Overview
Rottnest Island (Wadjemup in Noongar) is a car-free island 19 km off Fremantle, renowned for its 63 white-sand beaches, turquoise bays, and the quokka — a small marsupial found almost nowhere else on earth. Visitors explore by bicycle or on foot.
Highlights
- Quokka encounters: The island's roughly 10,000 quokkas are famously photogenic and unafraid of humans.
- The Basin: A sheltered, crystal-clear swimming cove that consistently ranks among Australia's best beaches.
- Oliver Hill Battery: WWII-era gun emplacements connected by a heritage railway tour.
History
The island was used as an Aboriginal prison from 1838 to 1931, a painful chapter now commemorated by interpretation sites. It was declared an A-class nature reserve in 1917 and is a major tourism drawcard, welcoming around 800,000 visitors per year.
Visitor Tips
- Ferry: Rottnest Express operates from Perth (Elizabeth Quay) and Fremantle; the crossing takes 25–90 minutes.
- Bike hire: Available at the jetty from $30/day.
- Duration: A full day (5–8 hours) is recommended to cycle the 22 km island loop.