ROTTNEST ISLAND, AUSTRALIA: COMPLETE GUIDE

WHAT MAKES ROTTNEST UNIQUE?

Rottnest Island is a wonderful wild island with only a few buildings like hotels, shop and a museum near the port where you arrive and then there is pretty much nothing apart from nature and wildness.

Whether you feel like relaxing at the spa and staying at the hotel or if you prefer riding a bike up and downhills to discover hidden beaches – you can be active or chill, depending on what you prefer to do. There are not only turquoise water and white sand that attracts visitors, but also unusual & funny local friendly animals that smile to you and love taking #quokkaselfies.

WHAT ARE QUOKKAS?

Quokkas are cute little wild animals between 2.5- 5 kilos, who can jump and carry their babies in the pouch like kangaroos. Moreover, unlike kangaroos, quokkas can also run and climb short trees.

The quokkas who live on Rottnest Island are used to people, and they are very friendly. They come very close and smile for the photos, but remember they are still wild animals and they have teeth, so make sure to be very respectful and careful.

The legend says, the Island received this name, because it’s visitors though this place was full of rats (but they were actually quokkas!) and they called it ‘rat’s nest’, which has become ‘Rottnest’.

WHAT IS THERE TO DO ON ROTTNEST ISLAND?

You can see lots of pretty places only in one day. There is a concentration of cool spots! That is why Rottnest needs to be in your bucket list.

One full day on Rottnest can be enough to see the main attractive spots and to meet the local wildlife. There are also a few hotels, so you can stay there for more than one night and have more time to relax and enjoy the island life.

WILDLIFE SPOTTING

Apart from taking selfies with quokkas, you will drive the bike around the island and visit stunning beaches with clear water. You can also see lots of other wildlife, sealife, and birds and, if you are lucky, spot a whale, dolphins, various birds, lizards and more. Make sure to take your portable battery; you may want to take lots of photos!

BIKE RIDES

Ferry ticket to Rottnest Island usually includes a bike hire. There are no cars allowed on the Island, and main transport is a pushbike. Get ready to ride a lot and keep in mind the distance back, driving away from the port.

Get a map in the information center, because the phone reception may not be always good enough to load your Google Map.

If you are unable to drive the bike, but still would like to go around – no worries! There is also a bus service, which is cruising around a few bus stops.

VISIT A PINK LAKE!

The pink lake looks particularly good on the photos and will score you lots of likes for sure! There are a few pink lakes in Australia and one of those you can find on Rottnest.

ROTTNEST HISTORY

In the 19th century, the government sent convicts to the island and so they used it as a prison. Rottnest also has some military history and to know more about what was happening here you can visit the local museum near the port.

There are some big events, like music festivals, marathons, and more things are happening in the summertime on Rottnest. Be sure to check the official events calendar to see what is currently happening on the island!

SOME ADDITIONAL INFO

There are lots of uphill and downhill on the bike, so if you are going downhill, you will need to speed up, as there will be the way up afterward.

If you are into fishing, you can look for some fish, octopus and even lobsters. The best place to catch crayfish on the island is Rocky Bay. There are also normally fewer people, so it’s a secret spot – do not tell anyone!

MY PERSONAL TOP TRAVEL TIPS FOR VISITING ROTTNEST ISLAND

• Plan your trip to Rottnest Island on Tuesday; it is a half price ticket day ($60 instead of $120).
• Take plenty of water. There are not many refill stations in the middle of the island, and you will be very thirsty, driving the bike.
• Bring a sandwich and some snacks. There are no shops or restaurants as soon as you leave the port area.
• Thoughtfully apply and re-apply sunscreen on your hands, neck, knees, and feet. 99% of people on the Ferry back from Rottnest have these spots sunburned.
• Do not feed quokka with human food. They love eating leaves, and human food causes health issues for them.
• The Pink Lake may look different in your photographs, and it can be not pink enough on the photos. It often looks much better in real life than on the images. There is a solution! Use the Lightroom app to bring the pink color saturation and luminance up to enhance the pink color.
• Bring a snorkel and watch an incredible underwater world.
• Bring a backpack instead of a shoulder bag. It will make driving much more manageable! Bring a piece of rope to tight your belongings to the bike. You never know when you may need it!

NEARBY PLACES TO VISIT

There are many cool islands in Australia you should consider visiting. Just name a few: Rottnest, Fraser, Stradbroke, Whitsundays, Penguin Island, Kangaroo Island, Tasmania – you can find an adventure for your own taste and depending on your preferred location to experience the island babe’s life!

Western Australia has a lot to explore. Even though it is closer to Europe and the rest of the world than the Australian East Coast with Sydney and Melbourne, it remains less popular and more undiscovered. If you plan a trip to Australia, I would like to encourage you to visit the Western Part.

Rottnest Island is definitely worth a visit and it is a magnificent place you will remember all your life.