Explore car-free Rottnest Island, WA on an Australian Adventure
An Australian adventure in Western Australia isn’t an Australian adventure unless you experience Rottnest Island, Perth’s very own getaway island. Home to Australia’s cutest marsupial, the friendly quokka, this car-free island, can be explored on foot, bike or boat.
If you’re planning an Australian Adventure, and you have any inclination to visit Western Australia‘s capital, Perth (and why wouldn’t you?), it’s not an Australian adventure unless you experience Rottnest Island.
Home to Australia’s cutest marsupial, the friendly quokka, Rottnest Island is a protected nature reserve, just off-shore of Perth, and can be explored on foot, bike, segway, a bus tour or by boat, but leave your car behind—they’re not allowed on this car-free island.
A short ferry ride from Fremantle (25 mins), Hilary’s Boat Harbour (45 mins) or Perth (90 mins) will get you to Perth’s very own getaway island or you can be visit the island on a private boat tour or as part of a cruise of Western Australia. If your time is limited or you don’t like boats, you can even get there by air taxi.
You can visit Rottnest Island on a day-trip to discover its abundant wildlife and unique flora, as well as lots of Australian history and culture. Stay for a couple of days to explore the island’s many secluded bays and beaches, where you can swim or snorkel among the corals and diverse fish or dive in the many shipwrecks.
While on the island, you can enjoy lunch at one of the many waterside cafés and restaurants and sample sweet plump scallops that were grown in the waters surrounding Rottnest Island. Or take an eco-cruise to discover the local wildlife before heading to Hotel Rottnest, overlooking Thompson Bay, to take in the view as the sun sets.
If you’re really short on time, you can take a scenic flight or helicopter ride to at least experience the wonder of Rottnest Island by air, but you won’t meet the friendly quokka!