Rottnest Island
Rottnest Island is located in the Indian Ocean, 19 km west of Frimentle, on the southwest coast of Australia near Perth. Rottnest is known for excellent diving and snorkeling.
Video: Rottnest Island
Tourist Information
The island was discovered in 1696 by Dutch explorer Willem de Flaming. He believed that the short-tailed kangaroo quokkas (local small marsupials) he observed in abundance here were rats, and accordingly named the island Rat’s Nest. In the 19th century, the island became a penal colony for native Australians, but today its old colonial architecture, fabulous beaches, and Mediterranean climate have made it a popular vacation spot for Western Australians.
.History
Measuring 11 kilometers long and 4.5 kilometers wide, Rottnest Island is best explored by bicycle – private cars are not allowed here. In the three hours it takes to ride around the island, you can see lovely coves with small sandy beaches and offshore reefs – the best compared to the nearby mainland coast. You can sail here on a regular boat or on special glass-bottom boats that tourists operate themselves, a feature that attracts up to 500,000 visitors a year. On Rottnest you can explore the museum or take a trip on an old-fashioned train to Oliver Hill. There are plenty of places to eat and a wide variety of hotels – just be sure to book in advance, especially if you’re going during the school vacations.
.How to get there
Take the fast ferry or fly from Perth.
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