There is no privately-owned land on Rottnest Island and only Rottnest Island Authority staff and staff from Rottnest businesses can live there.
About 160 live on the island during winter, 400 in summer.
There is a primary school for children whose parents work on Rottnest Island.
Where to stay
If you plan to stay on Rottnest Island for more than a day, it is important to book well in advance during the summer season.
During school holiday periods (excluding the July school holidays) a holiday accommodation ballot form must be completed. Accommodation is then allocated according to balloting procedures.
Accommodation is available at hotels, cottages, villas, units, bungalows and cabins.
Camping facilities are available at the Caroline Thompson Camping Area and the Allison Camping Area. Bring your own tent.
Dining
There are a variety of dining options, ranging from restaurant meals to coffee shop fare to takeaways.
Shopping
The Rottnest General Store and the Geordie Bay Store sell grocery items, magazines and books, and a variety of souvenirs.
There is a liquor store, swimwear boutiques, tour shops, beauty shops, and fishing gear and equipment hire shops.
Fish and coral
Around 360 species of fish and 20 species of coral can be found in the Rottnest Island marine environment. These include 97 species of tropical fish recorded off the metropolitan coastline.
Quokkas
Quokkas continue to thrive on Rottnest Island. They became a protected species in the late 1920s.
Quokkas are small marsupials about the size of hares. The name comes from the Aboriginal language in the Augusta and King George Sound area of southwest Western Australia.
There are about 10,000 quokkas on the island. They are herbivores.
