Rottnest Island - known as Wadjemup to the Noongar people - is a car-free island paradise just 19 kilometres off the Perth coast, famous for its adorable quokkas, crystal-clear bays, and relaxed holiday atmosphere. The island covers just 19 square kilometres and is ringed by 63 beaches and 20 bays, each with water so clear and turquoise it resembles the Caribbean. Rottnest is Perth's favourite day trip and weekend getaway, offering cycling, snorkelling, diving, surfing, and wildlife encounters in a vehicle-free environment where the most common form of transport is the humble bicycle. The island also has a deep and sometimes painful history as Wadjemup, a place of great cultural significance to the Noongar people and a site of colonial imprisonment.
Getting There
Rottnest is reached by ferry from Perth, Fremantle, or Hillarys Boat Harbour. Rottnest Express operates the most frequent services: from Fremantle (25 minutes, from $60 return), from Perth's Barrack Street Jetty (90 minutes via the Swan River, from $90 return), and from Hillarys (45 minutes, from $70 return). Sealink also operates from Fremantle. Ferries run multiple times daily in peak season and less frequently in winter. A small airport on the island receives scenic flights from Jandakot Airport in Perth (from $200 return). No private vehicles are permitted on the island.
Quokkas
Quokkas are Rottnest Island's star attraction - small, friendly marsupials with a permanent "smile" that has made them social media sensations:
- Meeting quokkas: Quokkas are found throughout the island but are most concentrated around the Settlement area (near the ferry terminal), the Geordie Bay and Longreach Bay areas, and around the bakery and shops. They are generally curious and approachable.
- Quokka selfies: The "quokka selfie" has become one of Australia's most iconic photos. Get down to ground level, hold your phone at arm's length, and wait for the quokka to look up. Patience and a low angle produce the best results.
- Rules: Do not feed quokkas. Human food can make them sick. Do not touch or pick them up. Fines apply for harming quokkas (up to $50,000). Observe from a respectful distance and let them approach you.
- Biology: Quokkas are small wallabies (about the size of a domestic cat). Rottnest Island is home to approximately 10,000-12,000 quokkas - the largest population in the world. They are nocturnal and most active at dawn and dusk.
The Basin & Island Bays
Rottnest's beaches and bays are among the most beautiful in Western Australia:
- The Basin: The island's most popular swimming spot - a sheltered bay with calm, crystal-clear water and a sandy bottom. Protected from the swell by a natural reef, it is perfect for families and snorkelling. It can get crowded in summer - arrive early.
- Little Salmon Bay: One of the best snorkelling spots on the island, with abundant coral, tropical fish, and the occasional octopus. A short cycle from the Settlement.
- Parakeet Bay: A beautiful, more secluded bay on the island's north coast. Excellent snorkelling and fewer crowds than The Basin.
- Geordie Bay: A picturesque bay with holiday cottages, a small cafe, and calm swimming. One of the most charming spots on the island.
- Strickland Bay: A surf break on the island's south-west coast, popular with experienced surfers.
- Pinky Beach: A wide, sheltered beach near the Settlement with a new eco-resort (Discovery Rottnest Island) and bar.
Cycling & Exploring
Cycling is the best way to explore Rottnest - the island is flat, car-free, and ringed by a 22km cycling trail:
- Bike hire: Bikes are available for hire at the Settlement (from $30/day) or can be pre-booked with your ferry ticket for a discount. Helmets are compulsory and included.
- The loop: The full island circuit is approximately 22km and takes 2-3 hours at a leisurely pace, with stops at bays and lookouts. The route is mostly flat with a few gentle hills.
- Highlights: Stop at The Basin, Little Salmon Bay, Parker Point (excellent snorkelling), Cathedral Rocks, and the Wadjemup Lighthouse. The West End boardwalk offers views of New Zealand fur seals on the rocks below.
- Segway tours: For those who prefer not to cycle, Segway tours operate around the eastern end of the island (from $79).
- Hop-on hop-off bus: The Island Explorer bus runs a loop around the island, allowing you to hop off at key attractions and catch the next bus (from $20/day).
Wadjemup History
Rottnest Island has a painful colonial history:
- Aboriginal imprisonment: From the 1830s to the 1930s, the island was used as a prison for Aboriginal men and boys from across Western Australia. Over 370 Aboriginal men and boys died on the island during this period.
- Wadjemup Aboriginal Burial Ground: A memorial site honouring those who died on the island. A visit is a sobering and important experience.
- Reconciliation: The Western Australian Government has formally acknowledged the suffering that occurred on Wadjemup. Interpretive displays at the museum and around the island tell this history.
Where to Eat
- Thomsons: (Hotel Rottnest): The island's best restaurant, with waterfront dining, local seafood, and Indian Ocean views. Mains $28-42.
- Pinky's Beach Club: (Pinky Beach): Casual beachside dining and drinks. Pizzas, burgers, and share plates. Mains $20-32.
- Geordie Bay Cafe: (Geordie Bay): Casual coffee, brunch, and light meals in a charming bay setting. Mains $14-24.
- Rottnest Bakery: (Settlement): Famous for its pies, pastries, and quokka-shaped cookies. A must-stop for cyclists.
- Lane Cafe: (Settlement): Good coffee and casual dining near the ferry terminal. Mains $16-26.
Where to Stay
- Budget: Rottnest Island Authority manages heritage cottages, cabins, and a campground (tent sites from $35 per night, basic cabins from $130). The Kingstown Barracks YHA offers dormitory accommodation (from $45).
- Mid-Range: Rottnest Hotel (from $200), heritage cottages (2-bedroom from $220 per night, book well ahead).
- Luxury: Discovery Rottnest Island (eco-glamping tents at Pinky Beach, from $350), Samphire Rottnest (luxury hotel, from $400).
Practical Tips
- Bookings: Rottnest accommodation books out months in advance for summer weekends and school holidays. Ferry tickets also sell out in peak season - book ahead. - Day trip vs overnight: A day trip is enough to cycle the island, swim, and see quokkas. An overnight stay allows a more relaxed pace and the chance to experience the island at sunset and dawn (when quokkas are most active). - Sun protection: There is limited shade on the island. Bring sunscreen, a hat, and plenty of water. The cycling trails are exposed. - Snorkelling gear: Bring your own or hire from the Settlement dive shop. The island's bays have excellent snorkelling directly from the shore. - Entry fee: A Rottnest Island admission fee ($19.50 adults) is included in most ferry tickets. Check when booking.
AUBIS Tip
: Rottnest Island is the perfect day trip or overnight escape from Perth. Use AUBIS to plan your Rottnest adventure - book ferry tickets and bike hire together for the best deals, schedule a snorkelling tour, reserve accommodation well in advance, and combine your Rottnest visit with a Fremantle day trip. The platform will coordinate your island itinerary with Perth accommodation and dining.