Rottnest Island, WA

Just a short ferry ride from Fremantle, Rottnest Island feels like a world away. This is a trip that people often do when staying at Fremantle or Scarborough, being very popular for its breathtaking scenery. The journey itself is part of the adventure, a breezy trip across turquoise water that sets the tone for the day ahead. I would just say book your free tickets in advance as they book out quickly.

Once on the island, you can hire a bike or jump on the hop-on hop-off bus to explore at your own pace (there are no cars). We opted for the bus and loved jumping on / off at pivotal points to take in the views and have a coffee or something to eat. The island is full of stunning coastal views, white sandy beaches, and plenty of swimming and snorkelling spots to cool off. I hear this is an amazing spot for underwater wildlife spotting too, not that we went swimming, not warm enough for me.

A definite highlight is spotting a quokka, the island’s famous smiling marsupial and a species found nowhere else on Earth. We had hopped off at a spot to take in the views and were just sitting, minding our own business when a momma quokka and her baby came towards us to say hello. We couldn’t believe our luck, I was wondering who or what was sniffing at my leg. They are so so cute and friendly but just be mindful not to touch or feed them as it can be dangerous for their wellbeing. You will see some people trying to get that famous quokka selfie but we were just so happy to have seen one.

Other must-sees include the lighthouse, scenic lookouts, and the relaxed island atmosphere that makes you want to stay just a little longer. There are a couple of bars / restaurants, cafes, ice cream parlours and even a supermarket on the island.

You can even stay overnight in one of the island’s accommodations, though we just made it a day trip and it was the perfect little escape. Highly recommend a visit here!!!