One of the most popular excursions from Perth is to take a boat trip over to Rottnest Island. This idyllic island with its crystal clear waters, secluded beaches and unique wildlife is just a 90 minute ferry ride from the city centre and we opted to travel there on the Rottnest Express Premium Service.
We’d booked a Discover Rottnest Day Package which included a premium ferry service and a full island 90 minute bus tour. The ferry departs from Barrack Street at 9.30 a.m. each day and is the only service that goes direct to Rottnest with other services making a stop at Fremantle to pick up additional passengers. Included in the ticket price are complimentary transfers from Perth’s city centre hotels. Although we could have used this facility, we opted to walk to the departure point as it was just a short stroll from our hotel.
The air-conditioned boat comes equipped with comfortable seats, some with tables and large windows to enjoy the scenic views. Passengers also have the opportunity of being able to access the viewing decks at the front and rear of the boat whilst the journey passes through the calm waters of the Swan River.
Booking details advise that complimentary coffee and refreshments are available on the outbound journey but we were surprised to discover that there was actually a full buffet of pastries, sandwiches, savoury items and a fresh fruit platter which was replenished during the trip enabling us to pop back for some more tasty treats later on.
The first hour of the cruise took us along the scenic Swan River where we enjoyed an informative live commentary pointing out all the key sights along the river such as the Bell Tower that we’d already visited, the restored Swan Brewery, Kings Park, the Royal Perth Yacht Club and the large waterfront homes in the upscale suburb of Dalkeith.
The commentary concluded with an insight into Fremantle’s busy inner harbour before we left the calm water of the river and headed out into the choppier waters of the Indian Ocean.
During the final 30 minutes of the journey passengers are not allowed out onto the front deck as the sea can be quite rough even in good weather. The conditions were quite smooth for us so we just sat back in our seats and relaxed awhile before arriving on Rottnest Island.
Ferries dock close to the Thomson Bay Settlement which is the hub of the island and a lively area with its coffee shops, beachside restaurants, cafes, bakery and cycle hire centre.
The island is car free so visitors can choose to explore on foot, rent a bicycle or take one of the bus tours around the island. There’s also the Island Explorer hop-on-hop-off bus which stops at 19 scenic points around the island for a chance to go beach hopping or hiking around some of the idyllic bays with their alluring white sandy beaches.
If you do plan to cycle or walk around the island be mindful of some steep, uphill stretches which may prove hard work to the leisure cyclist especially if it’s a very hot day as it was during our visit, so I advise taking plenty of water and to wear a sun hat.
We arranged to take the Discover Rottnest Bus Tour. These 90 minute tours take place at 11.20 a.m. and 1.50 p.m. each day. We’d opted to take the morning tour which worked seamlessly as Max, our guide from the boat led those of us who’d elected to take the tour to its starting point on the edge of the Settlement village.
We were then pleased to note that Max joined us on board as he was the designated tour guide for the bus trip as well. The tour takes in a full loop of the island with a commentary throughout. As we set off, he told us about the island’s history and of its notorious past serving as a prison between 1738 and 1904 and a forced labour camp until 1931. The island was also used for agriculture, fishing and salt harvesting purposes by British settlers. Rottnest was first discovered back in 1696 by a Dutch sea captain who named the island ‘Eylandt ‘t Rottenest’ (Rat’s Nest Island) after spotting the native quokka which he mistook for rats.
The bus made several short stops allowing us photo opportunities at Little Armstrong Bay on the secluded north side of the island with a longer stop at the rugged West End where we stretched our legs along the soft, sandy beach whilst taking in the expansive views of the Indian Ocean. The bus also stopped at the Wadjemup Lighthouse which was Western Australia’s first stone lighthouse, built to provide a safer sailing passage for ships to Fremantle Port and the Swan River Colony.
Back at The Settlement we got our first sighting of the adorable quokkas. These small marsupials are related to the kangaroo and have a life span of approximately 10 years. We spotted them hopping around and scurrying through the undergrowth. It’s illegal to touch or feed a quokka but they do tend to come up close so there are ample opportunities for taking photos without disturbing them.
After enjoying cooling drinks in one of the beach bars we had plenty of time to explore on foot deciding to follow a trail to the Bathurst Lighthouse. Before reaching the island’s second lighthouse which is accessed by a long flight of wooden steps we admired the Lighthouse Keepers Cottage close by. The lighthouse was built in 1899 after the City of York vessel was wrecked nearby, taking 11 lives. Here we also found the Leeman Monument acknowledging the first European landing on Rottnest in 1658.
From the lighthouse we then walked along Pinky Beach heading into the resort area via some camping and chalet accommodation cabins spotting lots more quokkas on our way.
A short walk north of the visitor centre stands the Pilot Boat House, now a small museum featuring a replica pilot boat and historical photographs providing a glimpse of maritime life on the island during the 19th and 20th centuries. The museum is free to visit and whilst we were there one of the Rottnest Island volunteers was on duty. He was very friendly regaling us with tales of life on the island through the years.
There was then time for another stroll around the Settlement popping into one of the lively beach bars which was full of life with its music stage.
As 4.00 p.m. approached we returned to the ferry terminal for our return 4.15 p.m. premium ferry service. After the first 30 minutes when we had left the choppy seas of the Indian Ocean behind, a lavish buffet comprising a selection of cheese, bread, pastries, quiches, fresh fruit and desserts was set out and we were then invited to help ourselves during the final hour of the boat trip along the Swan River.
To accompany the buffet, a selection of Australian wines were also on offer making it a very relaxing affair sipping wine and enjoying the tasty treats from the buffet before arriving back into Perth at 5.45 p.m.
Tickets for the Rottnest Express Premium Ferry Service package cost $235 AUD (£122) per person which includes a compulsory $20 AUD landing fee. Although this might sound pricey, it’s actually very good value for money when you consider that it includes a hotel pick-up, two meals on board, a Swan River boat cruise with live commentary and a 90 minute island bus tour. With all the food on offer on board the boat we only needed to buy drinks and ice creams on Rottnest allowing more time to spend exploring the beautiful island. Cheaper packages are also available with Rottnest Express, starting at $68 AUD (£35) return from Fremantle and $99 AUD (£51) return per person from Perth. Which ever way you decide to travel, do try to fit a visit to Rottnest Island into your itinerary as I’m sure you’ll enjoy the most wonderful of days.
Back on dry land, we returned to our hotel to collect our luggage and within less than half an hour we were being welcomed into my blogging friend Alison’s home where we had arranged to spend the remaining part of our holiday. Alison and I have avidly followed each other’s blogs for several years and so it was wonderful to be able to meet her and her lovely husband Anthony in person. There’ll be more of our time together in future posts and until then you might like to take a look at her website Travels with Ali.
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