Your Guide to Visiting Rottnest Island
Wadjemup, also known as Rottnest Island is a small island off the coast of Perth known for its beautiful beaches, incredible marine life, and of course, the happiest animal on earth. (Quokka) My dream to go here was born probably about 8ish years ago when I saw a few pictures of the adorable smiling animal on twitter. I added it to my bucket list so quick. Quokkas are only found in Western Australia and basically, they run this island. Being that its on literally the complete opposite side of the earth as me in Minnesota, I didn’t think I’d actually be able to visit this island, but luckily enough, life led me here.
Getting to the island
I feel like this goes without saying but you gotta take a boat to get to the island. There are a few different ports you can leave from. We left from Fremantle, so the boat ride was about 25 minutes. Ticket prices vary by season, time, and location, but they can be pricey so I recommend getting an early start to your day and getting the most out of your time there.
Where to stay
So, you can definitely just visit for the day; catch an early ferry in and early evening out. However, it was really nice to just relax and not worry about missing a ferry later on in the day. There are many resorts, campgrounds, and even a hostel you could stay at. We went the glamping route and had a great time. We had a shower, toilet, and bed which is more my style than tent, sleeping bag, hole in the ground. It was a really nice experience and we had a great time hanging out on the patio in the evening. As far as keeping yourself cool, that ones a bit trickier. There is an overhead fan but when its 100+ degrees outside, it’s really just blowing hot air around. I actually copped some heat exhaustion following this trip, but I also came from Minnesota winter, so I was nowhere near acclimated to this climate. Just something to keep in mind when you think about your accommodation choice.
Getting around the island
You have a few options here.
Bike
First, you can rent a bike and pedal your way around. It sounds super fun and you know how I love a bikeable island, but we didn’t go this route. We didn’t go for this one simply because of the excessive heat when we went, but if you’re prepare yourself for the work of it (lots of hills), I’m sure it’s a good time.
Bus
We got a bus ticket that lets you hop on and off the bus all day. They go one way around the whole island, stopping at all of the best beaches, bays, and lookouts. They come every 20 minutes so it’s easy to check out a few spots in a single day. We also got to see all of the great spots this way even just sitting on the bus, kind of like a scenic tour!
Water Taxi
This is a bit ~deluxe~ and we did not indulge but it would be lovely to jump from bay to bay this way.
Segway Tours
Again, didn’t indulge, but remain jealous of the people who did.
What to do
Say hello to the Quokkas
First things first, say hello to the quokkas. They’re everywhere and used to humans being around so they aren’t afraid to get close. Just please don’t touch them!! I saw so many kids pet them and the parents just laugh and let them do it. There are signs everywhere urging people to leave them be. Remember, you’re a guest in their home. I’d be pretty pissed if I was sleeping and people woke me up to pet me.
Relax on the beach
We went to Pinky’s beach, the Basin, and Little Salmon Bay. There were so many more I wanted to check out but we just ran out of time.
Go for a snorkel
People rave about the fish here. and, BONUS, there are shipwrecks to explore.
Enjoy the lookouts
From up above you can really see the vibrant blue water contrast with the darker spots and it’s just beautiful. You probably don’t need to stop at every single one, but there are tons of mini hike spots to get to higher ground.
Venture to the pink lake
Yep, they have a pink lake. It’s not always super pink so try not to get disappointed if it isn’t the same shade as your lipgloss.
Grab a drink
We had a nice time grabbing a bite and a drink at Hotel Rottnest. It’s right by the pier so a great place to hang if you’re waiting to get on the ferry. Live music brings up the energy and people love to dance.
What to bring
Shade! We had a cabana and it was a lifesaver
Sunscreen
Hat
Sunglasses
Water bottle
Cooler with snacks and drinks. Yes! You can bring your own which is super nice when it comes to keeping things cold and keeping costs down.
Wishing you the best of luck getting that quokka selfie! Have so much fun!
