The Swan Cove Experience Your journey begins with an enchanted ferry ride across to Raymond Island, followed by a peaceful drive along quiet gravel roads. Tucked just metres from the water’s edge, Swan Cove welcomes you with storybook charm and a deep sense of calm. The two handcrafted, two-storey cottages — built in the 1980s by a skilled German artisan — sit along a winding bush driveway, nestled beside the main house and surrounded by towering gums and Old Man Banksias. From here, the lake glimmers, and a safe, sandy beach invites you to wander barefoot or float gently into the day. Evoking the cosy spirit of a Scottish seaside cottage with the sunny ease of the French Riviera, each space has been thoughtfully renovated with sustainability in mind — from cork kitchen floors to solar power, with no powerlines or fences to interrupt the natural flow of the land. Set on ten wild, tranquil acres, Swan Cove is home to koalas, echidnas, sea eagles, tawny frogmouths, cheeky parrots and curious kangaroos. Kayaks and bikes are available for guests to explore the island and lakes at their own pace. For those seeking a deeper retreat, yoga classes, meditation, seasonal cooking, and nutrition consultations are also available — offering nourishment for both body and spirit.

I’m a yoga teacher, nutritionist, and proud mother of three incredible humans. My partner Martin and I call Swan Cove home, where we nurture a unique vegetable and chook garden housed in an enclosed octagon. Martin loves sharing his deep knowledge of the Gippsland Lakes with our guests, while I run yoga classes at the RSL Hall in nearby Paynesville. I’ve always dreamed of a Tudor-style home with a seaside garden—and now, the entire Gippsland Lakes is our backyard! Every day here is an adventure: foraging for mushrooms in autumn, paddling alongside dolphins, or helping someone whose boat has capsized on the lake. We cherish the contrasts of this place—the wild, windswept waters and the serene, sunlit calm. Immersed in nature’s beauty, we find true freedom and invite our guests to experience it too.

Raymond Island is located 200m across the McMillan Strait from Paynesville, Victoria's boating capital and is in the centre of Australia's largest lake system, with canals carving their way through town, offering unique waterside locations. The island offers a truly unique Australian experience with its 1.2km koala trail starting at the Ferry park. Raymond Island is known for its large koala population and is also home to over 60 bird species and is the only place in the world where a particular unique native orchid grows. Fish for black bream or mullet, water ski, jet ski, windsurf, kayak or just swim. Watch out for the dolphins! Stroll along the boardwalk or stop for a bite to eat at the many eateries including waterfront dining. Explore the Mitchell River silt jetties as they stretch for 8km into Lake King, the longest in the world!