Rottnest Island

Rottnest Island sits 19 km off the coast of Perth, Western Australia. But before it was anyone's holiday destination, it was Wadjemup, a deeply sacred site for the Whadjuk Noongar people, whose name for it translates to "place across the water where the spirits are." Then came colonisation.

Between 1838 and 1904 the island was used as a prison for Aboriginal people, and as a forced labour camp until 1931. Nearly 400 prisoners died there and were buried in unmarked graves. The former prison buildings were converted into holiday accommodation and remained in use until 2018.

That's the part a lot of visitors gloss over, but it matters. Today, the Rottnest Island Authority and Whadjuk Traditional Owners work together to acknowledge and interpret this history honestly. The island is a Class A Nature Reserve, car-free, and home to between 10,000 and 12,000 quokkas — a small marsupial Dutch explorer Willem de Vlamingh mistook for giant rats in 1696 (hence "Rat's Nest Island").

A permanent population of about 100 people lives here year-round, but the island draws over 700,000 visitors annually. It's compact — roughly 18 sq km — and every road, trail, and beach is shared by cyclists, walkers, and quokkas. The vibe is deeply relaxed, slightly sun-dazed, and entirely car-free.

Always acknowledge the Whadjuk Noongar heritage when on island — Wadjemup is a spiritual site, not just a backdrop for selfies. The Wadjemup Museum is free and worth an hour of your time.. Do not feed quokkas.

Not even a crumb. Their natural diet is leaves, bark, and grass. Human food makes them sick, and it's also illegal under WA wildlife law..

Don't try to touch or pick up quokkas either. They're wild animals. Stand still, be patient, and they will walk right up to you on their own terms — usually within minutes near the Thomson Bay settlement..

Street drinking is strictly prohibited across Western Australia, including Rottnest. Keep drinks in licensed venues or your accommodation.. The island is car-free.

You cycle, walk, or catch the shuttle bus. Don't expect to hail a ride anywhere — it doesn't work that way here.. Book accommodation 9 months in advance if visiting during summer school holidays (December–January).

Stay Rottnest opens bookings on the first Wednesday of each month for the date 9 months out — and they fill fast. Missing that window means paying significantly more for alternatives.. If you're visiting for the first time, do the free Rottnest Voluntary Guides Association walking tours offered out of the Salt Store Information Centre.

They run multiple walks including a quokka walk and a history of the settlement walk. Zero cost, genuinely good.

Rottnest Island is very safe. Violent crime is essentially non-existent. The main hazards are environmental.

Ocean swimming carries genuine rip risks — the waters look calm and flat from shore but currents can be strong, especially at exposed beaches outside the sheltered bays. The Basin and Geordie Bay are safer for less confident swimmers. The Australian sun is extremely intense.

Sunburn happens fast here — bring SPF 50+ and reapply constantly, particularly when cycling. Cyclists share all roads with the shuttle bus and service vehicles — there are no car-free bike lanes as such, just shared paths. Helmets are mandatory and included with all bike hire.

Quokkas look cuddly but do scratch and bite if they feel cornered. Don't handle them. Don't let children chase them.

The ocean around the island is a marine reserve — fishing is restricted in certain zones. Check current regulations with the Visitor Centre on arrival. Weather can change quickly.

The 2026 Rottnest Channel Swim was cancelled due to hazardous sea conditions in February. Ferry services are occasionally reduced or cancelled in poor weather (as happened in late March 2026).

Three ferry operators run regular services to Rottnest. Rottnest Express departs from both Fremantle B-Shed and Perth Barrack Street Jetty (Pier 4). SeaLink Rottnest Island departs from Fremantle Victoria Quay and Perth Barrack Street.

Rottnest Fast Ferries departs from Hillarys Boat Harbour, about 20 minutes north of Perth, with free parking available. The fastest crossing is Fremantle to Rottnest — 25–30 minutes. From Perth city it's about 90 minutes.

From Hillarys it's 45 minutes. All three operators run year-round daily services, with up to 7+ sailings a day from Fremantle. Book in advance — summer and school holiday departures fill quickly.

On the island itself, there are no private cars. The main options are cycling (the full loop is about 22 km), the Rottnest Island Explorer Bus (hop-on hop-off, day pass available from Visitor Centre, 19 stops including Wadjemup Lighthouse and West End), or walking. The Explorer Bus also offers a guided 90-minute circuit tour.

Bike hire is on Bedford Avenue at Pedal & Flipper, or you can pre-book with your ferry ticket and collect it from the jetty on arrival. Note: Parking near the B-Shed ferry terminal in Fremantle is currently undergoing renovations — allow extra time and expect to pay around $85/day at the terminal car park, or find street parking about 300m away for roughly $20/day.