Incredible reasons to visit Rottnest Island (apart from quokka selfies)

Pristine turquoise beaches, endless beautiful walks, adorable quokka companions and delicious dining: find all this and more to enjoy on Western Australia’s Rottnest Island.

By Alana House

The hashtag #quokkaselfies started trending on Instagram about 10 years ago when the world discovered how cute these little marsupials look in photos. They’ve been dubbed the "world's happiest animals" because their mouth naturally curves to look like a smile

Western Australia’s Rottnest Island is home to the world's largest population of quokkas. They have attracted tourists from around the world, including the occasional celebrity. Chris Hemsworth, Hugh Jackman and Roger Federer have all posed for a selfie with the happy critters.

I have visited Rottnest Island twice in recent years and become a big fan of both the island and its famous furry inhabitants.

While it’s possible to enjoy Rottnest Island on a day trip, I recommend spending a few nights there as it's such a gorgeous spot, especially when the hundreds of day trippers have departed and a more peaceful vibe descends.

62 beaches to wander around

There are more than 62 beaches and 20 bays to explore on the island, featuring turquoise water and stunning white sand. These stunning havens stretch along 45 kilometres of walking paths and 22 kilometres of bike trails, while still being close to a wide range of cafes, restaurants and bars.

Rottnest Island also features accommodation for every budget. 

There is a camping ground, a range of self-contained apartments and older-style houses that look like school camp accommodation from my childhood, glamping options at Discovery Resorts, and an upmarket hotel called Samphire.

I visited with my daughter and chose to stay at Samphire as a pre-university getaway celebration. While a little more expensive, it's a gorgeous experience if you feel like treating yourself.

We caught the Rottnest Express ferry from Perth and enjoyed a picturesque 90-minute trip along the Swan River and out to sea. There are also regular ferries departing from Fremantle to the island.

It was a gorgeous, sunny day when checked into Samphire and we toasted our arrival with a Pineapple Margarita from its Bayside Bar. Even if you're not staying at Samphire, I recommend sipping a cocktail at the sand-floored bar – it’s a great spot to settle in the late afternoon.

Quokka-gate

As for the famed quokkas, the island’s habitat supports around 12,000 of them since there are no natural predators. 

You'll probably spot a few in the village the moment you step off the ferry. Actually, more than a few. Most stores have installed quokka gates - similar to baby gates - to keep the little critters from getting underfoot. 

But my favourite way to see quokkas is in the wild at around 4-5pm in the afternoon, when they come out to feed.

On my first visit to the island I discovered a clearing near Garden Lake that was filled with mummy quokkas with adorable little babies in their pouches.

I took my daughter there on my second visit and we were rewarded with another slice of quokka heaven. 

After taking 50 million photos we wandered to Pinky’s Beach which is famed for its sunsets, and overlooked by the picturesque Bathurst Lighthouse.

Pinky’s is also a lovely, calm spot for a swim, as it’s located in a sheltered bay with aquamarine water.

Seagulls with expensive taste

After our dip we settled into the beachside bar for a cool drink and buffalo wings. If you order food on your visit, be sure to protect it from the seagulls - they are absolute terrors! 

We watched a seagull steal a man’s $48 steak when he took his eyes off his dinner for a split second.

Pinky’s Bar is also bliss for quokka lovers as dusk descends, they are literally EVERYWHERE. 

My daughter accidentally kicked one under our table at one point, not realising it was underfoot. Later, as we wandered back to our hotel along the beach, a baby quokka joined my daughter for a stroll. So cute!

Getting around is easy

There are very few vehicles on the island, so most people either walk, hire bicycles or catch the hop-on-hop-off bus. 

It was a sweltering November week when we visited so we opted for the bus on the second day of our visit and went full circle around the island, scoping out our favourite spots. 

We chose to return to Little Salmon Bay for a swim, which had the most incredibly white sand and turquoise water.

It was also amazing to see a 75-year-old osprey nest still in use at nearby Salmon Point.

Food options as abundant as the quokkas

As for my top dining tips, Samphire is located next door to Hotel Rottnest, which serves reasonably-priced classics like chicken shawarma and pizzas. 

It’s a buzzing hive of activity every evening as people gather to watch the sun go down. If you’re on a budget, self-catering is also easy with the island’s well-stocked general store closeby.

I’d been told to try a Cray Dog from The Lane Cafe and the recommendation was spot on – it was worth every expensive mouthful. Expect to pay around $25 for this delicious roll, featuring grilled crayfish marinated in garlic and olive oil topped off with jalapeno mayo.

Afterwards we enjoyed scoops of honeycomb Simmos Ice Cream. The local Western Australian ice creamery was once voted one of The Top 15 Ice Creameries in the World by USA Today and it’s easy to understand why as you sample its creamy goodness.

We concluded our mini-break on Rottnest Island by treating ourselves to a farewell lunch at Isola Bar E Cibo. It was an unforgettable experience to sit at the Italian seaside-inspired restaurant, dining on seafood while gazing at the stunning view of Thomson Bay.

Among our favourite dishes was the wood-grilled whole Exmouth prawns with crayfish butter, capers and lemon. Make sure to order some of the house-made focaccia to mop up the delicious juices, while sipping a Limoncello Spritz - bellissimo.

Catching the ferry back to the mainland was a bittersweet experience after our beautiful mini-break. While the views were spectacular, it was hard to return to the real world after spending a few days on this island gem.

You might also like:

7 great island holidays where you won’t need a passport

Discovering the magic of the Pacific Islands by sea

Wild coast, crays, a calcified forest and other King Island treats