Rottnest Island Tours Info

Rottnest Island Tours

A pleasant day trip from Perth or Fremantle, small Rottnest Island has white sand beaches, fantastically blue water, friendly unique wildlife and a turbulent history. Ferries leave throughout the day and competition among the operators keeps prices changing. We paid A$55 per person for a day return and there are concession and other rates, but you should check out a few different services to find what best suits your needs. The thing to do upon arrival is hire a bike at the only bike shop on the island (A$20 per day when we were there) and sedately tour the mostly flat, traffic free island, stopping off at coves and bays for a dip when the mood takes you. It was 40º C during our visit so biking was slow going indeed.
The island was used by the white settlers as a prison mainly for Aborigines who were seen to be obstructing the white takeover of land around Fremantle and Perth. Buildings used for the prison and barracks as well as a lighthouse still stand, the barracks actually having been turned into accommodation for those who wish to stay overnight or for a few days. I’m sure that many people have restful holidays here but I personally could not sleep in a place where so much pain and misery had been inflicted on innocent Aborigines.
As you cycle around, it is impossible not to notice the endearing quokkas, cat-sized marsupials that were mistaken for rats by ignorant Dutch explorers (hence the island’s name). Used to tourists, they emerge out from under trees where they rest to escape the midday heat, in hopes of being fed.
Other wildlife include dugite snakes (dangerous), many varieties of coastal birds including ospreys and wedge-tailed shearwaters and coral reef fish just offshore. On one occasion when we went for a swim, there were a couple of incidents of stingers, a type of jellyfish that feels like a wasp sting but you usually don’t see the animal until it’s too late.
The choice spot of the day was Parakeet Bay, a white crescent of sand sloping down to a glassy blue-green sea with a few sleek sailboats moored out in the bay. One end of the beach has a steep sand dune – perfect for clambering up and then running down at top speed, straight into the water.
After a full day of bikes, sun and sand, we gathered at the pub by the jetty for a cleansing ale and restorative fish and chips before heading back to Perth.

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