My Summer Paradise – Rottnest Island

Pinky Beach, Rottnest Island

“The Simple Pleasures in Life”, Rottnest Island certainly lives up to its tag-line. Spend your day lazing around on its pristine beaches or exploring the island’s many nature wonders, Rottnest Island is the perfect destination for a family outing and a day of fun! The 19km square island situated off the west coast of Perth, boast some 63 beaches and 20 coves. The island is also rich in fauna & flora and is home to the happiest creature on earth: The quokka! With a wide range of activities to choose from including snorkeling, wildlife bird watching and cycling, Rottnest certainly caters to all sort of visitors with differing interests.

The sporty Rottnest Express!

The only way to get to Rottnest Island would be to take the Rottnest Express (Unless you sail there yourself!). The speedboat sets off from the ports of Fremantle and it takes roughly 30 mins to reach Rottnest. A 2 way ticket cost AUS $79 but other bundles are also available. For an additional $20, you can rent a bicycle for the day. Having a bike is especially convenient since cycling is the easiest way to travel around and explore the island. Yes you can hop on to the buses that service the island but waiting time between buses can be as long as 40 minutes. You can also stay the night on Rottnest Island but do book your accommodation in advance because the lodges are always packed and the waiting list is long!

Here is a map of Rottnest

So much to do and explore but I only have less than 12 hours there, WHERE SHOULD I GO?! I highly recommend visiting Pinky Beach and The Basin situated at the Northern Tip of the island and is within walking distance from the main settlement.

Soft silky marble white sand & clear blue turquoise seas, what more can you ask for?! This is my summer paradise! I think I can stay here forever and watch the waves crash. The water is crystal clear and chilling cool, perfect for snorkeling (though I didn’t try). You can rent snorkeling gear on the island. So if you are a seaside, beach person, be sure to add this travel destination to your bucket list!

Oh yes, before I forget, let me talk about the Quokkas!!!!! Cute little furry rat like animals that roam the island, these tame creatures have been voted as happiest creatures on earth. Why so?! Well that’s because they often flash a goofy smile for the camera! Known for their friendliness, the Quokkas are more than happy to take selfies with you!

What a sweet face they have!!!

With a population of roughly 18,000, the Quokkas inhabit every corner of the island and can pop up anywhere. Don’t be surprised if you spot on or two under your seat at a café cause these little fellas love to munch the crumbs left behind by diners! Tempting as it may be, try not to feed them as much as possible (They might suffer from serious indigestion if they food is unsuitable for their stomaches). Yup I wish that I could bring one home as souvenir! TOO CUTE!

When it was time to board the last ferry and head back to the mainland, I was a little reluctant to go. Time seems to slow down on this island. The beautiful open landscape and laid-back lifestyle was a welcoming contrast to the cramped up hectic urban lifestyle of Singapore. Rottnest is somewhere you can go to take a good break and rejuvenate your soul! Looking forward to visiting this place again!