It doesn't sound like a particularly scenic destination - called "Rotte nest" (meaning "rat nest") because in the 17th century a Dutch sea captain mistook the
Quokkas for giant rats - but Rottnest Island is in fact a very beautiful small
Island indeed.
Rottnest Island, known as Wadjemup to the local Noongar people, and 'Rotto' to the local Ozzies, is 11 miles west of Fremantle and covers a mere 7.3 square miles. It has its own Island Authority and no cars are allowed on the island (other than a few services vehicles and tourist buses.) It's pushbikes all the way on Rotto.
There are daily ferry services from Perth and Fremantle to the island and, while the crossing isn't very long, things can get rather frisky due to the windy conditions here. This can make you feel a bit queasy and it doesn't really help when the broadly smiling crew member comes around offering sick bags to passengers. Just fix your eyes on the horizon and concentrate on the rainbows that appear in the spray and you'll be there in a jiffy. At least that's what I did, as I've never been the best sailor.
This low lying island is a protected nature reserve and home to the world famous quokkas, a vulnerable native Australian species. The quokkas only exist in small pockets elsewhere and Rottnest island is home to the last large population of them anywhere on earth. This small furry marsupial about the size of a cat, hangs about in the bushes all over the island but you are most likely to spot them at the side of the road. Finding them is easy as they have very little fear of humans and seem to be naturally friendly and curious animals. We came across several little parties of them, some with mums and baby micro quokkas, which are unfeasibly cute. They hopped over to say hello, explore our bikes and try to sniff out food in our rucksacks. You're aren't supposed to feed them at all and I was admonished by the local wardens for giving a small piece of apple to one - even though it was a Western Australian apple.
The quokkas have brown and grey rabbit like fur, and quite short fur covered tails. They also have the cutest little ears and round black teddy bear eyes and possess the quite astonishing ability to smile (even some humans seem to struggle with this) and so selfies with smiling quokkas have become an internet sensation. This apparent ability to smile at us, has given them the reputation of being 'the happiest animals on the planet.' Of course I couldn't resist rolling around under the spiky bush in the quokka poo with my selfie stick, getting bitten by horse flies, to achieve the perfect snap with these charming animals, and my chosen quokka did not disappoint!
Rottnest island separated from the mainland about 7,000 years ago and is home to a number of bird species including the osprey, and we actually saw one sitting on its nest atop a pile of sticks on a rock while we were there. The island has colonies of Australian sea lions and southern fur seals and is home to three endemic tree species, notably the Rottnest Island pine. Human artifacts have been discovered here dating back at least 30,000 years but it was uninhabited when the Dutch sailors discovered this enchanting place..
Other than the adorable quokkas, the island's coastline is dotted with the most beautiful little coves and beaches. With pure white sand fringing the turquoise seas, rock pools make shallow reefs and bands of water creating different patches of lighter greens and blues visible from the clifftop road in the stunning sunshine. As pretty as anything you will see in the Caribbean or more touristy island destinations like Mauritius, Rottnest island has a lot less people too!
You can hire bikes or take your own on the ferry crossing, and there are about 11 miles of safe cycling all the way around the island, up and down on quiet roads and to and from all these lovely little beaches. We weren't quite sure what the name was of the one we stopped off at, for a bit of a rest after some vigorous pedalling, but there was literally no one else there when we arrived. It really is like paradise, Robinson Crusoe would definitely have approved.
There are quite a few hills to tackle on Rotto so it's does take a bit of effort to cycle all around it, and I struggled a bit up the very steep hill to the Wadjemup lighthouse. It was worth it though, I do love a lighthouse.
Beaches on Rottnest include Ricey beach, Parakeet and Porpoise Bay, Crayfish and Fishook Bay and of course of particular interest to me, Wilson Bay and Geordie Bay!
We do have some lovely beaches on our North East coast at home, but not quite like this one here...
The crystal clear waters, fine powder white sand, coral reefs and unique wildlife make this a very special place indeed. Access to Rottnest is carefully controlled and while there is some accommodation here, it is limited and quite expensive, so things have remained largely unspoiled. The old buildings from the 1800's give the place a rather quaint air, and the happy quokkas largely have the island to themselves after the last ferry has gone.
We rode back into Thomson Bay to catch our ferry home and I partook of a salted caramel ice cream courtesy of Simmos ices, and there are so many flavours, it is indeed a delicious dilemma.
Prettier than any picture, and home to the uniquely adorable quokkas, Rottnest island is a hidden gem, and a must do if you ever get to travel to this sunny, surprising side of the world.
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| Spectacular beaches on Rottnest Island |
