Rottnest Island
Australia · Western Australia · 10 m
Description
Rottnest Island (Wadjemup), affectionately known as “Rotto” by locals, is a car-free island off the coast of Perth, famous for its white sandy beaches, turquoise bays and iconic quokkas. Best explored by bicycle, the island offers excellent opportunities for swimming, snorkelling and diving among coral reefs and historic shipwrecks. Wadjemup holds deep cultural and spiritual significance for the Noongar people, while its history also includes a painful chapter as a prison for Aboriginal men. Today, the protected island combines remarkable wildlife and natural beauty with beaches, water activities, culture and history, making it one of Western Australia’s most popular island destinations.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 1 to 3 days (optimal 2 days)
Travel season
Best time to visit: December – February
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Quokkas on Wadjemup (Rottnest Island)
- Cycling around Wadjemup (Rottnest Island)
- The Basin
- Little Salmon Bay
- Pinky Beach
- Wadjemup Lighthouse
- Wadjemup Aboriginal History & Wadjemup Museum
- Wadjemup Hill & Oliver Hill Battery
- Rottnest Island Snorkelling
- Henrietta Rocks & The Shark Shipwreck
- Salmon Bay
- Parakeet Bay
- Geordie Bay
- West End & Cape Vlamingh
- Cathedral Rocks & New Zealand Fur Seals
- Rottnest Island Whale Watching (September - December)
- Wadjemup Bidi Walking Trails
- Salt Lakes & Lake Baghdad
- Rottnest Island Kayaking
- Rottnest Island Scuba Diving
Getting there
- Train stations:
- Oliver Hill, Settlement
- Seaport:
- Reachable by ship or ferry