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Discover Rottnest Island on a Short Break Tour

Just 18 kilometres off the coast of Fremantle, is the popular and picturesque island getaway, Rottnest Island. It’s a perfect daytrip or short break destination. You can visit Rottnest independently or as part of a short break tour of Perth....
22 June, 2018

Just 18 kilometres off the coast of Fremantle, is the popular and picturesque island getaway, Rottnest Island. It’s a perfect daytrip or short break destination. You can visit Rottnest independently or as part of a short break tour of Perth. Here is why you should visit “Rotto”, as the locals call it.

Beaches

You are spoilt for choice with over 63 secluded white sanded beaches and 20 bays. Take a dip in sheltered beaches such as The Basin, or the sheltered Thompson Bay. Further afield enjoy a relaxing beach time on Parakeet Bay or Little Salmon Bay. The waves of Rottnest Island renowned in the world of surfing, with Strickland Bay ranked in the top 50 breaks in the world.

Rottnest Island

Diving and Snorkelling

With its protected lagoons, coral reefs and shipwreck sites, Rottnest Island is a diver’s paradise. Popular snorkelling spots include The Basin, Parakeet Bay, Parker Point, Little Salmon Bay and Little Armstrong Bay. Discover the 400 species of fish and twenty species of coral that are found within the Marine Reserve.

Seals and Whales

Watch New Zealand Fur Seals frolic from The Cathedral Rocks viewing platform. The seals can be seen with the naked eye but there are viewing binoculars to take you up closer. Follow the pathway around to the island’s westernmost point, Cape Vlamingh. During the winter months you can spot humpback whales on their annual migration.

Humpback Whale Rottnest Island

Scenic Walks

If you like walking, history and panoramic views take a half day walk. Explore the beauty of Salmon Bay before you join the trail cut towards Oliver Hill. Here is where the impressive World War II guns are located. Continue the trail to Wadjemup Lighthouse where you can take a tour to the top. The stunning panoramic views are well worth the effort.

Lighthouse Love

Lighthouse lovers can explore two lighthouses and the stunning views they offer. After several shipwrecks occurred in spite of there being a 16 metre lighthouse since 1846, Wadjemup Lighthouse was completed 1896 and stands today with a range of 26 nautical miles. A second lighthouse, Bathurst Lighthouse was completed in 1900, to allow navigators to make a safer passage to the island's shores.

Bathurst Lighthouse Rottnest

Car free roads

Rottnest Island is a no public car zone but there are buses. Cycling is one of the best ways to enjoy the island’s infinite beauty. There are plenty of options to hire a bike to explore the island. Segway Tours are an alternative and exciting eco-friendly way to discovery and explore Rottnest’s hidden treasures.

Quokkas

Considered to be Australia’s happiest marsupial, these friendly little macropods were originally mistaken to be big rats and hence the island was named Rottnest (Rat’s nest) by Dutch explorer Willem de Vlamingh. Quokkas make everyone smile and are a social media hit! They are quite used to humans fawning over them and photographing them, but they are still wildlife. No, you can’t take one home, cute as they are!

Rottnest Quokka
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