VIEW Rottnest Island Underwater Photo Gallery
Rottnest Island in Western Australia is close enough to Perth and Fremantle for a day trip or longer stay and for enjoying its many attractions and activities.
'Giant rats'
In the late 17th century, Dutch explorers led by Willem de Vlamingh could well have been horrified to find giant rats on an island close to Australia’s southwestern coastline.
Well, they thought they were rats, and they called the island Rotte-nest, meaning "rat’s nest" -- a very much unflattering name for a place that is now the nearest holiday island to the West Australian capital, Perth.
Rottnest (it dropped the "e" from its original Dutch name) is a pleasant island, for swimming, surfing, diving ... for exploring its features on two wheels ... and for peace and quiet contemplation. It is one of Western Australia's most popular holiday destinations with something like half a million visitors each year.
Very much a summer place
The West Australians have retained the name Rottnest for this island -- and yes, the quokkas are still there, and are a protected species.
Rottnest Island lies off the coast of Western Australia, less than 20 kilometres across the water from Fremantle.
If you take the ferry, Rottnest Island is 25 minutes from Fremantle, 45 minutes from Hillarys and an hour and a half from Perth. You could fly, of course, and it’s 15 minutes from Perth.
Rottnest Island is very much a summer place, when the beaches are alive with daytrippers from Perth or Fremantle, but it beckons the visitor as well in the wintertime.
Winter has great inducements, too
And yes, you can stay a day, or two or three. See what you’d like to do on Rottnest Island and plan a stay to suit.
If you’re coming from overseas, it may be worth your setting aside a day or two to visit Rottnest.
One advantage of visiting Rottnest Island in the winter is the availability of attractive package deals which can cover ferry costs, accommodation, restaurant vouchers, and other low-cost inducements during the low season.
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Islands of Australia
