The quokkas
Small, friendly and protected.
JamesHenstridge — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Calistemon — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Sam Wilson (taken with Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT1) — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Gnangarra — CC BY 2.5 au · Moondyne — CC BY-SA 3.0
Rottnest Island is a low sandy island of 19 square kilometres, 18 km west of Fremantle, and an A-class reserve, the highest level of protection in Western Australia. Visitors come for its calm bays and for the small friendly quokka, which has become the island's symbol and a favourite of travel photos. The island was cut off from the mainland when the sea rose about 7,000 years ago. The Noongar people call it Wadjemup, «the place across the water where the spirits are». The Dutch explorer de Vlamingh named it «rats' nest» in 1696, mistaking the quokkas for rats. From 1838 to 1931 it was a prison and forced labour camp for over 3,600 Aboriginal people, and their cemetery deserves particular respect. Ferries arrive at Thomson Bay, the old settlement of trees and low buildings. From there you head for beaches, bays and bare hills, including the Wadjemup Lighthouse, often spotting quokkas near shade along the way. Most visitors get around by bicycle or island bus, as private cars are not available to them. It is 20 km in a straight line from Fremantle, so you need the ferry, and it is wise to book ahead in summer. Do not feed or touch the quokkas, which are protected. Bring sunscreen and water, as the wind can be strong and shade is scarce, allow a full day if you can, and pace yourself on a bike in the sun.
Small, friendly and protected.
The island's old settlement.
To the bays and hills.
18 km west of Fremantle, Western Australia
No, they are protected, so do not feed or touch them.
By bicycle or island bus, as private cars are not available to visitors.