You simply have to visit Rottnest Island at least once in your lifetime and encounter the adorable wild quokkas! Rottnest Island is a semi-developed island located next to Perth and every effort is made to protect the habitat of these cute marsupials. A day trip to Rottnest Island for snorkelling or surfing is also incredibly relaxing, with the crystal-clear, deep blue waters being simply stunning! You should plan a day trip, which should be enough time to fully enjoy the island!
Ferry to Rottnest Island
Finally we got to see the Quokka that we have been longing to see for so long! To get to Rottnest Island from Perth, you need to take a ferry. There are two options: one is departing from the city, but it takes longer and is more expensive. The other option is to go to Fremantle, where the ferry ride takes about half an hour. The boarding point is only a few hundred meters away from the Fremantle train station.
Even if you are planning to visit during winter, the UV radiation on the island is still very strong, so it’s best to wear a sun hat and sunglasses and be prepared for strong winds.
For food and drink, we would suggest bringing a water bottle and some light snacks if you are only going for a day trip. There are coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, and small supermarkets on the island, and the prices are normal or slightly higher than normal.
Things to do on Rottnest Island
After arriving on the island, you can choose to take a bus or rent a bicycle to travel around the island. The island has many ups and downs, and the slope is quite steep, so girls should consider it carefully. However, compared to the fixed schedule of buses, bicycles are relatively flexible.
To ride the bus, you can purchase a ticket for $20 per person per day at the visitor centre. It is recommended to take the bus to tour the small island. You can obtain the timetable for the island bus at the visitor centre.
Recommended stops:
6 – Little Salmon Bay
You can stop at either stop 6 or 7, both of which have views of Salmon Bay. The colour of the seawater changes constantly with the waves, making it look like a small European island. If the weather is good, you can also go diving.
8 – Wadjemup Lighthouse
Many people recommend stopping at this station. If you have plenty of time, of course, you can go and have a look. If the main purpose of visiting the island is to see the small kangaroos and the sea, you can skip this stop.
11 – West End
This stop is the westernmost point of Australia and has a small arch with turbulent water, which is quite beautiful.
19 – Geordie Bay
This stop has a cafe where you can eat something. There are two small kangaroos always at the cafe, who are quite experienced in begging for food from visitors (but please do not feed them). Next to the cafe, there are a few small forests. We found two super cute small kangaroos in one of the small forests.
Tips for taking selfies with Quokkas
If you want to find “small kangaroos”, it is best to walk around the restaurant or look under the trees where no one is around. You can lure them with leaves but do not touch them. The Quokkas are not afraid of people, so you can feed them with leaves to your heart’s content and they will not run away. Lower your phone and find a good angle to take continuous photos, and you will capture the natural smiles of the little Quokkas.