Rottnest Island, WA
Perth's recreational island, Rottnest Island has been attracting a steady stream of visitors from the mainland since it was first declared an A Class Reserve in 1917. Everything about the island is geared towards taking it easy. Being just 25 minutes from Fremantle by ferry (slightly longer from Hillarys), many come for the day; others stay longer utilising one of a variety of accommodation alternatives available.
Although Rottnest Island has undergone many changes over the years, its unique relaxed atmosphere has not been compromised by recent developments which have increased the visitor capacity of the island and enhanced its facilities. Everything about the island is geared towards taking it easy. Other than the Island Board's vehicles, there are no cars on Rottnest. Apart from a bus tour, the only way to get around the island is to walk or ride a bicycle, all of which are conducive towards everyone moving at a very leisurely pace.
The island's small sheltered bays and coves, the white beaches and turquoise waters of the island's attractive coastline, all seem to beckon the visitor to stay a while and take in the sights, rather than rush off to see something else. The island's semi-tame quaint marsupial residents, the Quokka, also get in on the act, popping out of the bushes as walkers approach their hideouts in the low scrub. Eager to stay and eat whatever scraps are given them, the Quokkas are also very happy to pose endlessly for photographs.
There is no lack of things to do on Rottnest. You can hire a bike and explore the island, or if you are feeling a little less energetic, a bus tour will show you around. Most of the bays have clean sandy beaches with calm water for swimming. Not far off shore are limestone rocks with caverns and and other interesting places to explore either with scuba diving gear or a snorkel. Dinghies and canoes are available for hire, or there is a glass bottomed boat, leaving from the main jetty, giving glimpses of shipwrecks, reefs and a startling array of fish.
Apart from walking and cycling, there are numerous land-based activities to participate in - the island has a 9-hole golf course, tennis courts, a mini golf circuit and trampolines. And for those who prefer to unwind with a glass of beer in hand, the island's hotel, known affectionately as the Quokka Arms, will gladly oblige. So good is the combination of a beer, good company and the view across crystal clear waters of Thomson Bay, some people have been known to never make it beyond the hotel on a day trip to Rotto.
Rottnest Island is one of Australia's smallest inhabited islands - it's 11 kilometres long and 4.5 kilometres at its widest point. The island is twenty kilometres off the coast of Perth. The island's Salt Lakes are a natural phenomena unique to Rottnest. The lakes are grouped in the north east section of the island and are named Government House Lake, Serpentine Lake, Herschell Lake, Garden Lake and Lake Baghdad. Because of natural seepage, there are many pools of fresh water and it is estimated that here, you'll find half the total wildlife on the island.
The rollers of the Indian Ocean foam over the reef at Cape Vlamingh, at the island's west end. There is no solid land mass between this point and Madagascar, 6,436 kilometres away. Rottnest has some of the finest beaches in WA and many sheltered bays. These are perfect for swimming and snorkelling. Popular spots are The Basin, Longreach Bay, Little Parakeet Bay and Geordie Bay. Snorkel trails have been written for 14 bays around the island and this information can be obtained from the Environment Office on the island.
How To Get There
The traditional way to get to Rottnest Island is by ferry. Traditionally, ferries leave from the jetty at the foot of Barrack Street near the centre of Perth, take a leasurely 60-minute cruise down the Swan River to Fremantle, where more passengers are picked up before the 25 minute trip from the mainland to the island. A 40-45 minute minute service operates from the northern beachside suburb of Hillarys.
By air: 4 & 6 seater aircraft are used by the Rottnest island air taxi service. Prices given here are for the "whole aircraft", so you can divide the cost amongst the number of passengers. Flight times are any time during daylight hours, booking times in advance is essential. The actual airborne part of the flight direct from Jandakot to Rottnest is 12 minutes.
Accommodation
A variety of accommodation is available to visitors wishing to extend their visit to Rottnest beyond a single day. The Rottnest Quokka Arms Hotel and the more resort-style Rottnest Lodge provide fully serviced accommodation; backpacker accommodation is available at Kingstown Barracks; the Allison Camping Grounds allows pitching your own tent; a variety of bungalows and cabins are available throughout the settlement.