{"id":22123,"date":"2018-02-22T07:26:12","date_gmt":"2018-02-22T15:26:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/?p=22123"},"modified":"2025-08-19T22:34:22","modified_gmt":"2025-08-20T05:34:22","slug":"rottnest-island-australia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/rottnest-island-australia\/","title":{"rendered":"ROTTNEST ISLAND, AUSTRALIA: COMPLETE GUIDE"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rottnest Island is one of the must visit spots in all of Australia! A short ferry ride from nearby Perth, Rottnest is one of the most beautiful islands you will ever see.<\/span><\/p>\n

I’ve been traveling around Australia for about five years now. These five years include explorations of local areas, streets, towns, beaches and venues; and also longer trips to the remote islands and wild national parks. While the major tourist crowd goes to Sydney to see Opera House, I prefer to take a chance to see other less popular places, to learn more about Australia, and its treasures.<\/span><\/p>\n

Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about visiting Rottnest Island, including ferries, accommodation, and the adorable quokka!<\/p>\n

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HOW DO I GET THERE?<\/h3>\n

You can get to Rottnest by a fast boat ferry. It’s only 18 km away, which is 25 minutes from Fremantle, an Italian town in Perth, Western Australia. You can also take a ferry from Perth CBD.<\/p>\n

I personally recommend visiting Fremantle and depart from the Shed B<\/a> port location. It is much nicer in my opinion. You can plan your trip depending on your accommodation’s location<\/a> and if you have some additional time to see Fremantle.<\/p>\n

For an insider tip, you can get an additional coupon for 10-20% off in one of the free ‘Hello Perth’ guides. There will be a bar at the ferry station, where you can get some snacks, coffees or even a beer if you like.<\/p>\n

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WHAT MAKES ROTTNEST UNIQUE?<\/h3>\n

Rottnest Island is a wonderful wild island with only a few buildings like hotels, shop and a museum near the port where you arrive and then there is pretty much nothing apart from nature and wildness.<\/p>\n

Whether you feel like relaxing at the spa and staying at the hotel or if you prefer riding a bike up and downhills to discover hidden beaches \u2013 you can be active or chill, depending on what you prefer to do. There are not only turquoise water and white sand that attracts visitors, but also unusual & funny local friendly animals that smile to you and love taking #quokkaselfies.<\/p>\n

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\"Woman<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

WHAT ARE QUOKKAS?<\/h3>\n

Quokkas are cute little wild animals between 2.5- 5 kilos, who can jump and carry their babies in the pouch like kangaroos. Moreover, unlike kangaroos, quokkas can also run and climb short trees.<\/p>\n

The quokkas who live on Rottnest Island are used to people, and they are very friendly. They come very close and smile for the photos, but remember they are still wild animals and they have teeth, so make sure to be very respectful and careful.<\/p>\n

The legend says, the Island received this name, because it’s visitors though this place was full of rats (but they were actually quokkas!) and they called it ‘rat’s nest’, which has become ‘Rottnest’.<\/p>\n

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\"Quokka<\/div>\n

WHAT IS THERE TO DO ON ROTTNEST ISLAND?<\/h3>\n

You can see lots of pretty places only in one day. There is a concentration of cool spots! That is why Rottnest needs to be in your bucket list.<\/p>\n

One full day on Rottnest can be enough to see the main attractive spots and to meet the local wildlife. There are also a few hotels<\/a>, so you can stay there for more than one night and have more time to relax and enjoy the island life.<\/p>\n

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WILDLIFE SPOTTING<\/h4>\n

Apart from taking selfies with quokkas, you will drive the bike around the island and visit stunning beaches with clear water. You can also see lots of other wildlife, sealife, and birds and, if you are lucky, spot a whale, dolphins, various birds, lizards and more. Make sure to take your portable battery; you may want to take lots of photos!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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BIKE RIDES<\/h4>\n

Ferry ticket to Rottnest Island usually includes a bike hire. There are no cars allowed on the Island, and main transport is a pushbike. Get ready to ride a lot and keep in mind the distance back, driving away from the port.<\/p>\n

Get a map in the information center, because the phone reception may not be always good enough to load your Google Map.<\/p>\n

If you are unable to drive the bike, but still would like to go around \u2013 no worries! There is also a bus service, which is cruising around a few bus stops.<\/p>\n

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VISIT A PINK LAKE!<\/h4>\n

The pink lake looks particularly good on the photos and will score you lots of likes for sure! There are a few pink lakes in Australia and one of those you can find on Rottnest.<\/p>\n

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ROTTNEST HISTORY<\/h3>\n

In the 19th century, the government sent convicts to the island and so they used it as a prison. Rottnest also has some military history and to know more about what was happening here you can visit the local museum near the port.<\/p>\n

There are some big events, like music festivals, marathons, and more things are happening in the summertime on Rottnest. Be sure to check the official events calendar<\/a> to see what is currently happening on the island!<\/p>\n

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SOME ADDITIONAL INFO<\/h3>\n

There are lots of uphill and downhill on the bike, so if you are going downhill, you will need to speed up, as there will be the way up afterward.<\/p>\n

If you are into fishing, you can look for some fish, octopus and even lobsters. The best place to catch crayfish on the island is Rocky Bay. There are also normally fewer people, so it’s a secret spot \u2013 do not tell anyone!<\/p>\n

\"Woman<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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MY PERSONAL TOP TRAVEL TIPS FOR VISITING ROTTNEST ISLAND<\/h3>\n