Rottnest Island
Wadjemup
A car-free island 19 km offshore from Perth, with 63 white-sand bays, snorkelling wrecks and the quokka, the 'world's happiest animal', found everywhere. Renting a bicycle to ride around the island is the classic way to visit.
Rottnest Island (Aboriginal name Wadjemup) lies in the Indian Ocean about 19 km west of Fremantle. It is 11 km long and 4.5 km wide. In 1696, Dutch navigators mistook the island's quokkas for large rats and named it 'Rat's Nest Island'. There are no private cars on the island. Visitors get around by bicycle (ferry companies offer combined tickets at about 30–40 AUD per day, or you can rent on the island), by the Island Explorer circular bus (about 20 AUD for unlimited rides), or on foot. Highlights include about 10,000 quokkas, which can be seen during the day around the shops in the main settlement of Thomson Bay and in the shade of trees. Their natural 'smiling face' makes them popular for selfies, but touching and feeding them is strictly forbidden, with fines of 150 AUD or more. There are 63 beaches and 20 bays. The Basin (natural rock pools and the top choice for snorkelling), Pinky Beach (beside the lighthouse, where Pinky's Beach Club serves drinks for sunset), Little Salmon Bay (snorkelling marker line) and Parakeet Bay are the most popular. The West End lookout on the western tip offers views of New Zealand fur seals and, from September to November, humpback whales. In the centre of the island are the Wadjemup Lighthouse and a pink salt lake. The main settlement has colonial buildings from the 1840s, a museum covering the history of the Aboriginal prison, and restaurants, pubs, bakeries and supermarkets. Transport: Rottnest Express and SeaLink ferries leave from B Shed in Fremantle and take 30 minutes (return about 90–110 AUD including the island entry fee), or 90 minutes from Perth's Elizabeth Quay. You can also take a small plane or helicopter. It is possible to visit as a day trip, or to stay at the Karma Rottnest hotel, at Samphire, or at a campground. Notes: there is little shade on the island, so protect yourself from the sun and bring plenty of water. The bike routes are hilly, and the 22 km loop requires some stamina. Ferries can be bumpy in rough seas, so those prone to seasickness should take medication beforehand. The island gets very noisy during Schoolies week in December and January.
Opening hours
Open all day (ferries about 07:30–17:30)
Nearby sights
- Scarborough Beach
- AQWA – The Aquarium of Western Australia
- Hillarys Boat Harbour
- Kings Park and Botanic Garden
- Perth Zoo
- Elizabeth Quay
- The Bell Tower (Swan Bells)
- Northbridge