Aboriginally named Wadjemup by the Noongar people to mean “a place across the water”, Rottnest Island is located 18 km off the coast of Western Australia.
Commonly known as Rotto, the island has been an important local holiday destination, welcoming 450,000 day-trippers annually. And one of the main transportation to visit Rotto is via the ferry.
Departing from Barrack Street Jetty in Perth, our one and a half hour leisurely cruise towards Rotto provided us with a different perspective of Perth.
Along the way, we will also passed by Fremantle and Northport Ferry Terminal.
It is then out to the open sea heading towards Rottnest.
Upon arrival at Thomson Bay, our rented bicycles were ready to be collected.
Since there are no cars, except for a few buses on Rotto, cycling is the main mode of transportation if you wish to explore on your own.
With a total land area of 19 km2, it is said to only take us 2 hours to complete a loop around the island.
But do keep in mind that its 2 hours if you don’t stop at all. For us, we couldn’t even cover everything within six hours. Probably we just had too many stops. LOL!! Among the interesting stops around Rottnest include:
The Basin
Once awarded Australia’s Top Beach, The Basin is the most popular swimming location on the island.
Longreach Bay
Located next to The Basin, Longreach is another popular swimming spot. Beachfront holiday accommodation are on offered in the area.
Geordie Bay
One of the most popular boating bay on Rottnest.
Lake Herschel
One of the six salt lakes on Rotto. Other salt lakes in the vicinity are Lake Baghdad, Lake Vincent, Garden Lake, Government House Lake, and Serpentine Lake.
Oliver Hill
Rottnest was the site of an internment camp in both World War I and World War II. After WWII, the guns and infrastructure were decommissioned and parts of the railway removed. The 9.2-inch battery, however, was saved from disposal because the high cost of removing and shipping the guns to the mainland exceeded their value as scrap metal.
Today, Oliver Hill is a popular tourist attraction that includes tours over the guns and the tunnels with the journey to the battery being made on a purpose-built train (or in our case, by bicycle).
Green Island
It is said that fishing is a favourite past time on Rottnest, and Green Island Jetty is one of the popular spots for a good catch!! And I reckon that it is also the most scenic spot on Rotto!!
Roland Smith Memorial
Roland Smith was the longest serving member of the Rottnest Island Board of Control, whom helped to mark safe passages into the northern and western bays of the island. His friends erected this memorial in 1974 on the site of one of his first shore markers which helped to guide boats safely into Narrow Neck.
Wilson Bay
One of the most secluded beaches on the island. It is also well known for rock lobster diving.
Cape Vlamingh
Also known as the West End, Cape Vlamingh is the western most point and most exposed area of Rottnest Island, with no solid landmass between the point and Madagascar!!
And of course, a visit to Rottnest is not complete without the spotting of Quokkas.
Estimated to have a population of 10,000 throughout the whole island, Rottnest is one of the few areas in the world where the quokka lives.
After a full day of cycling, it is then time to leave Rottnest with the last express ferry bound for Barrack Street Jetty!! And guess what, we almost missed our ferry!!
