Rottnest Island has practically no cars, which means it’s one of the safest and most environmentally considerate islands to travel around. Plus it’s stunning with 63 beaches of heart-stopping clear blue water, white-sand beaches, shipwrecks, underground tunnels and reefs. It’s where Perth locals go to snorkel.
But that’s not why travellers visit. They go for the quokka.
These super friendly, fluffy marsupials gave the island its name. Rotte nest means ‘rats nest’, which is a not-so-fluffy name bestowed on the island by Willem de Vlamingh back in 1696.
But don’t be put off by the word ‘rat’. Be prepared to be charmed by the wee quokka residents of the island. They even have their own hashtag on Instagram #quokkaselfies, and no, we don't know why they always look like they're smiling! Please remember these delightful little creatures are wild animals so be respectful around them and never feed a quokka or you’ll be instantly fined by the quokka police. Seriously.
There are bus tours around Rottnest but the best way to see the place is on two wheels. Grab a bike and leg it around the 20 idyllic bays, and count the 63 beaches as you go. It’s highly likely you’ll find a spot to yourself unless a quokka has found it first!
Quokkas aside, this protected nature reserve, is famous for a few other things too...
Perched on the western part of Rotty, Strickland Bay, is ranked in the top 50 breaks in the world. Every year surfers flock (or pedal) here because it has the most consistent break. With superb lefts up to four metres over a shallow reef there’s a lock-in end tube section. And when the swells are smaller there are decent rights too. If you don’t understand any of this then you’re probably not experienced enough to surf here. Strickland’s not as intense as other reefs but it is still a reef (which is easier to negotiate in booties) so is not for newbies. But if you know what a lock-in end tube is then check the conditions and paddle out.
Rottnest’s coral reefs and shipwrecks are nearly as famous as the quokkas, and you can also find them on Instagram because the diving and snorkelling is out-of-this-world. The Basin is not so much a beach but a natural swimming pool that any mermaid worth their salt would be found in. You only need to take a couple of steps from the beach across a shallow reef platform before you’ll find yourself at the edge of a large, natural hole in the reef. You couldn’t dream up a nicer pool to swim in, with perfect dimensions and depth to make it just like a real one. Without the chlorine. As you move through the crystal-clear water you’ll often see buffalo bream fish also taking a dip.
Free of strong currents and crashing waves, The Basin is great for beginners. If you’re after more adrenalin, fish selection and coral landscapes venture out into deeper water towards Longreach Bay.
If biking isn’t your thing then you can strap on the hiking boots or thongs and hit the 45km Wadjemup Bidi. It’s 45 km of trail in total but is broken up into five sections, each with their own curious spots to discover. The 9.4km track from Thomson Bay to Oliver Hill has you exploring the ruins of the Coastal Defence system set up during WWII. Or the 9.7km loop walk from Thomson Bay Settlement makes you feel like you’re walking on water as the trail leads you over the Lakes Boardwalk.
Historical relics from WWII can be found on the 10km Salmon Bay track which crosses over the middle of the island. Other Wadjemup Bidi walks will take you past swimming lagoons and wildlife viewing points where you can spot dolphins, whales and New Zealand fur seals.
