A Day on The Rottnest Island
Rottnest Island is a popular holiday island in Western Australia eighteen kilometres off the coast of Perth. This island framed by the azure waters of the Indian Ocean is a ferry ride away. Making for an ideal day trip destination.
Separated from the mainland around 7000 years ago, it is famous for its secluded bays, pristine beaches & crystal clear waters.
An A Class Nature Reserve, it is home to a range of rare and remarkable species of plant, marine & wild life. Its extensive seagrass beds provide shelter & nutrients in the shallow marine environment.
The population of Quokkas - who have lately become popular as the World’s Happiest Animal - led the Dutch seaman Willem de Vlamingh to name this island, their island, the Ratte nest (rat’s nest); which eventually became Rottnest.
I was in Sydney last year & travelled to Perth for my birthday weekend.& that is how I found myself for a day on the Rottnest Island.
The first thing we did as soon we got to the island was to find a map & hire a bike.
Bikes are the transportation of choice on this island! (As you can see from the picture above :D)
But, you can also choose to hop on & off the bus or book one of the tours including a historic train ride, which bring to life the colonial heritage of the island.
So, what else can one do besides enjoying the sweeping ocean views, scenic salt lakes & moors and the sights of trees shaped by years of oceanic winds?
Eat at waterfront restaurants with a view like this.
Swim, dive, snorkel, fish, sail.. laze on the beach!
Discover shipwrecks.
There are such a number of great trails to follow & brilliant sights to explore that I came away feeling a day is just not enough!
PS: Google Maps are just as fun, though not so pretty!
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