Paynesville, Victoria, Australia
Took nearly an hour to clean up, load the car, return my key and say goodbye to this little peaceful corner of The Lakes. The dog and the chooks didn’t feel it necessary to say good bye, other visitors have arrived for the weekend and they must be investigated.
Plan was to call into Paynesville on the way home. It was 30km to Bairnsdale before I turned south and 18km further to Paynesville. The Mitchell River flowed along on my left and farmland on my right. Plenty of cars coming into Bairnsdale for weekend activities.
Turned off to visit Eagle Point. A small township here and it is where the Mitchell River enters Lake King. From a lookout high on a bluff, I had a good view of the river and across to the lakes. Boating and fishing are certainly the main activities in this area. Also a safe place for water birds to feed and breed. Reached the end of the peninsula at Paynesville. Much smaller than I remembered. Maybe more boats than people. I am now looking out over Lake Victoria. Just 200 metres from Paynesville is Raymond Island accessed by a vehicle ferry that takes 4-5 minutes to cross.
Pedestrians, pets and bikes travel for free.
My fathers cousin and his wife retired here many years ago and I can remember dad saying what a lovely place it was. Not only that, but I wanted to see if I could locate a koala or two as there is a large wild colony here. The island is mostly residential but with lots of trees. Narrow streets, some made, some unmade are lined by homes. Some standard looking, some quirky, some very desirable, all peaceful.
I did have a map, torn out of a magazine, which showed the most likely area to see a koala. But when I came to refer to it after I had walked about 200 metres, I found the print so small, I couldn’t read the street names. Useless!!! So what to do? Look for a large cluster of gum trees. About 20 minutes later my neck was aching from looking up continually into the top of gumtrees.
I came to a reserve with seats. Thank goodness, I haven’t walked this far for a long time. I saw a lady staring straight ahead at a tree trunk. I walked up to her and said oh, you’ve found one. This is my 28th she announced. Well she must have eagle eyes. Photo taken, I moved on and quickly found 2 more. Of course we have all seen them, but to actually find them living freely in the bush, is something else.
Well I would have enjoyed wandering around longer but I still had to find my way back to the ferry and then hit the road running to get back to Melbourne before dark. Must say the drive was easier on the way back. Still made a few stops just to be able to take my eyes off the road for a while.
I am thankful to Myra for looking after the fur babies so I could have these days away. It has done me good. I have really enjoyed looking for photo opportunities and finding so many waiting to be seen.
Michele
2023-05-14
Great photos Laurel. Pleased to hear you have enjoyed the break away. Safe travels home xx
Glenda
2023-05-14
Love Paynesville, Mum,Dad,Rob & I spent a couple of holidays at Eagle Point when Brent was a baby. Dad took the boat so we boated up all the rivers it was great. You have had a lovely time away, glad it has done you good, talk soon ❤️
Gayle Bertram
2023-05-14
So please you made the trip the photos are great
Maureen
2023-05-14
Looks like another lovely day, made all the better by the great weather. So pleased you are safely home, after your sight seeing. Great photos again, great to see you caught up with lots of koalas. Raymond Island is certainly the place to see them foaming freely.. your blog has been great again, we really look forward to it, and great your fur babies are well looked after for you. Looking forward to catching up soon. xxxxx
Colleen O’Leary
2023-05-14
Laurel Your photos are really good and the koalas amazing - it’s hard to see them in trees and you managed to photograph them as well Loved your travel blog Waiting for the next one x
Chris
2023-05-14
Glad you enjoyed your “getaway “ . Loved all the photos. Hope you are safely home now . Bet you had a big welcome home !!!.
Jan
2023-05-14
Wow, that was amazing, love all the photos and your blogs. So glad you enjoyed your holiday. Catch up with you and Glenda soon. Safe trip home.