. Some were sleeping while some looked like very curious about the visitors,Visited January 2024Travelled with familyWritten 5 January 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
392 reviews
Excellent
251
Very good
108
Average
29
Poor
4
Terrible
0
Eliza
Sydney, Australia39 contributions
Jan 2024 • Family
We parked our car to the ferry pier and took the ferry to Raymond Island. It is free of charge for passengers. The ferry only took 2 minutes and it offered continuous service during peak hours. We could easily spot koalas on the trees. Some were sleeping while some looked like very curious about the visitors,
Written 5 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shep
Cardiff, UK7 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
2nd time and just as good 👍🏼 Definitely worth taking the time out to visit, 1st time 5yrs ago, then this year, taken my mother to visit family in Metung, which isn't far away. Koalas up in the trees, Rozallas everywhere, a must for any Gippsland visitor ❤️🇦🇺🐨
Written 30 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robyncakes
Melbourne, Australia242 contributions
Dec 2023 • Friends
Amazing place, the ferry across is free if you are on foot, the departures are every 20 mins it only takes a few minutes to get to the other side. There is no shops on the island so bring mozzie repellent and any drinks etc you want. You can take a car or bike on the ferry for a cost. We bought a dog on a leash. We saw over 20 koalas on the koala walk. Definitely recommend walking it rather than a bike or car. You need your look carefully to find some of the koalas.
Totally worth it!!
Totally worth it!!
Written 26 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barbara V
2 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
Oh my goodness what an amazing gem this was to experience. Little ferry ride over, free for pedestrians with pushbikes and a small charge if you take your car over. Ferry only takes around 5min. Once there follow Koala trail to find Koalas but in all honesty you see them everywhere. It was amazing we even got to see baby swans. I would highly recommend taking your bikes over, we walked and being a hot day did not get to see the whole island also we didn’t know there were no shops so make sure you take food, water etc.
Written 5 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
eudele
Auckland Central, New Zealand227 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
On a road trip in South East Australia coast and looking everywhere for koalas in the bush? We have and saw none. But on seeing advice about seeing them on Raymond Island at Paynesville we did a detour to see. We got the free ferry for the five minutes crossing to the island. Walked around the Koala Trail for about an hour and saw 9 koalas up in the trees! Got some nice pictures. Very worth the drive. They were mostly sleeping in the late morning sun. Do this if you can!
Written 15 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
76mariadelmard
London, UK20 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
Definitely worth a trip . Seeing koalas and kangaroos living amongst people in a small island was amazing. It was a lovely walk and managed to see at least 12 koalas and group of kangaroos. Some different birds too.
Ferry crossing is extremely easy .
We loved!
Ferry crossing is extremely easy .
We loved!
Written 30 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
christophe s
Lyon, France162 contributions
Sept 2023 • Family
This is the best place if you want to see koalas. Small island, can be done in half a day. Ferry to go to the Island by var. But we have done it walking, this would be my advise. Let you car and take the ferry as pedestrian (free).
Written 30 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rosieg30
Victoria, Australia87 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Raymond is a must visit for families and it would be worth a day trip to Paynesville and Raymond Island. The free ferry goes back and forth every 20 minutes and arrives straight at an area with toilets and large playground. We were lucky enough to see a Koala in a tree right beside the wharf. Beautiful area.
Written 4 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Heather H
Melbourne, Australia4 contributions
Sept 2022 • Couples
Take aerogard the mossies are vicious. The path is well signed and the koalas are plentiful. So many to sight it makes your neck ache lol
Written 21 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Heather C
Gippsland, Australia15 contributions
Jan 2023 • Solo
I was lucky enough to live on the Island for one year, the ferry ride for foot passengers is free, cars cost $13. The short ferry crossing takes about 5 minutes, ferry runs on a half hour turn around time, finishing at 11pm. Best to go over on foot as you will need to walk around and peer up into trees to see Koalas, you may encounter some on the ground moving to another tree. Don't touch them they are wild. Lots of kangaroos to see also as well as echidnas. Take mosquito spray, lots of mozzies there due to many areas of stagnant water.
Written 23 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fourandahalf
Sydney, Australia116 contributions
Is there a season when you are more likely to see baby Koalas? Have seen lots of adults, but no babies! thanks.
Is there a best time of year to visit?
Heather C
Gippsland, Australia15 contributions
Births are usually between November and February, but babies will be very small for quite a while, and stay in their mothers pouch for about six months- therefore you just need to be patient and look hard- they are often hard to see. I used to live on Raymond Island and a nice walk around would usually see moms and babies hitching a ride.
Pam C
1 contribution
How much are multi trip passs for the Raymond island Ferry. Does anyone know?
Gary M
Paynesville, Australia94 contributions
Hi Pam, the ferry is free for foot passengers and people with bikes. The car and if towing, trailer, boat or caravan, is $13.00 return. If you plan to stay on the island for an extended time, you can purchase an annual pass for around $300.00. You can also purchase a multi trip pass which gives you 10 trips. It costs the same as 10 return fares, so would be $130.00. Hope this helps.
YKK
Melbourne, Australia11 contributions
Hello, planning to visit the island end of January. What time of the day is best to see Koalas in action? Morning, Afternoon or Evening?
Also how long is the Koala Walk?
Thanks
Kirsten M
Raymond Island, Australia6 contributions
We live on the Island and you can see Koalas anytime, but they are most active early morning or evening. The Koala trail is 1.2km and concludes with a lovely walk along the board walk.
JennGodfrey
Perth, Australia1 contribution
We have 3 Border Collies on holiday with us. Is it alright to bring them to the island?
HeyJude49
Victoria, Australia147 contributions
As has already been stated, dogs ate fine as long as they are on a lead. This also applies to the ferry as well. If you go walking to see the koalas etc, you should leave the dogs at home.
Can I taken my small dog in the car whilst driving around and exploring? She is a quiet dog ... Ann :-)
Glenn W
Melbourne, Australia27 contributions
No problem Ann, but must be on a leash if out of the car. Enjoy!!
ilovemoggies
Adelaide, Australia1 contribution
Can I take my car on the ferry to Raymond Island?
Candy-Will S
Melbourne, Australia148 contributions
Yes you can. I would suggest it too because you can go see other places in a quicker amount of time. There is a quiet beach on the other side and although you can get to it via walking or with a bike it is not really that close to where the Ferry is. Also although there are quite a few Koalas near the town we found heaps more and a lot more other animals by going deeper into the island. It was well worth the $12 fee to take the truck across.
Hello, does the ferry run every day over Easter? Thanks
Alex S
Canberra, Australia223 contributions
I believe so as it needs to service the residents who live on the islands
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Claim your listingRAYMOND ISLAND: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Raymond Island
- Hotels near Raymond Island:
- (0.76 mi) Captains Cove Waterfront Apartments
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- (0.32 mi) This beautifully presented holiday home has it all
- (0.37 mi) The Abbey
- (0.31 mi) Quaint little 3 bedroom holiday accommodation close to the water
- Restaurants near Raymond Island:
- (0.49 mi) SARDINE eatery + bar
- (0.47 mi) Pier 70
- (0.48 mi) Waterview Bakery
- (0.50 mi) Alma's
- (0.51 mi) Ferry Cafe
- Attractions near Raymond Island:
- (0.38 mi) Raymond Island Ferry
- (0.50 mi) Raymond Island Ferry
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- (0.78 mi) Bulls Cruisers
- (0.67 mi) H2O Tours & Adventures