Welcome to Rottnest Rottnest Island’s photogenic ambassador, Island the quokka, skyrocketed WESTERN AUSTRALIA’S Western Australia’s favourite PREMIER ISLAND ESCAPE! island paradise to international fame after high-profile celebrities including Roger Federer, Margot Robbie and Located less than 20 kilometres from Chris Hemsworth posted selfies with Western Australia’s world-renowned these cute, native marsupials on their port city of Fremantle, Rottnest Island social media channels. is an easily accessible nature No wonder quokkas are considered the lover’s paradise. happiest animals on Earth; they inhabit Rottnest Island is so close to Perth Australia’s most beautiful island. It’s easy that it’s visible from coastal vantage to see why our visitors love it here as points on clear days, which is much as they do. most often the case for Australia’s sunniest capital city.

WESTERN Rottnest Island, or ‘Rotto’, as it’s AUSTRALIA affectionately known by locals, has been the destination of choice for Western Australians for generations, but the island is now welcoming Hillarys increasing numbers of visitors from interstate and overseas, largely due to

the power of social media. Perth

 About the Island information sheet Rottnest Island

Fremantle

ROTTNEST ISLAND - DESTINATION GUIDE PAGE 1 OF 12 79454 Contents

How to get to Rottnest Island 3

Visit all year round 4

A peaceful A-Class nature reserve 5

Things to do at Rottnest Island – chill or thrill! 6

Accommodation 9

Dining 10

Events 11

Images and Information 11

Contact details 12

ROTTNEST ISLAND - DESTINATION GUIDE PAGE 2 OF 12 79454 Hillarys

How to get to Perth Rottnest Island Rottnest Island

Rottnest Island’s pristine turquoise bays, Fremantle aquatic activities, walking trails, historic attractions and abundance of wildlife are just a short ferry ride from Perth, Fremantle or Hillarys Ferry Terminal.

Situated close to Perth, visitors can easily head to Rottnest on a daytrip, but there’s so much to see and do here that we suggest staying for at least a few days to really experience the best of the island. VISIT BY FERRY Rottnest Express  Sample 3-day, 2-night itinerary Departing Fremantle or Perth – Transfers take approximately 30 or 90 minutes.

SeaLink Rottnest Island FLY TO ROTTNEST ISLAND Departing Fremantle – Transfers take You can take a scenic flight to enjoy a approximately 30 minutes. spectacular, bird’s eye view of Rottnest Rottnest Fast Ferries Island as you arrive. Departing Hillarys Ferry Terminal – Flights departing Perth Transfers take approximately 45 minutes. Rottnest Air Taxi – Transfers take approximately 12 minutes.

Swan River Seaplanes Full-day tours to Rottnest Island.

Departing Perth Airport, Jandakot and Mandurah Ozwest Aviation

Departing Jandakot and Hillarys Boat Harbour Rotorvation Helicopters

ROTTNEST ISLAND - DESTINATION GUIDE PAGE 3 OF 12 79454 Visit all year round

Basking in a Mediterranean-style Whereas in winter (June – August) it’s climate, Rottnest Island is a usually a few degrees warmer than Perth with minimum temperatures around the popular destination all year round. 12-degree mark. During summer (December – February), Rottnest Island is usually a few degrees WATER TEMPERATURE cooler than Perth with average temperatures hovering around the The water surrounding Rottnest Island mid to high 20s. is quite warm, thanks to the Leeuwin Current that flows along the west coast of Australia. This warm current is responsible for the water here being around 23 degrees in summer and about 19 degrees in winter, perfect for enjoying the vast range of aquatic activities the island is known for.

ROTTNEST ISLAND - DESTINATION GUIDE PAGE 4 OF 12 79454 A peaceful A-Class nature reserve

Rottnest Island may be easily accessible from the mainland, but it feels like a world away. The moment you step onto the island, Rottnest’s laidback lifestyle begins to take effect and you start to feel yourself relax as you transition to into Rottnest mode.

Rottnest Island is an A-Class Reserve, immersing ourselves in nature. which means all plants and animals on There’s no shortage of ways to acquaint the island are protected by law. The island yourself with the Rottnest Island’s is truly unique for many reasons, but abundant wildlife and remarkable perhaps one of the most noticeable landscapes, as well as the many species differences to other destinations is that of marine life inhabiting our many it’s predominantly car-free. pristine beaches.

Therefore, the most popular way of  Getting Around information sheet exploring the island is by cycling, which has made Pedal and Flipper the largest bike hire operation in the southern hemisphere!

Research tells us that cycling is not only a great way of keeping fit and a sustainable way of getting around, it also makes us happy. So too does

ROTTNEST ISLAND - DESTINATION GUIDE PAGE 5 OF 12 79454 Boat Tour!

ROTTNEST ISLAND’S TOP TEN EXPERIENCES 1. Walking tours - Lace up your boots Things to do at and explore some of Rottnest Island’s self-guided scenic walking trails Rottnest Island – (#WadjemupBidi) at your own pace, or join a free walking tour with chill or thrill! the Rottnest Voluntary Guides Association. There’s so much to see and do at Rottnest Island, from snorkelling and 2. Ocean adventures - Go snorkelling, scuba diving, to taking the plunge of scuba diving, kayaking, stand-up a lifetime with a skydive. paddle boarding, surfing or hire an aqua scooter to see Rottnest’s diverse Visitors can choose to do as much or as marine life. little as they wish. Rottnest is the perfect 3. Join a boat tour - Hire a boat, join a island escape to relax and recharge, but cruise or a jetboat ride to discover there’s also an array of adrenaline-fuelled Rottnest’s marine environment and activities to explore this picturesque secluded bays. destination. 4. Get a bird’s eye view - Skydive during your stay at Rottnest for an adrenaline-rush like no other and enjoy amazing aerial views of our island paradise!

ROTTNEST ISLAND - DESTINATION GUIDE PAGE 6 OF 12 79454 5. Learn more about the Aboriginal cultural heritage of Wadjemup - Join a Go Cultural Aboriginal walking tour to learn about Rottnest’s rich indigenous history and take part in a traditional Aboriginal welcome to country. 6. Visit historic sites - Stroll around the settlement, visit the Wadjemup and Bathurst Point Lighthouses. Check out The Sea Wall and catch the train to Oliver Hill. 7. Wildlife encounters - Acquaint yourself with quokkas, New Zealand The following sample itineraries fur seals, migratory birds and whales are available: (September – December), as well as other native animals. Don’t forget to »»Nature and wildlife encounters post your #quokkaselfie and other »»Adventure Activities wildlife snaps on Instagram. »»Top Rottnest Island history spots 8. Relax - Bask on one of our 63 beaches, or visit the island’s »»Top 10 Rottnest Island beaches day spa for a massage. »»Cycle and snorkel to see the best 9. Discover the island with your of the island choice of wheels - Traditional and »»Family friendly fun electronic bikes are available for hire and Segway and e-bike tours are offered. If you’d like to see the sites in air-conditioned comfort, opt for the hop-on, hop-off Island Explorer bus. 10. Visit a fun park - Just 4 Fun Aqua Park offers inflatable waterslides at Thomson Bay (November – April). Alternatively, visit the Family Fun Park for old school family-friendly attractions such as mini golf, trampolines, air hockey and arcade games.

ROTTNEST ISLAND - DESTINATION GUIDE PAGE 7 OF 12 79454 NEW PRODUCTS There are now more ways than ever to explore Rottnest Island, so previous visitors have plenty of reasons to return!

»»Boating West – Hire a boat to explore »»Sea Kayak Rottnest Island – Explore our our secluded bays. beautiful beaches aboard a glass bottom kayak tour.

»»Charter 1 – Enjoy a sunset, eco or »»Seatoys WA – Take a fully-guided aqua whale watching tour. scooter tour to discover Rottnest Island’s underwater wonderland.

»»Rottnest Cruises – Catch and cook a »»Go Cultural Aboriginal Tour and Experiences crayfish. – will soon be offering visitors a walking tour to learn about Rottnest’s rich indigenous history.

»»Rottnest Dive and Undersea Walk – Don a »»Rotto Shade – Located at The Basin beach, high-tech Sea-Trek diving helmet and join a Rotto Shade offers hire of quality beach walk beneath the surface of the sea! umbrellas and beach chairs.

ROTTNEST ISLAND - DESTINATION GUIDE PAGE 8 OF 12 79454 Accommodation

Rottnest Island offers a broad range NEW ACCOMMODATION of accommodation styles to suit Discovery Parks opened the brand new all budgets and requirements, from Discovery - Rottnest Island in March hostel beds, campsites, cabins and 2019. This 2.8-hectare glamping site bungalows through to apartments, comprises 83 eco tents which range in hotel rooms, heritage-style price, size and amenities. All tents accommodation and eco-luxe are equipped with beds, outdoor decks glamping tents. and ensuites. Guests have exclusive Please note: Accommodation at access to the property’s 30-metre Rottnest Island books out well in advance, resort style pool. especially for the summer holidays, long weekends (such as Labour Day), Easter and for events (such as the Rottnest Channel Swim), so it’s advisable to secure accommodation as early as possible.

ROTTNEST ISLAND - DESTINATION GUIDE PAGE 9 OF 12 79454 Lexi’s on Dining Rotto!

One thing is for sure – you won’t go NEW DINING OPTIONS hungry at Rottnest Island. Pinky’s Beach Club is the island’s newest restaurant! Located at Discovery - There’s a range of dining options available to suit all budgets and tastes, Rottnest Island brand-new glamping site, from self-catering with provisions this fabulous new venue serves locally inspired dishes, cocktails and Margaret purchased at one of the general stores, River’s finest wines. and filled rolls from the iconicRottnest Bakery to casual eateries such as An exciting new addition outside the Subway, Dome Café, The Lane Café settlement is Lexi’s on Rotto, a converted and Geordie’s Café. caravan based at the Wadjemup Lighthouse offers snacks, hot and cold Restaurants include Hotel Rottnest drinks at the halfway point of your cycle and Riva, as well as Thomsons and around the island! The iconic Wadjemup Pinky’s Beach Club, both of which Lighthouse is situated about five specialise in seafood. Frankie’s on Rotto is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner kilometres from Thomson Bay, which and now offers a delivery service! takes about 20 minutes to cycle. Alternatively, visitors can catch the Island Explorer bus to the lighthouse.

ROTTNEST ISLAND - DESTINATION GUIDE PAGE 10 OF 12 79454 Events Images Rottnest Island hosts a number of Rottnest Island Authority has a selection iconic, world-class events each year. of high-resolution destination and product These include the annual Rottnest images available to be published online, Channel Swim, the Blue Marlin Classic, in travel brochures and in news articles. Hotel Rottnest Port to Pub, Rottnest SwimRun and The Goodlife Running Festivals, as well as a range of concerts and other events. Information sheets A suite of information sheets providing more detail on nature and wildlife, environmental and sustainability, history, walking trails and getting around the island are available on request.

ROTTNEST ISLAND - DESTINATION GUIDE PAGE 11 OF 12 79454 Contact details

Rottnest Island Authority Please keep in touch! W: rottnestisland.com @Rottnest

E: [email protected] @RottnestIslandWA #RottnestIsland

T: +61 8 9432 9300 @RottnestIsland

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