Explore I ROTTNEST ISLAND
FACT BOX How to get there:
A view to the Wadjemup Lighthouse from Geordie Bay. TOP RIGHT: Rotto is a favourite with kids. BELOW LEFT: A local quokka says hi; Stay in heritage cottages on Vincent Way.
you don’t need a car,” he says. “The supermarket still does home delivery, and we’ll even put your groceries in the fridge.”
PHOTOGRAPHY ROTTNEST ISLAND AUTHORITY
A natural wonder The honey-coloured sand and azure waters of Rotto’s 63 bays are a salve to the eyes. Edged by limestone rock and low scrub, some have great snorkelling and others boast epic waves. The elevated temperature of the Leeuwin Current, a southflowing body of water that envelops Rottnest, means diverse coral gardens and 135 tropical fish species survive in this southern reach of the Indian Ocean. Comparatively, along the metropolitan coast, only 11 tropical fish species
74-77_EXPLORE_ROTTNEST IS.indd 77
Rottnest’s “back-to-thebasics” style is what makes it special have been counted. There are enough activities to justify an extended stay too. Guides wearing yellow T-shirts give free tours of every historical and natural aspect of the island. Some 45km of trails, developed by the Wadjemup Bidi Project, lead to a new seal-viewing platform at Cathedral Rocks at the island’s western end.
There are multiple ferry trips to Rottnest daily. Fares are cheapest on Tuesdays. One departure option is Fremantle’s B-Shed, left of the train station, which only takes 25 minutes. Rous Head at Northport Ferry Terminal is ideal if you need a car park. Two-wheeled Segway vehicles are available for hire too and organised tours roll off-road to World War II military remnants, while skydives from 15,000 feet deliver aerial views. There are also tours by bike or bus, island circumnavigations by boat and scenic flights Trust us when we say a day trip really isn’t long enough.
Our tip: Depart from Barrack Street jetty in Perth to score a scenic cruise of the Swan River, which eventually meets the ocean.
Where to stay: Rent one of the basic-butcharming Rottnest Island Units – we love staying at Thompson Bay or Geordie Bay. Heritage View Cottages have fantastic outlooks.
77
Where to eat: Hotel Rottnest, the bakery or Geordie’s Café.
Getting around:
Travel info Jetstar has great low fares to Perth from across the network. To book, visit JETSTAR.COM
Take a quokka selfie*
Rottnest is car-free, so bring or hire a bike (book one with your ferry ticket or rent one on the island), or simply walk around. There’s also a hop-on, hop-off Island Explorer bus.
Best time to visit: October to April. Beware the crowds in January.
#quokkaselfi
e
*Quokkas are protected, so be careful not to touch or feed them.
12/09/2016 2:54 PM