21. Rottnest Island

Rottnest Island, aka "Wadjemup" to the Whadjuk Noongar (indigenous) people, is a 19 sq km coastal sanctuary 18 kilometers off the coast of Fremantle. It is a nature lover's paradise, with over 60 beaches & stunning views of the Indian Ocean. The area is under administration of the WA gov't - no cars allowed (save maintenance vehicles & tour buses), and no privately held lodging (like air bnbs).

Part of Rottnest's draw is the presence of the quokka, a small, smiley marsupial found nowhere else on Earth, which has become a beloved symbol of the island. The quokka is in fact how the island got its name. In 1656 a Dutch explorer mistakenly identified the animal as a rat, and his description "rat's nest" became Rottnest.

We took the ferry out to the island to explore. The weather had been a bit sketchy and the seas were rough - barf bags were available and, since I'm a bit motion-sensitive I grabbed one just in case. (Not used) While the 30 minute ride left me a bit nauseous & dizzy, the weather improved and island experience was delightful. We loved the quokkas and the Indian Ocean (honestly the most beautiful ocean I've ever seen).Read more