Rottnest Island

Rottnest Island (Wadjemup) is a holiday island and nature reserve off the coast of Western Australia, known for its beaches, reefs and the native quokka. It sits offshore from Perth and Fremantle and is a popular day-trip and multi-day destination for swimming, snorkelling and cycling.

Visitors typically arrive by ferry into Thomson Bay, the island’s main settlement and service area, then explore beaches, bays and heritage sites by bicycle or shuttle bus; private cars are generally not permitted. Coastal features include sheltered swimming bays, limestone outcrops and fringing reefs that are popular for snorkelling and diving.

The island has a layered history from Aboriginal use to 19th-century European charting and subsequent uses for military, quarantine and recreation. Conservation management balances visitor services with protection of native flora and fauna, with the quokka serving as the island’s iconic species.

Rottnest lies roughly 18 kilometres off the coast of Perth/Fremantle in the Indian Ocean, with ferry connections from mainland ports; the island’s low, sandy and limestone terrain contrasts with the metropolitan coastline on the mainland.

• Transport rules: The island is car-free for visitors; bicycles and small buses are the primary ways to get around, supporting day-trips and multi-day stays.
• Name and wildlife: Named 'Rottnest' by Dutch explorer Willem de Vlamingh in 1696 after he mistook the endemic quokka for a giant rat; the quokka is now the island's best-known mammal.

What to See #

• Thomson Bay: Thomson Bay, the main settlement and ferry landing with visitor services, accommodation and bicycle hire for exploring the island.
• Wadjemup Lighthouse: Wadjemup Lighthouse, the principal lighthouse on the island located on a high central point and providing panoramic coastal views.