Rottnest Island, where do I begin? Rottnest might be my favorite place in all of Australia! The feeling of looking back on my trip here makes me so happy and excited. Just cycling along the island’s coastline and witnessing some of the most amazing sights I’ve ever seen. Snorkeling in the turquoise waters and taking selfies with the friendly little Quokkas! Amazing!
About Rottnest island
Rottnest Island is a small island located 20 km from the city of Perth in Western Australia. It is an incredibly popular destination for tourists and locals alike. The island boasts some of the finest beaches in Australia! Once on the island, there is a small village that includes a tourist center, some cafes/restaurants, a small store, and a place to rent bikes. There is also a hotel that you can stay at if you would like to.
What to consider when going to Rottnest Island?
The first thing to consider is booking a ticket for the ferry that takes you there and back, which you can easily do online. It’s wise to book in advance to ensure you get a ticket. You can also book a bike on most ferries that take you out. We did, and it was nice to have our bikes ready when we stepped onto the island. Cycling is preferable, and the island is designed for cycling with beautiful bike paths without traffic (only buses operate on the island), and there are bike racks everywhere. Book your ticket on this site https://rottnestexpress.com.au/.
For those who don’t want to cycle, there are also buses, which are, of course, an excellent way to get around.
It may also be wise to pack your own backpack with food for the day. There are restaurants, but they are not scattered all over the island. I highly recommend bringing food and water. It’s also very nice to just sit somewhere on the island and enjoy a little picnic!
Another small tip is to cycle counterclockwise. This is to have a slightly easier ride with more long downhill stretches and only a few slightly steeper uphill climbs.
What not to miss on Rottnest Island?
Quokkas
One of the best things about Rottnest Island is keeping an eye out for Quokkas! You’ve probably already heard of these little adorable creatures. If you don’t know what a quokka is, you can best describe them as a mini version of a fluffy kangaroo. Quokkas are very rare and can only be found on Rottnest Island. Here, they abound, and since there are no natural predators on the island, they are also very friendly and let you get close. What’s so fun about quokkas is that if you take a selfie with them from below, it looks like they’re smiling! This was one of the absolute best things on the island, taking selfies with these cute little creatures!
Wadjemup Lighthouse
The lighthouse is located at the highest point on the island and is the 4th tallest lighthouse in Australia. You can’t go up in the lighthouse itself, but it’s absolutely worth a detour up here just to enjoy the view. The best thing about taking the detour up here must be that there is a little food truck… so after all that effort, you can reward yourself with a cup of iced coffee!!
Parker Point
A nice place to take a photo. There is a viewpoint but also a beautiful beach to hang out on. If you prefer some shade, you can usually find it somewhere on this beach. This beach is also a place where you can find quokkas!
The Best Beaches on Rottnest Island You Can’t Miss
Little Salmon Bay
This beautiful little beach can be found in the southern part of the island. It is also quite close to the harbor and is therefore very easy to reach by both bike and bus. The calm and shallow water makes this place perfect for snorkeling! I spent a lot of my time here just gliding around the colorful corals and watching the beautiful fish, magically beautiful!
Salmon Bay
Not surprisingly, the next beach is called Salmon Bay and is just around the corner after Little Salmon Bay. A much longer beach with inviting turquoise water that you gladly dive into after a sweaty bike ride.
Parakeet Bay
The calm and clear water here makes it perfect for families to stay on this beach. With cliffs on both sides of the beach, it also becomes a very picturesque place that you just can’t miss!
We were also lucky enough to come across a quokka on this beach, which made this beach very special for us!
So, if you’re still wondering if it’s worth going to Rottnest Island or not? I can promise you that going to Rottnest is something that you never would regret. it’s simply a must in my opinion. Rottnest have so much to offer considering the small size of the island. Don´t hesitate, jump on the boat and get ready for a little adventure.
Have a wonderful trip to Rottnest Island!
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