Perth's best-kept secret is just a 25-minute boat ride away
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Rottnest island, Wadjemup, or Rotto, as it's known, is a holiday island as little as 25 minutes on a ferry from Perth.
While much beloved to Perth locals, it's also becoming popular with interstate and overseas trippers.
It has no fewer than 63 beaches and bays across the island, which is 19 square kilometres, or roughly 2500 NRL fields.
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Rottnest island is beloved with locals and tourists alike. Getty
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You can visit for the day, or there's accommodation for every budget - from luxury spots to chalets and even campsites, to stay for a night or a week.
Here's everything you need to know.
Why is Rottnest Island famous?
It might be just minutes on a ferry from Perth, but Rottnest feels like a tropical paradise with clean sandy beaches and turquoise waters.
Rotto is just a short trip from Perth. Supplied
The island is car-free, making bikes, a shuttle bus or foot the only ways to get around.
It's famous for beaches, swimming and general holiday vibes.
While it's popular, especially in the summer, if you get away from the main ferry stop in The Settlement, you can find some peace.
Rottnest Island quokkas
Western Australia is famously the only place in the world where you'll find quokkas, a macropod with a little face that appears to be smiling.
Singer Katy Perry poses with a quokka and a tour guide on Rottnest Island. Instagram/katyperry
Rottnest has the biggest population.
While nocturnal, there are always a few hopping around in the daytime.
They are as cute as a cartoon: Disney's Zootopia 2 even features a quokka named Dr Fuzzby.
There's a strict no feeding rule, though many are unbothered if you want to try and take a quokka 'selfie.'
Can you stay on Rottnest Island?
If you want to spend more than a day on Rottnest Island, there are plenty of options.
Stay Rottnest Campground is the most basic, but it's still an idyllic spot to wake up, right by the shore.
Lodge Wadjemup is on the pricier end of the accommodation spectrum. Supplied
Stay Rottnest's hostel and dorms is another bargain option.
There's even a branch of Discovery Resorts with African-style eco tents.
Stay Rottnest Self Contained offers heritage bungalows, cabins and apartments,then there's the more upmarket Lodge Wadjemup, with its Instagrammable pool.
It was even named as one of TIME's greatest places for 2025.
Or splash out at the most luxurious place to stay, Samphire Rottnest.
Discovery Parks Rottnest Island is a high-end holiday park. Supplied
How much does a trip to Rottnest Island cost?
Ferry travel time will depend on where you leave from on the mainland.
It ranges from around 25 minutes from Fremantle, 45 minutes from Hillarys Boat Harbour and up to 90 minutes from Perth's Barrack Street Jetty.
There are a few options: An adult day return ticket on Sealink Rottnest costs $86.50 return, Rottnest Fast Ferries is $92, Rottnest Express is $85.
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Ferry travel time will depend on where you leave from on the mainland. Getty
Fares include the $21 island admission fee.
In the summer, the last ferries back to Perth are not until 9pm, so you can stay late.
It's sensible to book your ferries ahead of time, as they can get busy.
What to do in Rottnest Island in one day?
There's heaps to do, whether you want to be busy or relax.
Once you get off the ferry, visit the free Wadjemup Museum to learn about the (often devastating) history of the island.
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Rottnest Island is famous for quokkas. Tourism Western Australia
It has been a prison, labour camp for Aboriginal men and also has some WWII history.
There are some gift shops here too.
You can then pick up a bike or hop on the Quokka Coaches bus to tour the island, or pay for a Segway tour. It's worth securing transport, as there's a lot to see.
Highlights include Geordie Bay, the Bathurst and Wadjemup Lighthouses , Little Parakeet Bay - which is sheltered enough for kids - and PinkyBeach, the biggest on the island.
There's even a snorkel trail at Parker Point, and free walking tours.
Whale watching is popular in winter and spring.
Rottnest Movies and Mini Golf is big for families, too, and there's even an arcade. You can tee off at Rottnest Island Golf course, and there's skydiving for the adventurous.
Rottnest Island, often colloquially referred to as "Rotto". Getty
Rottnest Island food
From snacks to sit-down meal,s Rottnest has a lot of food options.
Highlights include Hotel Rottnest - your typical Aussie pub - but with epic views over Thomson Bay.
Lontara brings Asian flavours to the tropical haven, and Rottnest Bakery is great for cakes.
HAVZA at The Bason offers Tapas, while you can get the RSL vibes at RICG Clubhouse, which also offers bowls and live music.
Pinkies meanwhile, is famous for cocktails and sunsets.
What's new on Rottnest Island?
Dooga Waalitj Healing offers art workshops, cultural walks, smoking ceremonies and language classes, while Koorda's Crew provides immersive Aboriginal cultural activities for children.
Outdoor fun includes pickleball at the redesigned Bathurst tennis courts, with Rotto Rackets Sports, beach equipment from Rotto Rentals and guided island tours with Rotto Rickshaws.
The island has also upgraded the South Thomson boardwalk, and refurbished 52 Stay Rottnest units at Longreach and Fay's Bay with new kitchens and bathrooms.
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The clear water of Rottnest Island, near Perth, Western Australia." Getty
As well as renting an ebike or taking tour by bike or segway, you can hop on a rickshaw with new Rotto Rickshaws.
What is the best month to visit Rottnest Island?
With hot summers and mild winters, it's never cold in Perth.
Rottnest does benefit from that ocean breeze - but watch out for sunburn.
Summer (December to February) is hot with temperatures up to 30 degrees.
Winter is cooler, from around eight to 19 degrees and is likely to be wetter.
Spring averages around 23 degrees and autumn sees highs of 26 degrees.
The writer visited as a guest of Tourism WA.
