Rottnest Island

The star (first photo) of this island truly captivates! It’s undoubtedly one of my favourite experiences in Perth. You won’t want to miss it!

The environment is great ! Water is clean and clear . Beaches are very nice . Quokkas are cute . I would suggest that the rottnest explorer bus can operate more frequently and maybe using a larger bus, also extend the service time to 5pm instead of 3. We were stuck at bus stop 7 for 90 mins due to bus was full and can’t get on board . Time was insufficient for a day trip to explore the whole island . Stay overnight will be better . However accommodations were very full and even we can’t book 2 month in advance . Also more frequency on ferries especially for the return sector .

Great fun at Rottnest during winter. Much quieter and its still lovely. Trip over was a little rough, but back was fine. Great time had by us and the kids. Easy to getting into restaurants.

If you are visiting Perth, please don't miss a complete day trip to Rottnest Island. You will get a chance to see the Quokka's near to the entrance of the island. I traveled in Sealink rottnest. The benefits I got for a ticket price of AUD 102 is a) Hotel Pickup and drop within Perth CBD and b) 2hrs 45mins of Swan River Scenic Cruise from Perth to Fremantle (2 way) absolutely free of cost (this offer is not valid for all the times)

So chilled and relaxing. The bike ride was refreshing but tough at times. Lived all the wildlife and fresh air.

You need to spend an entire day to try and get everything in. Great walks around the island or catch the train or bus tour. The Quokkars are to die for. They are beautiful little animals who are gentle. The beaches and water is so beautiful. The only drawback were the flys. You will do the Australian salute a lot but it is well worth it. Great trip over on the boat and very safe. You can take a bike over or rent one.

nice landscape and good relax place, you can ride bike look around this island

We love Rottnest, but the facilities are poor especially the lack of toilets. The explorer bus service is a complete rip off , but the only way to get around the island without walking or a bike. Apart from this we love Rottnest and hope it never loses its charm

Been to the island more times than the locals Reminded me of Catalina Island off the coast in Los Angeles but 100x better If you are short of time, take the bus tour that's offered by the ferry service or the hop on hop off bus. Bus tour offers a quick tour around the island while hop on/off allows you explore more. There is also bike tour. And lastly, walk or hike option.

Bad bus service but otherwise excellent. Go see - literally - the cutest animal on earth. I had never visited Perth before. On the way there, I met someone who told me I *had* to go to Rottnest Island and see the Quokka. Once I saw a picture, I decided to go. I recommend you go, BUT be prepared. You will want to go swimming. So don't forget you towel, etc. If you're athletic or extremely patient with yourself, you can bike the island. But be aware it's all uphill and downhill. I'm old and lazy, so I took the bus. There are not enough busses. They are expensive and overcrowded. I would not say the island is overcrowded, but they do not have enough busses running and the busses are so packed that they are standing-room only and unsafe. For the money they charge, they can certainly pay to run more busses. On the positive side . . . we saw whales cruising along while we were on the ferry to the island. And I saw dolphins playing the just offshore. There are some pretty mundane things to see. The beaches are unbelievably beautiful. Gorgeous turquois water everywhere. Super kid-friendly and bike-friendly. I wish I had brought my "real" camera and not just my phone. But I'll be back, even though it's almost exactly halfway around the world. Finally - the Quokka cannot be oversold. They are so cute that I told my daughter I cannot bring home a stuffed toy or almost anything with a Quokka on it - because none of them are as cute as the real thing. One set of salt and pepper shakers was scary ugly. Anyway, the Quokka are absolutely adorably. If you're anywhere near Fremantle, set aside a day to visit Rottnest Island. Bring your swimsuit and a good camera. There are plenty of places on the island to buy food, water, and supplies.

Just came back from Rottnest Island, spent one day there with visiting guests from the UK. The ferry was quick & good value for money. The downside for us & our guests was the outrageous prices they were asking for bus tickets, $30 adults & $22 children. There was up to an hours wait for tickets and then they couldn't guarante a seat for maybe another hour. We decided to forget about using the bus and stayed in main Township instead. We ended up leaving 2 hours early. With all beautiful beach around Perth we have decided not to go to Rottnest in future and warning off any future guests we have of going.

We bought the package which included bike hire so my daughter and her cousin enjoyed the ride around the island while my sister, my brother-in-law and myself opted to take the bus tour. The bus tour went to the far end of the island which may have been difficult if we rode a bike, it is worthwhile going on the tour to see coastal scenery, osprey nests and a lighthouse. The bus tour starts shortly after the ferry arrives, and if you want time to walk around as well (which we did), make sure you book the latest return ferry in the afternoon. We also encountered quokkas, a native to Rottnest Island. Since quokka is so popular in the island, you can see them everywhere and you can even take selfies with them. Take note that you can't feed them food or give them water, or don't even touch one, Rottnest Island authorities will fine you a $300. It was really nice to see this beautiful island when we visited Perth, Australia. It is pricey but worth it! Highly recommend. Rottnest island is a must see.

If we had it to do over again we would not visit Rottnest Island. It was a very tough, crowded, and expensive trip. Our time would have been better spent on a local beach. First, making the reservation was tougher than we expected, because everything was booked. We ended up choosing to visit 01/02/20. The weather was perfect (a bit overcast) and the one beach we saw, Pinky Beach, was surreal--so beautiful. However, there were so many negatives, I wouldn't go back. We left Fremantle at 9:30 am and returned on the 3:30 pm boat. We thought this would be enough time and it would not overwhelm our toddler. It turned out to be not enough time and all three of us were overwhelmed. Second, we got seasick on the way over. The baby vomited. He wasn't the only one. They were walking around handing out barf bags. This was a high speed bumpy ride, don't expect to relax and sightsee on the way over. We had to wait on the jetty for our suitcase of beach stuff, not a bad wait but still a wait. Third, when we arrived at the island we didn't know what to do or what to expect. There were crowds of people and so many bikes. It was hard not to be on a bike and with a toddler. The stores were packed and we mistakenly stood in a line of people buying bus tickets even though we didn't buy bus tickets. All the while, we were recovering from the seasickness. After a visit to a playground (restaurant next to it wasn't open yet) we walked carrying all of our gear to Pinky Beach. It wasn't bad walk, there was even some shade. However, it was hard to get our gear and the baby there while dodging hundreds of kids and adults on bikes. There isn't really an area just for walking. The beach was beautiful, although, it isn't like we had it to ourselves. We hung out at the beach club for a bit and had lunch. The beach club was nice but expensive and not really nicer than the places we had been visiting in Fremantle. The time passed so quickly. We didn't get a chance to walk up to the lighthouse and somehow we didn't take any pictures of the beach. There was a lot of clock watching. On the return boat trip we got nauseous again, barf bags were handed out again. We didn't vomit on the way back but I regretted my rich lunch. We sat on the right side of the boat facing Fremantle. We had no view at all, just water splashing against the windows. They play an advertising video on a loop, everything there is to do on Rottnest Island. The video was frustrating for me because it didn't match our reality. When we got off the boat we lugged our stuff to the car, another walk, then I needed a soda water (for my stomach) and bathroom. It took me all evening to recover from the rough boat rides and I couldn't eat or sleep well. Our family would have had a much better day staying on the mainland.

I read reviews of people complaining the ferry ride price was too high-- no way! Worth every penny. A jam packed day of fun, exotic animals and sun. I got my ferry pass through sealink on special for a weekday. Smooth ride out of Fremantle, extremely friendly boat crew! 30 minute ride, so we arrived around 10am. I decided to hike since the day was beautiful. I visited Pinky Beach and Parakeet Bay. Climb the huge sand dune by parakeet bay for the best view EVERR!!! 7 miles of hiking later, I was pretty tired, so I headed back to the main shopping center area to relax and eat. Lots of neat restaurants, tour offers and gifts. Some of the restaurants were overpriced so I was glad I packed food. I saw so much cool wildlife on my hike as well!! Selfies with Quokkas, a crab, a peacock, skinks, and dolphins. Sunburned and smiling, we headed back to Fremantle at 3:30. A wonderful, beautiful island!

Rottnest Island is just one of the many things I loved about my time in Perth. It is such a unique place, and although I only made the trip here once, I'm so glad I did. My friends and I hopped aboard the ferry in Freo and spent the whole day on the island. We used the island bus to check out the different spots, and the bus drivers told us a bit about the history of the place as they drove. These buses are the only vehicles allowed on the island. You can travel via bus or bicycle only here, and that definitely adds to the charm and quietness of this place. We chose a beautiful, white-sand beach with a little "cave" as we called it to give us a bit of shade. Unfortunately, some nasty horse flies also thought this was a nice place to hang out, so we didn't stick around too long. We soon moved to another beach, and I loved how secluded the whole island felt. It was almost as if we had the whole place to ourselves. At one point, we spotted some quokkas, and immediately had to take pictures. These little critters (small marsupials that look like a cross between a wallaby and a rat) were obviously accustomed to humans, and came right up to us. In fact, they are the namesake of the island, which was called "Rotte Nest" (literally, "rat's nest") after a Dutch captain mistook them for big rats. I know now that I should not have pet one (see photo)... in fact, to do so carries a fine if you're caught... but I was a silly tourist at the time. But it didn't bite me, and besides, the statute of limitations has most likely passed ;) Overall this was a lovely, relaxing way to spend the day with friends. I only wish I'd made the journey here more than once during my stay. It is truly one of the most unique experiences you can have in Western Australia.

This is probably one of those must visit destinations if you end up in Perth, and it certainly worth it. The problem, other than being pretty pricey, is that it is also somewhat over-rated. There are some interesting places to visit, including the museum, and you can get bikes to ride around the island (it's actually pretty big so do expect to walk around it in the day you happen to be here). However, there happens to be one of everything, including a ferry that gets you from the mainland to the Island. However, it is a nature reserve, and the Quokkas are actually pretty friendly. In fact it won't take all that long for you to stumble across one, especially if you visit the area around the mall.

An hour from Perth lies this little island, all with a story to tell. We took the Rottnest Express Discovery Tour which went for 90 minutes and helped get our bearings of and around the island. It was so informative with history and made me appreciate this little island. Afterwards we had four hours to play with before the express would take us back to Perth. For lunch time there are plenty of cafe, bakery, pizza, Subway, Dome options. There's also a coffee and ice cream which both stay open when all the other look like they've shut for the day. You can find them and the general store right near the Salt House white building, which is all close to the jetty where the ferries are parked. The general store is exactly what it is, for groceries, fishing gear, other items and souvenirs. On the hunt to spot some of the islands natives, we went on a free 2:15pm Quokka Walk, which met right outside the Salt House. The volunteer was lovely and very sweet, at first we didn't see any, and then patience and positivism paid off when a few came out and about for some pictures. Sidenote: We were told that it is very important not to touch these animals, or feed them. They are not to get used to human food to rely on us, and their bodies have a hard time processing it. Also, if you touch a baby Quokka, the mother could disown it because it doesn't smell like her own anymore. Anyways, back to Rottnest. After the Quokka walk, we roamed around by foot. Bike rides made it look much faster to get around with vs walking but we didn't plan that far ahead with it. And you can, if you're local, bring your own bike from home. We walked to the salt lake lookout, to The Basin where the Bathurst Lighthouse is. It would've been a gorgeous beach to be in, if the water was warm and it was a sunny day. (Bathurst is the lighthouse that is beach side in some of the brochures picture.) We only spent one day here and boy the time flew by, there is that much to do. If you lived in Perth this would be the easiest getaway from the world. Just maybe stay away from school holiday time.

I wish it was possible to give this little piece of paradise more than five stars. There's just so much to love about it. Rottnest Island has some of the best beaches with the most amazingly blue water I've been to. You can take your pick from popular ones a short stroll from the cafes or take a bus or bike to some beautiful but sparsely populated ones. There's a few that are great for snorkelling. The settlement is a lovely place. There's some fantastic food options that aren't absurdly priced as well as a chemist and general store selling most necessities. With very few cars to get in your way, it's a nice place to relax and watch the human and animal residents of the island wander by. Of course no list of Rottnest highlights would be complete without talking about the quokkas. It's a little hard to believe that animals this delightful actually exist. They seem like something that might have escaped from a Pixar film. They're related to kangaroos but are tiny (roughly cat sized), furry, chubby and extremely cute. The quokkas are generally quite comfortable around humans and will sometimes even let you take a selfie with them! It's worth doing the free quokka walking tour. It's only been a week since I visited and I desperately want to go back. Of all the places I've been around the world, this ranks as one of my favourites.

If you're coming to Perth for the first time - don't neglect to come and visit Rottnest (or Rotto) as it is aptly named by us locals. Yes- the ferry tickets over to it are extremely overpriced. Why? because if they made the tickets cheaper, they would run out of hire bicycles all year round and people would get shitty. If you're a tourist - definitely do the ferry/ hire a bike/ hire a snorkel & mask and then cycle around the island. You can then stop off and have a snorkel at 'The basin' which is very child friendly and a sheltered little bay. If you are a little less mobile, there is a bus which you can hop on/hop off to the different bays and sights (Gun tower, tunnels, lighthouse). There are a colony of seals down at the very point of the island which are very cute. As I'm a local, i'm not going to talk about how fabulous the island is (which it is) or how ideal the beaches are (because they are) or how cute and unique the Quokkas can be (because they are damn cute). Top tips - - The food at the Governor's bar is better. - Don't take a selfie photo with a quokka, you'll end up with a triple chin. - Ladies, If you're having a shower in Geordie bay, use the shower closest to the toilets. The first one floods. - The snorkelling at the Basin is rubbish. Try ANY of the other bays. Parker point in particular. - In summer there are Cray fish to be seen if you can hold your breath enough to find them. You can spot them by their antenna. Unless you're a free diver or scuba diver you are not likely to catch them. - If you can stay the night at Rotto, I'd do it. - Hiking around the island is a lot of fun. Take water & watch out for snakes. - You'll always have a wait at DOME

Before there was super cheap flights to Bali, the popular family holiday destination was Rottnest Island. Back then, parents would let there children run wild cycling around, splashing around and only coming home for food. My sister and I would go a bit feral but have the time of our lives, taking bowls from the kitchen to make the most impressive sandcastles. We would tag along with newly made friends and go for rides or fishing, buy a dollars worth of lollies that would only last 30 minutes max and get a little sunburnt at the Basin. This are nearly the same and in a way its a time warp of the simplier life as you adapt to "island time". There is now free wifi in town and some of the shops have been done up and menus changed to include more gourmet and healthy options. Nevertheless, Rottnest will always dominate my summer holiday memories and be a great city getaway.

After going to Perth on business I had the opportunity to discuss with locals where to go and what to do - every single one told me get to Rottnest Island. So, a groups of friends headed out via a high speed ferry and got off on one of the most beautiful islands I have ever seen. With the exception of the area immediately near the pier - it is just a pure, non-commercialized tropical paradise. We biked around all day, saw a shipwreck in the water, visited a lighthouse, went swimming in just beautiful clear water... Would go back in a heartbeat!

If you're looking for a getaway from Perth and don't feel like driving three hours down South or five up North, take a 30 minute ferry ride to Rottnest island and you will feel far away from home, relaxed and in paradise. For those who like being active and sight seeing you should definitely hire a bike and ride around the island (beware this is pretty hectic if you're not fit!) and if you're more like myself who likes to simply relax and enjoy things the simple way; walk down to the many nearby beaches, lay on the white sand, swim in the crystal clear water and grab some lunch from either the Hotel Rottnest or the other little cafes around. Rottnest is really an untouched haven and I love that the cute little Quokkas, peacocks and other animal life roam around freely and comfortably among tourists and locals, it is a great place to come and get away from the "city" life even if it's only for a day. Definitely should be on your to do list if you haven't been yet!

To me it is really special that in under 30 minutes via ferry you can reach Rottnest Island and instantly feel as if you have reached another part of the world. The majority of visitors to the island are local Western Australians with many returning each and every year for overnight stays or day trips. The island is so popular that during the summer and Easter holidays there is a ballot and as the island becomes fully booked the ballot system gives everyone an equal chance to secure accommodation. A holiday on the island is simple, relaxed and slow. The facilities on the island offer convenience but not superior luxury. I love the outdoors and cycling, on the car free island the best way to get around is via a bicycle or the island bus. There is a path that loops the island and you can spend the day exploring the beaches and secluded bays. When we go over we take our bicycles, a beach tent and an esky of food and drinks. We cycle around the island and find a secluded bay to spend the afternoon swimming and lazing around. Late in the afternoon when the last ferry of 'day trippers' have left the island we cycle back to the settlement for dinner and drinks. The evening continues at The Rottnest Pub which overlooks the water, you can easily find a private spot at the pub and enjoy the quiet evening. The pub is children friendly and families also spend the evening here, the kids playing on the beach. To make the most of your stay, bring sunscreen (you will burn if you do not protect your skin), water and wear loose fitting clothes. There is not a lot of shade on the beaches (there is a sun shelter at The Basin and at Thomson Bay ) and I would highly recommend purchasing a sun shelter tent from either Bunnings, Reject Store or BCF. A sun shelter will give you a bit of flexibility in being able to venture to the quiet part of the beach. Head to the Basin in the afternoon as this part of the island is protected from the sea breeze. Cape Vladmingh is the west point of the island and offers expansion views of the wild part of the ocean and high limestone cliffs, a stark contrast from the calm bays around the settlement area. Cycling takes around 1.5 hours to reach the west end and the island bus also goes past this area.

Affectionately referred to as rotto, Rottnest Island is an island escape for many perth locals as well as a popular tourist attraction. Basically there are 3 main selling points for the island, the first being that it is an island- it's secluded, it's romantic and it's out of Perth (but just close enough that you could be home in an hour.) Secondly, it is activity central full of land and water based fun such as cycling and scuba diving- (fishing rates highly here also) and finally. . . QUOKKAS! (For anyone yet to encounter a quokka they are a hybrid of a rat and a joey, until recently I had a vague recollection of these creatures from my 12 year old memory. . . and boy have they put on weight!) The community is close knit but welcoming to the tourists and if you're a happy go lucky individual you will be welcomed and waved off like a familiar face. The local pub is the heart of the Island and there are few faster ways to integrate yourself than to hold your own in the fishing department. The shops are basic but alluring (and by alluring I mean stocked with necessities and inflated with island tax, another necessary evil as everything is freighted across.) Rotto is charismatic, charming and ever expanding (not in mass, but in resources and human traffic) Definitely a hot spot to check out.

Have been coming to Rottnest with my family every year. Have been going for the last 17 years and love it every year. The quality has gone up and down over the years but never disappoints. It is suited for everyone just make sure you avoid uni week or there will be a few drunk idiots around. Go to the west end just once or it wasn't a proper rotto visit. There are seals, dolphins and whales but with the last 2 it is completely up to luck. One year a dolphin swam up to the beach with its calf at Parakeet and another was near the little Jetties by the family restaurant at the shore. Take a bus tour and see the sea eagles nests, the rock shapes and beaches that you wouldn't have ever seen otherwise. The cinema isn't mainland quality but thats part of the charm. If you go make sure you take a pillow (and a rug in winter). Oh and never touch a quokka. They are wild animals and have fleas. They are cute though so take a photo!! In winter they have their babies which is extra awesome to see. We take our own bikes because we cycle everywhere and even take half a day to cycle around the island. This definitely took longer on our first try. But it is a great place. This was the best year yet.

I love Rottnest! It's true, I even have an 'I love Rotto' t-shirt to prove it. A lot of people compare it to a Greek island, in terms of climate and terrain, but it's very unique in a lot of ways. The beaches are some of the best in the world and even during the peak of summer you're able to get a beach all to yourself. Enjoy surfing, fishing, snorkeling and swimming on the island. The only way to get round the island is by bicycle or a small bus that picks you up at certain spots around the island. Oh and how could I forget the Quokkas, half rat, half kangaroo like creatures who tend to make themselves more visible to you at dusk and in the evening. These guys aren't shy and will probably pop into your house to say hi if you leave the door open! Rottnest is one of the million reasons why I feel so lucky to call Perth home.

Best holiday destination in Perth!! Even better when you arrive by helicopter! For a family holiday, it's the best place to be! Holiday at home first!

It took me three months to get out to Rottnest Island, but I finally did it and loved every minute of it. This review is not of specific places on the island--those are to follow--but rather of the place as a whole. It is especially worth visiting if you are not yourself originally from Perth or Western Australia: I'm a South Australian by birth and, while some people will talk up Kangaroo Island, that place and this one could not be farther apart. For one, rather important thing, this place sports quokkas: one of the weirdest creatures in the country. I was particularly excited about seeing one, but when I did it showed no signs of being afraid of me and instead came right on up. It thought it was people. At which point I decided that the thing was a rat and that I didn't want anything to do with it. I would suggest either hiring a bike or else taking the free shuttle bus around. The buses travel between certain points on the island every half an hour or so and the bus drivers tend to be very talkative, so be sure to have a conversation ready. You can tell them about how dirty you think quokkas are.

The whole island is beautiful, idyllic. As a lad from Birmingham, England, it felt like I'd fallen off the end of the world and landed in paradise. It's been nearly 25 years, but I've never forgotten the experience.

Aww Rottnest, how I miss you! One of the highlights of my Austrailian Adventure was the night I spent sleeping in a little cabin in the woods on Rottnest Island! Truly a great experience! Fabulous place to take in a little Aboriginal history, go scuba diving, take a spin to the top of Oliver Hill Battery, partake in Quokka photo-shoots (Yah, I'm that tourist) and climb to the top of a Light House! Now I understand it's pretty packed in the summer, but if you go during the winter you might just feel like Queen or King of the island. A little hint about winter though, if it's raining you won't be able to dive and perhaps it's better to splurge for the hotel instead of the cabin if you are traveling alone. Yep, those woods creeped this backpacker out! I'd do it again though, in a heartbeat!

Rottnest is a little island paradise, right on Perth's doorstep. Just a short ferry ride away, it's well worth a visit. The best way to see the island is by bike - you can hire one on the island - and you can easily get round it in a day, with plenty of stops for snorkelling, sunbathing and swimming on the way. The island's many bays are breathtakingly beautiful; round every bend you will find yourself stopping to take a photo of the pristine sand and the unvelievably blue water. Despite its popularity, once you're on the island you feel surprisingly isolated, in a Robinson Crusoe-esque kind of way - you'll find that you have many of the bays to yourself. Make sure you pop up to the lighthouse, where the Quokkas hang out. These cute and cuddly marsupials are clearly used to human contact - they're not afraid of you at all, and will come right up to you to steal your food and inspect your bike. If you want to make a holiday of it, there are plenty of accommodation options on the island, including hotels, cabins and camping, as well as two shopping villages with a variety of restaurants and shops. If you're in Perth, you've got to visit - it's a marvellous place.

Rottnest Island is a little holiday island off the coast of WA. You can reach it by a short ferry ride from Fremantle or Hillary's Boat Harbour, depending which is closest to you. The ticket over is about $50 and not the most bump-free of rides, but it doesn't last long and you're at your destination! Rottnest has been a local favourite for holidays since forever, if you grew up in WA you've likely been here countless times, and over the years it's slowly been building up. There is a main town area filled with cafes, bars and shops for all your needs. There is a little tour bus that can take you around and share the history of the island, I went on this once and actually found it quite interesting, there's more history to the island than you might think. A popular activity to do is hire out bikes and cycle round the island, going from beach to beach, this is actually a great deal of fun, the island can be hilly at times, but really it's not a hard ride and if it's too much, just stop off at the next beach and jump in the water. If you're cycling round make sure you cycle up to the lighthouse, its a fun achievement to say you've done, when you're back home you can look out to Rottnest and see the lighthouse and know you've touched it. All the beaches are stunning and great for snorkeling or diving, Since my family is from Newcastle in England, my favourite beach would have to be Geordie Bay, but that's just my bias talking! You can stay overnight at the island, either camping or in chalet accomodation, it's a great place to come away for a few days and enjoy the stunning waters and weather of WA. Just watch out around October time for school leavers coming out, it's a popular place they come to party and get a little drunk so you might want to check that you won't be staying during this time. But overall Rottnest is a little vacation from life, and look out for the Quokkas, the animals only found here!