We absolutely love Rotto!

HOW TO GET THERE:

30 minutes from Perth with Sealink Rotto leaving from Fremantle Harbour. Warning: you need to pay for parking here. Alternatively, you can get free parking at Hillarys boat harbour but the ferry ride is longer.

ABOUT THE ISLAND:

Theres no cars but there are coach buses, its a very accessible island with electric mobility scooters you can hire too!

Home to quokkas a small wallaby native to Australia Rottnest meaning “Rats nest” as the quokkas at first were considered big rats.

Wadjemup meaning ”place across the water where the spirits are” Please read up about the history Aboriginal people endured here and the reconciliation project "Whadjuk project" currently in action.

TOURS

There are a few tours that run off Rottnest including:

Ghost tours

Lobster sailing tours

Snorkelling tours and more

HOW LONG

We recommend 3-4 days. But a day trip is great too.

PERFECT ROTTNEST DAY TRIP:
1) Ferry over with Sealink (free icypoles on board)
2) Hire your bikes straight off the ferry - book in advance. The island is big we recommend electric bikes.
3) Stop for some food/coffee at:
The Lane
Rottnest Bakery
Pelican Kiosk
There’s also an IGA to stock up water and snacks
4) Continue to Parker Point check out the boardwalk.
Snorkelling options:
Parker Point
Henrietta Rocks shipwreck
Little Salmon Bay snorkel trail
The Basin
5) Stricklands Beach for a surf
6) Have lunch at the new Mediterranean restaurant @sunsetsrottnest
7) Visit the Basin and the lighthouse at Pinkys Beach
9) Check out Parakeet Bay
10) Have a cold drink at Hotel Rottnest or Pinky’s Bar to finish the day before getting the late ferry home

OPTIONAL:
Ride all the way to Cape Vlamingh to see the seal colony but this is 22km there and back!
On the way back stop in at Geordie Bay

WHEN TO VISIT:

Best time to visit our pick is autumn, spring or summer. Winter will be too rainy and cold.

For Aboriginal people of Australia, Rottnest Island (Wadjemup) holds a painful history as a prison and forced labour camp. We send our respects to our First Nations people and acknowledge the traditional owners of this beautiful land you can learn more about the history on the island.

Good to know:

• Ferries leave from Perth, Fremantle, and Hillarys

• Bikes can be hired on the island or brought over on the ferry

• There is accommodation if you want to stay the night, but it's limited and books out early, especially in summer

• Park entry fee is included in ferry ticket (double check with your provider)