Raymond Island
VIC 3880 • Victoria
About Raymond Island
Raymond Island is a small island town situated in the Gippsland Lakes in eastern Victoria, approximately 293 kilometres east of Melbourne and 18 kilometres south-east of Bairnsdale, within the Shire of East Gippsland. The island is roughly 6 kilometres long and 2 kilometres wide, and is separated from the town of Paynesville by a short 200-metre stretch of water, with residents relying on a 24-hour vehicle and passenger ferry for access to the mainland. With a population of around 589, Raymond Island offers a uniquely self-contained island lifestyle within easy reach of Bairnsdale's services.
Raymond Island is best known for its thriving koala population, originally introduced to the island in 1953, which has grown into one of Victoria's most accessible wild koala habitats. Visitors and residents can spot koalas in the wild on walking trails throughout the island's bushland reserves. The community has a relaxed, waterside character with a mix of permanent residents and holiday home owners who are drawn to the quiet waterways of the Gippsland Lakes for boating, fishing, and birdwatching. The ferry connection to Paynesville keeps the island community linked to shops, schools, and services on the mainland.
Raymond Island falls under postcode 3880 and is governed by the local council Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Gippsland South (Eastern Victoria) electorate.
Location
Transport & Commute
Nearest Train Stations
Bus Services
- V/Line coach connections — Bairnsdale Approx 20-25 min by ferry and road
Commute to Melbourne CBD
🛣️ Ferry operates 24/7 between Raymond Island and Paynesville; Great Alpine Road provides main road corridor west
No shops or major services on the island; ferry to Paynesville needed for most errands, car essential
Supermarkets Nearby
No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.
Schools
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31-47 Ashley Street