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Rottnest Island, Western Australia: All the information you need!

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Ahhh Rottnest Island. The land that’s surrounded by crystal clear water & home to thousands of the cute little mammals called QUOKKAS. Come explore Rottnest Island for a day trip or make a holiday out of it!

Rottnest lies 19km off the coast of Perth in Western Australia and is a 30-minute ferry ride from Fremantle. The ferries run regularly, making it a very accessible island and the tickets cost $50 each, return. Rottnest Island isn’t one of the cheapest experiences you could have while in Western Australia but below I’ll share a few tips on making your stay slightly more cost-effective.

Lawrence and I spent three nights on Rottnest at the end of September for our wedding anniversary. Three nights and four days was the perfect amount of time to see it all, as well as have plenty of time to relax, snorkel and sunbake. It’s a true paradise. 

Rottnest Accommodation

When we began planning where we wanted to go for our anniversary, we had a list of possible destinations (including Rottnest) but what made our final decision was an email from Luxury Escapes advertising a deal for Rottnest Island. The deal was for accommodation at Discovery Rottnest Island, including breakfast & ferry transfers.

Discovery is an eco-friendly resort and a reasonably new property. Also, it’s located right on Pinky beach. It’s a glamping style setup, with a camping feel but much more luxurious. 

We booked one of the deluxe tents and it was perfect. And, the room had everything we needed, including a balcony with ocean views and a BBQ. Apart from them stuffing up our breakfast order a couple of times, I really can’t fault this property, plus all the staff were very nice.

It was so easy to reach our accommodation from the ferry because it was only a 10-15 minute walk and you pass through town on the way. 

Getting Around Rottnest Island

The island is a car-free zone (except for essential services) and this was one of the things I loved most about it. No cars added to the simplicity of the island and kept the focus on the untouched landscape. 

So I definitely think the best way to get around is by hiring a bike. The bike hire from Pedal and Flipper was $30 for one day or $45 for two days. This cost included a helmet & lock (and they also have baby seats and trailers for hire).

Oh and lastly, make sure you grab yourself a map too! Not that the roads are complicated, but it’ll ensure you never waste any time backtracking. And, the map will also point out attractions & recommended snorkeling areas.

We had the bikes for two days and it was awesome! Freedom to go where we wanted and with no time restraints. We covered the whole island and stopped at most sights and beaches. It was the perfect amount of time & I left feeling like we’d seen it all.  

Apart from essential services the only other motor vehicle, you’ll see on the road is the tourist bus. Tickets cost around $20 per person and it’s basically a hop-on hop-off bus and stops at all the main sites.

Although we didn’t use the bus, it always looked very busy and this would be a great option if the weather wasn’t any good.

Things to do on Rottnest Island

The beaches on Rottnest really are stunning and the color of the water is absolutely gorgeous. Unfortunately, even though we had beautiful sunny days the water was still freezing.

So we were only brave enough to snorkel once and that was at Little Armstrong Bay. It was a beautiful spot, a very safe, protected area, and plenty of fish to see. 

Best Beaches on Rottnest Island

Pinky Beach, 
Salmon Bay,
Ricey Beach,
Little Armstrong Bay,
Parakeet Bay.

And, if you’re interested in spotting some wildlife off the coast, head to the western end of the island. We saw heaps of whales, dolphins and there’s also a colony of New Zealand fur seals. 

Rottnest Island has 63 beaches & 20 bays to choose from so I’m sure you’ll find one perfect for you. It would depend on the day too. I’m always looking for a beach with the least amount of people haha 

Get a Selfie with a Quokka

Beaches aside, the biggest goal I had for my stay on Rottnest was getting a selfie with a Quokka!!! And I’m happy to say I succeeded. OMG, they are so cute. 

So for those of you who don’t know what a Quokka is, they are kind of like mini Kangaroos. Nocturnal mammals that are native to Rottnest and there are estimated to be 10-12 thousand of them living on the island.

They’re also said to be the happiest animal on earth because they have no predators on the island. Plus, we were so lucky because we saw so many babies! The babies grow inside the mother’s pouch from March and start to come out in September. Also, as they are nocturnal, you’ll have a much better chance of getting a photo with them in the morning or late afternoon. 

(Please note; As cute as the Quokkas are you can’t touch or feed them. This is in their best interest and if you’re seen breaking these rules you could get an on-the-spot fine of $150) 

Learn About Rottnest Island History

Rottnest Island also has a large military history that played a role in both world wars. There’re a number of guided tours you can take. We took a 1-hour tour visiting the site of the Oliver Hill Gun. We got to see this ginormous gun that was used to fire at boats trying to invade Australia during the second world war and go inside the underground tunnels & see where soldiers worked. 

And at the end of each day make sure you grab a seat and watch the sunset over the ocean. This is one of my favorite things to do in Western Australia.

What to take with you to Rottnest Island

Most things you could need on Rottnest are available there, so don’t panic if you forget anything.

The main town is small but still has a supermarket, bakery, clothing store, ATMs & a few restaurants (including the pub and sports bar). Although, when you leave the town there really isn’t much around, well I should say ‘nothing’ around. If you plan on exploring for a full day, I’d highly recommend taking a packed lunch and water. 

We took our snorkeling gear but Pedal and Flipper do have everything for hire and our accommodation provided us with beach towels. 

And also if you’re looking to not overspend during your stay, I would recommend taking over what you have. There’s no point in spending money to hire what you already have at home. General groceries and toiletries will also be slightly more expensive on the island compared with the mainland. 

Could I go to Rottnest Island for a day trip?

Yes, absolutely! Most people do just visit for the day and if that’s all the time you have, it would still be worth going. 

Book a Rottnest Island day trip here with GET YOUR GUIDE.

On our first day, we rode around the whole island, stopping a lot but this took us about 6 hours. If you aren’t a keen biker, the bus did look like a great option for those looking to see a lot in a smaller amount of time. 

The ferry times change depending on the season but during October the first one leaves Fremantle at 9 am and the last ferry back was in the late afternoon.

the ocean shoreline on a cloudy day with a lighthouse in the distance on Rottnest Island
Rottnest Island Travel Guide
A man and a women sitting on the edge of a cliff overlooking the blue ocean
A female on her bike stopped on the side of the road. In the distance you can see the ocean around Rottnest Island
overlooking the blue ocean, with the water so clear you can see the reef underneath on Rottnest Island
A women and a man taking a selfie with an Australian Quokka. They are all smiling and the quokka is holding a leaf on Rottnest Island
Quokka Selfie
low angle shot of a Rottnest local, Quokka holding a leaf
looking out the window of our accommodation on Rottnest Island. Female standing on the balcony towards the ocean view
a female snorkeler walking out of the blue ocean on a sunny day on Rottnest Island

I hope you enjoy this charming little island as much as we did, I really think it’s a perfect little getaway for couples, families, or even with a group of friends. Feel free to comment below if you have any questions.

Oh, and one last tip; keep an eye out for Dugite. They are black snakes that are highly venomous. They actually love being out in the hot sun so be careful. I nearly ran one over on my bike eeekkkk

Western Australia is so massive, so while you’re there you may as well see more than one place!! Click below if you’d like to read my blog about Swimming With Whale Sharks in Exmouth.

Thanks for reading,

Happy Travels.  

If you liked this article, I would love for you to share it with your friends. 

Other Recommended Hotels on Rottnest Island (click for booking.com)

Karma Rottnest, 3 star Lodge. 

Rottnest Island Authority, 3 star bayfront resort.

Like this Travel Guide on Rottnest Island?
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A small animal called a Quokka eating, found on Rottnest Island WA
aerial shot of Rottnest Island in Wester Australia. Australian Travel Guide

Planning a Trip? Travel Resources Below;

Where to Next?

If you want to travel around more of Australia, check out my Ultimate Guide to Travel Down Under. Which includes heaps of ideas for your Australian bucket list!

Searching For The Best Flights

Without a doubt the best site for comparing and booking flights is Skyscanner. Just click here to compare flights and get the best prices with Skyscanner. 

Booking Accommodation 

Then when it comes to booking accommodation; if you’re after a hostel the best place to search is HostelWorld.

Or, if you’d prefer a hotel or resort, Booking.com or Agoda are two of the best sites out there, they consistently return cheap rates.

Get Your Cashback

Before you book though don’t forget to activate your Rakuten browser extension so you get cashback on these bookings. 

Don’t know what Rakuten is? Read my guide here!

And, Don’t Forget Travel Insurance 

Unfortunately, everything doesn’t always go to plan but travel insurance will protect you when it comes to illness, injury, theft & cancellation. I never travel overseas without travel insurance, it’s just not worth the risk! 

Cover-More is a trusted company and they also have COVID-19 benefits available. 

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This Post Has 16 Comments

  1. Krista

    The island looks absolutely amazing to explore! I love the look of the crystal clear water – the views from here look amazing.

    1. Elyse

      It was so beautiful, even on a cloudy day the water was so clear 🙂 Thanks for reading

  2. Travelling Tam

    I’m ashamed to admit I have not made it over to WA yet (I’m victoria) BUT I do have a van so as son as I can take a long trip, I’d love to make it over there! I’ve heard some great things about Rottnest Island too so I really want to go and meet the Quokkas!

    1. Elyse

      It is a bit hard at the moment with the borders constantly being slammed shut haha. Hopefully, you get there soon, there is definitely a lot of beautiful places.

  3. Hannah

    Rottnest Island looks beautiful! I didn’t know it was a car-free place. I bet the lack of vehicles and their noise creates such a relaxing atmosphere! The quokkas look so cute! I’d love to meet them one day and get a selfie! It looks like you had a wonderful trip, thanks for sharing this great guide!

    1. Elyse

      Thank you so much Hannah. Yeah its so good not having cars around, the animals would love it and I loved it when I was riding my bike around the streets haha

  4. Cosette

    I always love how cute the quokkas look! Rottnest Island looks great and fantastic to explore on bike.

  5. Emma

    This is really one of my top bucket list places ever since my friend told me about Quokkas. They are so cute and although I’m glad to see there’s more to Rottnest Island than them, I definitely would love to see them. Great tips, hopefully I can make it there soon

    1. Elyse

      Thanks Emma, they are so cute, you’ll love it there

  6. Josy A

    Okay, so I have wanted to visit Rottnest island for a while (mostly to meet the quokkas) but it is good to see there is sooo much more than the world’s best selfie-cuties! I love the idea of cycling around the island and visiting those incredible beaches!

    1. Elyse

      Oh awesome, yeah there is definitely heaps to see 🙂

  7. Laura

    Never heard about this island! It looks wonderful to explore!! I hope to visit one day!

  8. Anne Betts

    I was hooked until the Dugite. No, not really, but thanks for mentioning it. I realize that travel in Australia involves being aware that it involves sharing the environment with venomous creatures. This is an excellent one-stop guide covering the main points needed to plan a trip to the island. I love that it’s car-free, bicycles are a popular way to get around, and that quokkas flourish in a predator-free environment.

    1. Elyse

      Thank you so much for your lovely comment Anne. haha Yeah the Dugite was scary but the only time I saw any venomous creatures lol Definitely something you need to prepare for when traveling in Australia

  9. Emma | The Checklist Chic

    This is a great guide. I’ve been to Rottnest island recently and did all these things. Highly recommend the trip. And how cute are the quokkas!

    1. Elyse

      Thank you so much for your comment. Yes they are gorgeous, I’m so keen to go back again

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