ROTTNEST ISLAND – WADJEMUP

BAY, ROTTNEST ISLAND

ENTER A DIFFERENT FRAME OF MIND WHEN STEPPING FOOT ON ROTTNEST ISLAND (WADJEMUP), AN A-CLASS RESERVE RENOWNED FOR SECLUDED BAYS AND LAID-BACK ADVENTURES.

By TOM SPARK

SURROUNDED BY THE expanse of the Indian Ocean, just 19km from the coast of Perth, the secluded Rottnest Island is such a profoundly special place. It’s a place resonating with a powerful sense of connection pulsating through its brilliant bays and sheltered beaches, untamed bushland, and laidback, simple lifestyle. It’s a place to make memories with the family, and to meditate with one’s self. It’s a place so many generations of Western Australians reminisce upon as they reflect on joyful family adventures set to coastal backdrops and otherworldly sunsets.

It’s also a place that holds painful memories for Noongar people whose family members were incarcerated on the island from 1838 to 1931, warranting deep contemplation and an understanding of its relevance to Aboriginal people when visiting the island. There’s plenty to learn here for those who are curious, and the Wadjemup Museum and an immersive tour with Go Cultural Aboriginal Tours and Experiences are ideal places to start.

Arrive on the island via ferry, or by air, and feel completely at ease with zero tra c, free from crowds and city life. The iconic mode of transport on the island is a bicycle, while regular hop-on-hop-off buses and segway tours are also available.

Get to know Rottnest Island on a hike of the Wadjemup Bidi, comprised of five trails that showcase various landscapes and scenery from coastal headlands to stunning inland lakes. The Hike Collective curate accessible tours, with The West End Guided Hike a favourite for its access to views of playful long-nosed fur seals from Cathedral Rocks.

TIP // The private, seven-seater electric Quokka Hopper transfer runs on-demand from Thomson Bay to Geordie Bay, stopping at a dozen convenient locations in between.

Let the wind whip through your hair and feel the sunshine on your back when cycling around to discover the island’s collection of serene lakes and swimming spots.

The breadth of incredible snorkelling opportunities available is unparalleled. Take a Rottnest Snorkel Experience Tour for local insights, indulge with a ‘Snorkel & Sail’ tour on the iconic Capella catamaran through Charter 1, or define your own adventure. While there are more than sixty beaches and twenty bays to choose from, the shallow reefs of The Basin swimming hole, underwater trail markers and colourful fish of southern Little Salmon Bay, and the coral of Parakeet Bay all make these stand-out choices for snorkelling.

TIP // Book ahead to hire a bike, snorkel gear, or a SUP board from Pedal & Flipper

Experience the ocean from another vantage point when taking the plunge with Skydive Geronimo — the only island skydive experience in Australia. And to reward yourself and relax the nerves, indulge with a Luxe Seafood Cruise through Rottnest Cruises. Enjoy seafood as fresh as it gets as you draw your own lobster pot to the surface before docking in one of the island’s pristine bays for a freshly cooked, seven-course banquet on the boat.

That’s not the only taste of luxury you’ll experience on Rottnest Island. The island boasts a spread of waterfront, alfresco dining options with sweeping views of the horizon, just steps from the sand. Hotel Rottnest, Isola Bar e Cibo, Lontara, and Pinky’s Beach Club are some of the finer options that will tantalise the tastebuds. While in the main settlement find classics like the Rottnest Bakery, where the vanilla slice is to die for; Frankie’s on Rotto, where the pizzas are fresh; and The Lane Café, where the Cray Dogs are a must-try.

While day trips are easily done, immersing yourself into island life by staying several nights is ideal. There’s a wide breadth of options available — from the family-friendly campground a stone’s throw from

The Basin, to self-contained cabins and chalets, eco-glamping at Discovery Parks Rottnest Island, to the premium Samphire Rottnest resort overlooking Thomson Bay. There’s plenty more to explore for history buffs too, with Rottnest having played a significant role in both World Wars. Once the location for military training and defence, cycle up or catch the bus to Oliver Hill to visit the gun tower and the maze of underground tunnels.

 Discover more Rottnest Island Visitor Centre, End of the Main Jetty, Rottnest Island

+61 8 8372 9730

If you’ve heard one thing about Rottnest Island, it’s probably about the little marsupials known as quokkas that are synonymous with the area. Quokkas can be found just about everywhere on the island, often hopping about through the main settlement and grazing on grass, leaves and shrubs at Garden Lake. Rottnest owes its English name to the quokkas – when Dutch explorer Willem de Vlamingh stumbled across the island in 1696, he mistook them for rats and named their home Rotte Nest, meaning rat’s nest. Please observe the quokkas from a respectable distance.