Rottnest
Rottnest Island is a short ferry trip away from Perth. Is has beautiful beaches perfect for snorkelling, swimming, sunbathing and surfing. Accommodation is available on the island if you want to stay overnight or for an extended period. The accommodation ranges from self-contained Units, Villas, Cottages, Cabins and Camping. The Rottnest Authority also offers dormitory style accommodation at Kingstown Barracks and Governors Circle. There is also the privately run Quokka Arms(formerly the Rottnest Hotel) and Rottnest Lodge. Rottnest Island is a great place to spend a day, due to the Island being a relatively small area, visitors can walk or cycle around the entire island in an afternoon. Bikes can be hired on the island or brought on the ferry for a small fee. Although cycling is the main activity, there is a golf course, fun park, tennis courts, bowling green and movie cimema to keep the family entertained.In addition to the massive range of marine life, Rottnest Island also has the land-dwelling "Quokka". A quokka was described by Dutchman, Volkersen, as an Asian civet cat, but with brown hair. Later on de Vlamingh described the quokka as "a kind of rat as big as a common cat". He named the Island "Rotte nest" (meaning "rat's nest") and the name of the Island was eventually adapted to "Rottnest". It is important for visitors to refrain from feeding quokkas and other fauna on Rottnest Island. Quokkas may become very ill as a result of eating unsuitable food such as bread, chips and meat. Rottnest Island Rangers may issue infringements to people who feed quokkas. For more information on Rottnest Island, visit the Rottnest Island government homepage. |