Do you love shockingly clear waters and empty beaches? If you’re heading to Western Australia or Perth, no trip will be complete without a day trip or overnight stay at Rottnest Island. Most famously known for its quokkas, Rottnest or “Rotto” as the natives call it, is more extraordinary than one can imagine. Clear blue and turquoise waters surround this island with handful of suitable dining and shelter options. Here’s what you don’t want to miss on your day trip to Rottnest Island just outside Perth, Western Australia.
Transportation
Getting to the island
Catch the Rottnest Express or Sealink Rottnest from a few different ports, depending on where you are staying. Prices will vary, so check what works best for you at this Rotto ferry schedule.
On the island
The best way to get around is by bicycle for flexibility of activities, time, and exercise. The island is actually quite expansive, so unless you plan to stay close to the jetty, walking would get you virtually nowhere and there is so much to see! Alternatively, you can take the bus which does its rounds, but then you will have to stick to their limited schedule.
Recommendation: book your bike in advance online or with your ferry ticket to skip the queue. This will add an extra hour of your time, no joke, waiting with others to rent all your gear. Instead, just show the staff your pre-booking, grab a helmet and bike, and start pedaling!
#1 Now the important, part: where to find the quokkas!
Remember: please don’t feed the quokkas, as it disrupts their diet and increases reliance on humans. A lot of tourists were feeding the quokkas, especially for pictures. You’re technically supposed to let the quokka touch you, and should not touch them, but it’s hard to resist!
Parker Point was our first spotted quokka. They mostly emerge for food as people munched nearby, but they’re willing to strike a few poses. Just beneath, you may get lucky and find a quokka on the beach!
The eco-rich area with the friendliest quokkas were the middle of the island, on the trail from Wadjemup Lighthouse to Parakeet Bay. They tend to like shade and bush, and these quokkas seemed more receptive to coming close and posing with you. Not all quokkas were easy to take a picture with or even get near, in fact it proved to be quite challenging!
Taking a selfie
The tourism board makes it sound easy to take a good selfie, but it’s quite a task. I probably took 50-80 pictures (or more, don’t judge) just to get some selfies that included both of us at an normal angle, and looking remotely good.
You’ll need to crawl down on the ground pretty low to them to snap away, and if you’re lucky, they’ll be curious and sniff your face! These are called quokka kisses. Be patient, and you hopefully will come home with a few options.
If you’re having trouble, you can also feed them fresh leaves or natural food sources that are part of their diet.
#2 About those beaches
Rottnest is sprinkled with endless beaches you can go to and probably have to yourself. The beaches we went to were:
Parker Point
Little Salmon Bay
Salmon Bay
We also went to Parakeet Bay and Little Armstrong Bay, but you should allow time between each location for moving around the island. The Basin is one of the most popular spots, and if you’re lucky, you may find those insta-famous rock pools.
Recommendation: Try to view the bays between morning – early afternoon for the best colors, as the sun starts to shine at a different angle closer to sunset.
Staying longer than a day?
Honestly, a day did not feel like long enough to enjoy this slice of heaven. I would’ve loved to wake up first thing in the morning and had those private beaches to myself for a good few hours! There are camping and other accommodation options, one could easily spend a weekend here.
Packing list
A good day at Rotto includes decent preparation. For spring/summer/fall, here are the essentials to pack:
- Sunblock
- A pair of closed-toe shoes/trainers
- A pair of flip-flops/things
- Sunnies
- Beach towel
- Swimsuit
- Snorkel set
- Snacks and water
- Selfie stick (supposed to be easier for quokka selfies)
- Light jacket for early evening
- Cell phone power bank
- Camera/GoPro
Don’t forget to book your ferries online in advance (Rottnest Express or Sealink/Captain Cook Cruises), especially if you plan on going roundtrip in one day, and most importantly, have fun!
