Public Toilets in Paynesville, VIC
4 toilet locations mapped in Paynesville — gateway to Raymond Island and its 250+ wild koalas. On the Gippsland Lakes with a free ferry, great fishing, and proper waterfront holiday vibes. Here's where to find a dunny before you catch that ferry.
Interactive Toilet Map
4 facilities available in Paynesville
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Where Are You?
Paynesville is a waterfront town on the Gippsland Lakes. Here's which dunny to head for depending on your activity.
Catching the Raymond Island ferry
Ferry Terminal toilets
Use the loo before boarding. No facilities on the 5-minute crossing.
The ferry terminal has good toilets on the Paynesville side. Use them before you board — the ferry ride is only 5 minutes but if you're doing the koala walk (2km return) there's only basic facilities on the island. Don't get caught short on the koala trail.
Boating / fishing
Foreshore or Slip Road Reserve
Near boat ramps and jetties. Two options along the waterfront.
The foreshore toilets are closest to the main public jetty. Slip Road Reserve is near the marina — better if you're launching a boat from that end. Both have parking nearby. Good to use before heading out on the lakes for the day.
Raymond Island koala walk
Ferry Terminal (Paynesville side)
Use BEFORE the ferry. Island facilities are basic.
The koala walking trail on Raymond Island is about 2km return through eucalyptus forest. There are basic toilets near the Raymond Island ferry landing, but the Paynesville side facilities are much better. Use them before you cross. You'll be looking up at koalas, not looking for a loo.
Swimming / foreshore relaxing
Foreshore toilets
The main waterfront area with swimming, playgrounds, and picnic spots.
The foreshore is Paynesville's main swimming and recreation area. Calm lake water (no surf), playground, picnic tables, and BBQs. The toilet block is well-maintained and accessible. Popular with families in summer.
Driving through to Lakes Entrance
Foreshore (quick stop)
Paynesville is a 15-minute detour off the Princes Highway between Bairnsdale and Lakes Entrance.
Most people rush past on the highway to Lakes Entrance. Paynesville is worth the 15-minute detour — use the foreshore loos, grab fish and chips, maybe catch the ferry to see koalas. Better value and less crowded than Lakes Entrance itself.
Shops and cafes
Foreshore toilets
The Esplanade shopping strip is right next to the foreshore facilities.
Paynesville's small shopping strip runs along The Esplanade near the foreshore. Fish and chip shops, cafes, and the IGA supermarket. The foreshore toilets are the closest public option — customer facilities at most cafes too.
Things to Do in Paynesville
The boating capital of the Gippsland Lakes. Population 4,000, swelling to 10,000+ in summer holidays. A free ferry to an island of wild koalas is the headline — but the fishing, boating, and lake lifestyle keep people coming back.
Raymond Island Koalas
Free 5-minute ferry to an island with 250+ wild koalas. Signposted 2km walking trail through eucalyptus forest. Almost guaranteed sightings. Bring binoculars.
Fishing (Gippsland Lakes)
Bream, flathead, whiting, and mulloway in the lakes. Hire a boat or fish from the jetty. The lakes are sheltered — good for families and small boats.
Boating & Sailing
Sheltered waters perfect for sailing, kayaking, and motorboats. Boat hire available. Explore the lakes, channels, and islands. Paynesville Yacht Club hosts regattas.
Foreshore Swimming
Calm lake swimming at the foreshore beach. No surf, no rips — safe for kids. Playground and BBQ facilities. Popular in summer but never as crowded as ocean beaches.
Kayak to Shaving Point
Paddle from Paynesville through McMillan Strait. See pelicans, sea eagles, and dolphins. Calm water suitable for beginners. Hire kayaks locally.
Fish & Chips on the Esplanade
Classic holiday town fish and chips. Multiple options on the waterfront strip. Grab a serve and eat watching boats come and go. Pelicans will try their luck.
Metung Day Trip
15 minutes to Metung — boutique waterfront village with restaurants and galleries. Combine both for a Gippsland Lakes day. Different vibe, same beautiful water.
Sunset Over the Lakes
The Paynesville foreshore faces west across Lake King. Spectacular sunsets over the water. Bring a picnic and a camera. Free entertainment every evening.
Where to Stay in Paynesville
Holiday parks, motels, and waterfront rentals. Peak season is Christmas/January school holidays — book months ahead. Quieter and better value than Lakes Entrance but with the same lake access.
Paynesville Waterfront
Holiday parks, motels, and Airbnbs along the Esplanade. Walk to ferry, shops, and foreshore. Waterfront cabins and caravan sites available. Book early for summer.
Nearest public dunny: Foreshore toilets (accessible, well-maintained, 24hr).
Raymond Island
Stay on the koala island itself. Holiday rentals and B&Bs. Very quiet — residential island with no shops. You'll need the ferry to get supplies. Wake up to koalas in your garden.
Nearest dunny: Raymond Island ferry landing (basic facilities).
Bairnsdale (15 min)
Regional centre with more accommodation range. Motels, hotels, and holiday parks. Supermarkets and services. Easy drive to Paynesville for day activities.
Nearest dunny: Bairnsdale facilities.
Fishing the Gippsland Lakes
Paynesville is one of the best fishing towns in Victoria. Sheltered lake waters mean you can fish year-round. Here's what to target and where the nearest toilet is.
| Species | Best Season | Where | Method | Nearest Toilet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bream | Year-round | Jetties, channels, weed beds | Bait or soft plastics | Foreshore (jetty fishing) |
| Flathead | Summer-Autumn | Sandy flats, channel edges | Soft plastics, bait | Slip Road (boat ramp) |
| Whiting | Summer | Shallow sand flats | Bait (pipis, worms) | Newlands Arm (boat ramp) |
| Mulloway | Autumn-Winter | Channels, deep water | Live bait, lures at night | Foreshore or Ferry terminal |
Victorian recreational fishing licence required. Boat hire available from Paynesville marina. If fishing from a boat for extended periods, plan your toilet stops — no facilities on the open lakes. Use the boat ramp toilets before heading out.
Getting to Paynesville
From Melbourne (3.5 hrs)
Take the Princes Freeway (M1) east through Traralgon and Sale to Bairnsdale, then follow signs south to Paynesville (15 min from Bairnsdale). About 290km total. Mostly freeway and dual carriageway.
The last section from Bairnsdale to Paynesville is a quiet country road through flat lake country.
From Lakes Entrance (30 min)
Via Princes Highway and Eagle Point Road. Paynesville is on the western side of the Gippsland Lakes, Lakes Entrance on the eastern side. Same lakes, different access points. Many visitors explore both.
Raymond Island Ferry Tips
Use the toilet before boarding. The ferry crossing is only 5 minutes, but the koala walk on the island is 2km return with only basic facilities at the landing.
Ferry runs every 30 minutes (more in summer). Free for pedestrians and vehicles. No booking needed. If driving, be aware the queue can be long on peak summer days — park in Paynesville and walk on instead.
All Toilet Facilities — Details
Full details on every public toilet in Paynesville. Accessibility, showers, and opening hours at a glance.
| Facility | Accessible | Showers | Water | Condition | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foreshore (Esplanade) | Yes | Outdoor | Yes | Well-maintained | 24 hours |
| Ferry Terminal | Yes | No | Yes | Good | Ferry hours |
| Slip Road Reserve | Limited | No | Yes | Good | 24 hours |
| Newlands Arm | No | No | No | Basic | Daylight hours |
All facilities maintained by East Gippsland Shire. Foreshore is the best option — well-maintained with accessible facilities and outdoor showers for rinsing after swimming. Report issues to council.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there toilets at the Raymond Island ferry?
Yes. There are public toilets at the Raymond Island ferry terminal on the Paynesville side. The ferry is free and runs every half hour (more frequently in summer). There are also toilets on Raymond Island near the ferry landing — useful before starting the koala walk.
Where are the main public toilets in Paynesville?
The main public toilets are on the Paynesville foreshore (Esplanade), near the boat ramp and jetty. This is the most central and well-maintained facility. Additional toilets at the Raymond Island ferry terminal, Slip Road Reserve, and Newlands Arm.
Are there toilets on Raymond Island?
Yes. There are basic toilet facilities on Raymond Island near the ferry landing. The koala walking trail is about 2km return — use the toilet before starting as there are no other facilities on the trail itself.
How many koalas are on Raymond Island?
Raymond Island has approximately 250+ wild koalas. They were introduced in the 1950s and have thrived. The koala trail is a signposted walking path — look up in the eucalyptus trees. You're almost guaranteed to spot several. The island is accessed by a free 5-minute ferry from Paynesville.
Is the Raymond Island ferry free?
Yes. The Raymond Island ferry is completely free for pedestrians and vehicles. It runs every 30 minutes (more often in peak summer). The crossing takes about 5 minutes. No booking required — just drive or walk on.
Are there accessible toilets in Paynesville?
The Paynesville foreshore toilets have accessible facilities. The ferry terminal toilets also have accessible access. Raymond Island facilities have limited accessibility due to unpaved paths on the koala trail.
How far is Paynesville from Melbourne?
Paynesville is approximately 290km from Melbourne, about 3.5 hours drive via the Princes Freeway (M1) through Sale and Bairnsdale. It's the main boating and fishing hub on the Gippsland Lakes.
Raymond Island Koala Walk Guide
Free ferry, 250+ wild koalas, signposted walking trail. Here's everything you need to know.
- Ferry: Free, runs every 30 min (more in summer). 5-minute crossing. Walk or drive on.
- Koala trail: Signposted 2km loop from the ferry landing. Flat, easy walking. Look UP — koalas sleep in the fork of eucalyptus trees.
- Best time: Early morning or late afternoon when koalas are more active. They sleep 18-20 hours per day.
- Sightings: Almost guaranteed. Most visitors see 5-10+ koalas on the walk. Stay quiet and move slowly.
- Toilets: Use Paynesville ferry terminal before crossing. Basic facility on Raymond Island at the landing.
- Duration: Allow 1-2 hours including ferry crossing both ways and the walk.
Nearby Areas
Paynesville is a waterfront town on the Gippsland Lakes, population approximately 4,000 (swelling to 10,000+ in summer). Known for Raymond Island koalas (free ferry, 250+ wild koalas), fishing, boating, and lake swimming. Gunaikurnai country.
Gippsland Lakes Circuit
Combine Paynesville with nearby Gippsland Lakes towns:
- Melbourne → Sale (2.5hr) → Bairnsdale (30min) → Paynesville (15min) → Metung (15min) → Lakes Entrance (15min)
All towns have public toilet facilities. Paynesville and Metung are the quieter, more premium alternatives to Lakes Entrance.