Rottnest Island day trip: ferry, bikes and quokkas

A Rottnest Island day trip is simple to plan: catch a ferry from Perth or Fremantle, hire a bike when you land, and be back on the mainland by evening. The island lies about 19 km off the coast, there are no private cars, and the quokkas are protected wildlife that you must not feed or handle.

This guide covers the trip in order: the journey over, moving about the island, things to do on the day and how to treat the animals well.

Sources for this section: Wikipedia, Rottnest Island; Rottnest Island Authority, official visitor information.

Getting there by ferry

Ferries run mainly from Fremantle. Some services also leave from central Perth, and other operators sail from Hillarys boat harbour, north of the city. Rottnest Express has run ferries to the island since the late 1950s, so compare its timetable with the other operators before you book.

Fremantle gives you the shortest crossing. A Perth departure gives you a longer ride but saves the drive and the parking. Summer weekends and school holidays fill up, so book ahead in January.

Many operators sell a ticket that bundles the ferry with a bike, a bus tour or a snorkel. These packages are easy to book and work well if you have only one day. Check the first and last sailing times and plan your day around the last ferry home.

Sources for this section: Wikipedia, Rottnest Island; Rottnest Island Authority, getting to the island.

No private cars on the island

Private cars are not allowed on Rottnest. Only service and emergency vehicles and the island bus are permitted. Leave your car on the mainland.

That keeps the island quiet. You get around on foot, by bike or on the bus service that links the main settlement with the bays.

Your ferry lands at Thomson Bay, the main settlement. It faces the mainland on the north-eastern side of the island. Shops, cafes and bike hire are close to the jetty, so you can sort out food and wheels before you set off.

Sources for this section: Wikipedia, Rottnest Island; Rottnest Island Authority, visitor rules.

Hiring bikes

Cycling is the main way people see Rottnest. The island is about 19 square km, so a bike gets you to most beaches in a day. You can bring your own bike on the ferry or hire one on the island.

Hire shops sit near Thomson Bay. You can also add a bike to your ferry ticket when you book, which saves queuing on arrival. Ask about a helmet and a lock when you hire.

• Pick up your bike early. It is best to be on the road before the middle of the day.
• Check the brakes and the seat height before you leave the shop.
• Carry water. Shade is limited and the roads have hills.
• Return the bike with time to spare before your ferry.

Most of the roads are sealed but sandy patches and gravel edges can catch you out. Slow down on corners and give walkers room.

Sources for this section: Wikipedia, Rottnest Island; Rottnest Island Authority, getting around.

What to do on the day

The beaches are the main drawcard. The Basin, on the northern side, is a sheltered spot for swimming. It is also where the Dutch navigator Willem de Vlamingh anchored in 1696. Many bays around the coast suit swimming and snorkelling when the sea is calm.

If you want history, the island has Wadjemup, its Noongar name. Between 1838 and 1931 it held Aboriginal prisoners, with a pause from 1849 to 1855, and many died there. The Quod, built in 1863 and 1864, is part of that story. Take time to read the signs and treat these places with respect.

The Oliver Hill railway is another option. It opened to visitors in 1994 after restoration and runs on an old military line. The island also has two lighthouses, Bathurst and Wadjemup, which still guide ships.

A simple plan is to land, hire bikes, ride to a quiet bay for a swim, eat lunch in Thomson Bay and take the bus or bike for a second look in the afternoon. Then return to the jetty early.

Sources for this section: Wikipedia, Rottnest Island.

Meeting the quokkas

Rottnest is one of the few places where quokkas still thrive. They are small marsupials that Vlamingh mistook for large rats when he named the island. A 2007 estimate put the island population at 8,000 to 12,000 animals.

Quokkas are mostly active at night and rest in thick bushes by day. You often see them near the settlement at dusk, and on a day trip you may see some near shade and water in the village.

• Do not feed them. Human food such as bread can make them sick. Feeding is against the island rules.
• Do not touch or pick them up. Handling the animals is not allowed.
• Keep your distance. Watch quietly and let them come to you.
• Take your rubbish home. Leave nothing behind for the animals to eat.

The Rottnest Island Authority manages the reserve and its rangers enforce these rules. Late summer and autumn are hard for quokkas, because food and water are scarce, so please do not offer them anything.

Sources for this section: Wikipedia, Quokka; Rottnest Island Authority, wildlife rules.

Packing for the day

The island sun is strong in summer and shade is scarce. Wear a hat, use sunscreen and carry plenty of water. Bring swimmers, a towel and sturdy shoes. A light backpack is easier than a bag in your bike basket.

Shops and cafes in Thomson Bay sell food, but prices are higher than on the mainland, so many visitors bring a picnic. Check the weather before you leave. This is general information, not medical advice.

Sources for this section: Rottnest Island Authority, visitor information.

Sources

1. Wikipedia, Rottnest Island: en.wikipedia.org
2. Wikipedia, Quokka: en.wikipedia.org
3. Rottnest Island Authority, official site: rottnestisland.com