Looking for a quick escape from mainland Australia with turquoise bays, curious wildlife, and no car in sight? Rottnest Island is a hop and skip from Perth, best known for its resident quokkas (the far-from-camera-shy marsupials dubbed “the world’s happiest animals”).
Our local friend Lisa had described Rottnest as a favorite family destination. The island is small enough to explore on a day trip or a quick overnight stay, as I did. Once the day-trippers depart and dusk settles in, the quokkas come out in full force.
We had just one day to spare, coming straight off the bus from South West Australia. The trip began in a flurry, with Leah sprinting off to collect our tickets at the window while I guarded our luggage, praying the ferry wouldn’t leave without us. This adrenaline-charged start was capped by a bumpy but relatively short ride across the channel. The moment we stepped onto dry land, we were revived.
- Itinerary At-A-Glance
- Where is Rottnest Island?
- Getting to Rottnest Island
- Exploring Rottnest by Bike
- Where to Stay: Discovery Resorts
- Where to Eat on Rottnest
- Encounters With Quokkas
- Why You Shouldn’t Skip Fremantle
- Where to Eat in Fremantle
Itinerary At-A-Glance
- Day 0.5: Bus from Bunbury to Fremantle Port, High Speed Ferry to Rottnest, Self-Guided Bike Tour, Check Into Hotel, Dinner at Lontara at Samphire Resort
- Day 1: Hotel Breakfast at Discovery Resorts, Walk to Bathhurst Lighthouse and Pinky Beach, high-speed Ferry to Fremantle, shopping and lunch in Fremantle, flight to Bali
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Where is Rottnest Island?
Rottnest Island lies just 12 miles (19 km) off the coast of Fremantle, in Western Australia. It’s a ferry ride across turquoise waters from Perth’s shoreline. Known locally as “Rotto,” this island paradise blends laid-back charm and natural beauty, offering pristine beaches, cycling trails, and encounters with the quokkas that call it home.
Getting to Rottnest Island
Coming from the South West, we caught a bus from Bunbury to Cockburn Station via South West Coach Lines. From there, rather than transfer to a local bus (a 40-minute ride), we grabbed an Uber (~20 minute ride) to the B Shed Ferry Terminal, the port from which the Rottnest Express departs.
The high-speed ferry connects Fremantle to Rottnest Island in just 30 minutes (compared to about 75 minutes via regular ferry). If you’re short on time, the Rottnest Express is definitely the way to go.
We booked our tickets the week before departure, but I highly recommend booking as far in advance as possible during Australia’s summer holidays. There are no assigned seats, and due to the high speed, the ride can get a little rough. Arrive early if you’re hoping for a seat outside.
We were among the last to board on the way over and spent most of the crossing bracing ourselves through the waves. On our return trip, we made it onto the ferry first and snagged a sunny spot outside, which made for a much more pleasant cruise.
Exploring Rottnest by Bike
The best way to experience Rottnest Island is on two wheels. The island is car-free, so biking is not only the most practical way to get around, but also the most fun. We rented from Pedal & Flipper, conveniently located a short walk from the ferry dock. Rentals include helmets, and there are plenty of bike racks around the island, including several right outside our tent at Discovery Resorts, which made things easy.
If you’re visiting during school holidays, reserve e-bikes early; they do sell out. I paid a few extra dollars for a basket for my day pack. Activating the boost up hills made the ride more leisurely, especially after long days of driving on our Southwest road trip. Despite the cloudy skies and occasional drizzle, biking was easily one of my favorite parts of the day.
The coastal landscape featured patches of silvery-green grasses, low bushes, and small wildflowers in soft purples and greys. It was a calm, gentle palette compared to the bright, fiery blooms along the Southwest Coast.
You can loop the entire island in a day, even a half-day, especially with an e-bike. We toured counterclockwise from the main settlement past Little Parakeet Bay, Catherine Bay, and Ricey Beach, down toward the Roland Smith Memorial, before looping back past Mary Cove, Wadjemup Lighthouse, and Salmon Bay.
Rather than trying to tick off every beach on the map, I’d recommend simply riding along and stopping wherever the view draws you in. Bike racks and stairs at most bays make it easy to improvise.
As of this writing, e-bikes rent for about $50 USD per 24 hours, while regular bikes are around $20 USD. The return process was quick and easy – we dropped our bikes off just before boarding the high-speed ferry back to Fremantle.
Where to Stay: Discovery Resorts
Discovery Resorts Rottnest Island. We stayed at Discovery Resorts – a glamping-style eco-resort tucked behind Pinky Beach with a family-friendly vibe. Our luggage was smoothly transferred from the ferry directly to our room (at no extra cost). This meant we could start exploring right away (we both prepared small day packs with this in mind).
The Superior Tents are impressively solid and well-equipped, with kitchenettes and a small deck with outdoor seating. Though they felt a little dingy at first; a quick unzip of the canvas windows helped air things out.
Our tent was located near the main bike path, which offered convenience, but came with some noise from passing cyclists. The tents are close together and the “walls” are thin, so a set of earplugs or noise-canceling headphones would be helpful for light sleepers.
An extensive hot & cold breakfast was included in the room rate. After breakfast, we walked five minutes to Bathhurst Lighthouse and enjoyed a quiet morning at Pinky Beach before catching the ferry back to Fremantle.
On departure day, pack early. The resort transfers luggage back to the ferry, which will save you from hauling your bags across the island.
Would I Stay Here Again?
Yes. For a short stay, Discovery Resorts Rottnest is perfect. It’s one of the more reasonably priced options on the island, offering comfort without pretense. The experience is more “sturdy tent meets business hotel” than pure glamping luxury, but it strikes a good balance between convenience and value.
With limited accommodation options on the island and its easy location – just a 12-minute walk from Pedal & Flipper or a 3-minute bike ride – Discovery Resorts is an easy choice for a one- or two-night getaway.
Where to Eat on Rottnest
By the time we wrapped up our morning of cycling and exploring, we were absolutely starving. We stopped at Lane Café, home to the Craydog: a grilled crayfish roll marinated in garlic and olive oil, topped with jalapeño mayo, and served on a soft bun with chips (potato chips, not fries).
Rottnest Island isn’t huge, and dining options are limited. Lontara, the Asian-inspired restaurant inside the Samphire Rottnest Resort, is worth seeking out. About a 10-minute walk from Discovery Resorts, the stroll itself was part of the experience: families biking in the dusky light, quokkas taking over the settlement grounds, no cars to be concerned with. (A torch or flashlight helps.)
We started with som tum papaya salad and dumplings paired with a round of cocktails, followed by an eggplant yellow curry and a whole crispy fried fish and dessert spring rolls.
Encounters With Quokkas
No trip to Rottnest is complete without a quokka selfie, so they say. Though I didn’t take one myself, it’s impossible not to see them. They’re basically smiley island rodents up close.
Although quokkas are nocturnal, quite a few appear during the day, especially around Thomson Bay Settlement, where they cheekily hang around the main square hoping for food (don’t feed them!). As we walked to dinner, we passed through the park and saw dozens. Imagine a scene from Michael Jackson’s Thriller, but with quokkas instead of zombies.
Why You Shouldn’t Skip Fremantle
The next morning, we ferried back to Fremantle with a few hours to spare before our flight. If Perth is in your itinerary, or even just your port of departure, don’t forego Fremantle (also referred to as “Freo”). Though only an afternoon stop in ours, this harbor town turned out to be a highlight.
Buzzing with creativity and laid-back character, its blend of heritage charm, independent shops, and alfresco cafés made for an easy transition back to city rhythms and a gentle counterpoint to Rottnest’s wild serenity.
Exploring Freo
After a day on Rottnest, Fremantle makes a great landing spot. High Street is lined with gift shops, boutiques, and vintage stores that perfectly capture Freo’s creative, indie edge.
Our first stop was the Fremantle Visitor Centre, about a 15-minute flat walk from the port (even while rolling suitcases). The self-service lockers were plentiful and easy to use, and volunteers couldn’t have been friendlier. Each locker fit both our medium-sized suitcases and carry-on bags easily. For just a few dollars, it was absolutely worth it for a 2–3 hour wander around town.
Free maps and even bike rentals are available, though we opted to explore on foot. And not only is the Visitor Center a helpful resource for travelers, it’s also stocked with clever novelty tees representing Freo.
Some of our favorite stops included Remedy, a cheerful lifestyle store with everything from Kip & Co. bedding to bright homewares, and Common Ground Collective, a social-enterprise shop supporting local makers. It’s also where I discovered Margaret Preston’s botanical prints and Kaylene Whiskey’s vivid, pop-inspired compositions— both Australian artists whose work celebrates nature and culture.
Where to Eat in Fremantle
For our final meal in Fremantle – and in Australia – we stopped into Lions and Tigers (Bannister Street). Sitting outside and away from the bustle of High Street, we enjoyed a quiet lunch blending Indian and Modern Australian influences before heading to the airport.
We started with sourdough naan served warm with whipped ghee, black cardamom salt, and jaggery. For our mains, we shared samosas, roasted squash, and lemon rice. All the dishes were as flavorful as they were colorful.
From there, it was a quick stop back at the Visitor Centre to collect our bags before catching another Uber to Perth Airport (about 20 minutes).
If we’d known how cool Freo was, we probably would have planned to spend a night there. Even in just a few hours, we got a great feel for the city’s vibe.
Rotto and Freo each have their own rhythm. For families, Rottnest Island’s natural beauty and car-free ease makes it a chill retreat; for adults, Fremantle’s food, art, and shopping scene might hold more appeal.
Combining the two makes for a mix of wild coastline and creative inspiration. It was a cute sendoff before trading one island for another and continuing onto Bali.
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