Rottnest Island, “Rotto”, is located 33km off the coast from Perth. The traditional owners of Rottnest Island are the Whadjuk Nyungar people, they call the island Wadjemup.
The island has a rich history with Aboriginal artifacts dating back more than 30,000 years ago. In 1696, Dutch explorers named the island Rottnest, which literally translates to ‘rats nest’, after they mistook Quokkas to be giants rats. During the 1800s, the island was used as a prison for Aboriginal inmates. In the 1900s, the island was reinvented as a holiday island. However, it was briefly used as for military operations, army barracks, and as an internment camp during both world wars. Today, Rotto attracts around 700,000 day trippers and holidaymakers each year.
The island covers just 7 square miles (19sqkm). It has 63 beautiful beaches with stunning white sand, incredibly blue water and a tonne of wildlife. Rotto has a very laidback vibe and everyone is super friendly.
How to get to Rottnest
You can catch ferries (run by various companies) over to the island from Hillarys, Perth CBD and Freemantle. They run several times throughout the day. It’s around a 45 minute journey across to the island. I caught the 10am Fast Ferry from Hillarys Boat Harbour over to Rottnest Island.
How to get around
Rottnest Island is car-free. You can either get around on foot, by bike (most popular choice) or on the Island Explorer hop-on-hop-off bus.
I used the Island Explorer bus, it cost $25 and there are 19 stops around the island. The bus pass is valid for 1 day and you can get on and off as many times as you want. There are many hiking and cycling routes around the island that offer incredible views.
Bike hire is around $50-100 for the day. It is also law to wear a helmet (which I would advise as the roads are quite narrow and the buses drive quite close to cyclists). You can hire a bike from Pedal and Flipper located on island. You are, of course, free to take your own bike if you wanted to.
Note: Make sure you take plenty of water with you. There is limited drinking water outside of the settlement (the main town on the island).
Where to stay
There are several places to stay on the island from hostels to luxury eco-camping. I stayed at Kingstown Barracks Hostel. It was pleasant and quite comfortable for the night. It cost me $58 for one night and please note that bed linen at the hostel is extra cost (you are not told this at any point when booking as I found out).
Where to eat
There’s a number of restaurants and cafes on Rotto. I recommend Dome, Frankie’s on Rotto, and the Bakery (the cinnamon rolls are to die for!). There’s also a general store within the settlement where you can buy a whole range of meals, snacks, and drinks.
Note/funny story: Watch out for Quokkas. These little rascals can be quite friendly and interested in you and your food. One in particular took a liking to my pizza when I was one slice in and jumped right into it and knocked it to the floor. I guess at least I can say I pet a Quokka (you aren’t meant to but I had to push it off my table). I got a new pizza and the staff removed the quokkas from the terrace.
3 Things to do on the island
#1 Get a selfie with a Quokka
This is probably the number one thing people do when they visit Rotto. Quokkas are a small species of marsupial. They have small stocky bodies with strong legs (like kangaroos) and grow to the size of a domestic cat. They were named the happiest animals on earth in 2013. There are more than 12,000 quokkas living on Rottnest.
To get that famous selfie, you need to patient and stay still, they will be more likely to get close to you. Quokkas have no predators so they are very inquisitive, friendly and they’re not afraid of humans.
How to photograph a Quokka safely:
Be respectful and careful – safety of the Quokkas comes first
Remember, Quokkas are wild animals and you are visiting their home
Quokkas in the Settlement (main town) area are most likely to be friendly
Get your camera ready
Sit quietly nearby and wait for them to come to you – do not approach them
Never touch or pat a Quokka – this could make you both sick
If they are camera shy, don’t tempt them with food or water
If taking a selfie, use a selfie stick (if possible) to maintain a respectful distance
No one loves a camera in their face all day, once you’ve taken your selfie be sure to sit back and enjoy non-screen time with these cuties.
Note: Quokkas are a protected species. The Australian Government has strict rules about not touching Quokkas. You can be fined if you touch or pick up a Quokka. Remember, they are wild animals, they will defend themselves by biting or scratching you if they feel threatened.
#2 Snorkel in the bluest water
As already mentioned earlier in this blog, Rotto is home to 63 stunning beaches. While not all are accessible from the land, there are a number of them that are. Some of these bays are fantastic for snorkelling.
Note: you can take your own snorkelling kit with you to the island, or you can hire kit from Pedal and Flipper. Check out the weather forecast before you go to the island, some snorkelling spots are better than others depending on the wind direction.
Little Salmon Bay
Oh my lord! Little Salmon Bay is a stunning snorkelling (and swimming) spot. Little Salmon Bay is located on the SE of the island and has a small beach area. This popular spot has an underwater snorkelling trail that leads you around the bay to different points of interest. There are sea grass beds, rocky areas and coral reef. You want to snorkel here when the wind direction is blowing from the south and there is little to no wind. Visibility can range from 10-20 metres.
Little Parakeet Bay
This beautiful spot is located on the north of the island. The beach is split into two sections and has a varied reef and seagrass beds to explore. You would want to snorkel here when the wind is blowing from the south or southeast. The bay is sheltered and the visibility ranges from 5-15 metres. I snorkelled here twice and the visibility was better the second time, when the wind had dropped completely to just a little breeze.
Little Armstrong Bay
This small but lovely bay is perfect for a quick snorkel. It is located on the north of the island, next to Little Parakeet Bay. Like with Little Parakeet, you’ll want to snorkel here when the wind is blowing from the south or southeast as the bay is sheltered. Visibility here ranges from 5-15 metres.
There are a few other snorkelling sites that I didn’t get a chance to visit but have heard good things about. If you have time, check out The Basin and Pinky Beach which are on the north of the island, Salmon Bay which is next to Little Salmon Bay on the SE of the island, and Parker Point which is the other side of Little Salmon Bay.
#3 Admire the views
Rottnest Island has amazing views. From some points on the island, you can see the city of Perth on the horizon. From others, you see open ocean for miles. Wherever you go on the island, you’ll see beautiful blues, greens, and white sandy beaches.
Cathedral Rocks
Head down to Cathedral Rocks on the southwest of the island (bus stop West End). As well as incredible views looking out to sea, you’ll be able to see New Zealand Fur Seals swimming around in the water or hauled out on the rocks.
Cape Vlamingh
Cape Vlamingh is also located at West End, on the opposite side of the cliffs to Cathedral Rocks. While you won’t see any seals here, you’ll see amazing views of Fish Hook Bay and surf breaks. There’s a great viewing platform and boardwalk at the Cape so you can have extended and unobstructed views.
Parker Point
Parker Point is located on the southwest of Rotto just before Little Salmon Bay. The Point overlooks a gorgeous bay (it looks like a postcard) which is good for snorkelling as previously mentioned. If you walk from here around to Little Salmon Bay and on to Salmon Bay, you’ll also pass Jeannies Lookout and the Eastern Osprey Nest (there’s a number of them on the island but this is the biggest).
Wadjemup Lighthouse
Unlike most lighthouses, Wadjemup Lighthouse is located centrally and at the highest point on Rotto. At the time of writing this, the lighthouse was closed for maintenance works so I didn’t get to check it out but a visit there is highly recommended. Guided tours are carried out throughout the day when the lighthouse is open.
Bathurst Lighthouse
Again, I didn’t get a chance to check Bathurst Lighthouse out for myself. However, it is recommended you visit here at sunset. It’s within walking distance from the settlement.
While you can do a day trip (the earliest ferry arrives at the island around 8am), I recommend you stay at least 48 hours or more. I managed to fit in quite a lot but there’s still more I wanted to do. I just didn’t have the time. I look forward to the day I can return to Rottnest and do it all again and see more.
I want to thank by my home family and my Aussie family for contributing to this adventure for my birthday. I am so incredibly grateful to you all!
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