Rottnest Island, 19 km off the coast of Perth in Western Australia, is home to the world’s largest population of quokkas, small wallaby-like marsupials whose upturned mouths look like smiles. They have become internet stars through “quokka selfies”. Rottnest is a car-free island of beaches, bays and salt lakes, easy to explore by bike, and a wonderful day trip from Perth. See our quokka profile.
At a glance
| Best time | Year-round; spring and autumn are most pleasant |
| Getting there | Ferry from Perth, Fremantle or Hillarys (25 to 90 minutes) |
| Time needed | A day trip or 1 to 2 nights |
| Big draws | Quokkas, beaches, snorkelling, cycling |
| Good for | Families, day trips from Perth |
Quokkas
- About 10,000 to 12,000 quokkas live on Rottnest, the island’s name deriving from a Dutch explorer who mistook them for large rats (“rat nest”).
- Quokkas are listed as Vulnerable. On the mainland, populations have declined because of foxes, cats and habitat loss.
- They are mainly nocturnal but often active in the day around the settlement and in shady areas.
Rules and responsible selfies
- Do not touch or feed quokkas. Fines apply for touching, feeding or harming them. Human food makes them sick.
- Get down to their level for photos rather than picking them up or luring them with food.
- Keep a respectful distance and let them approach if they choose.
- Use a selfie stick or zoom, and do not use flash.
Other things to do
- Cycling: hire a bike and explore the 22-km island loop.
- Snorkelling: at the Basin, Parakeet Bay and the Little Salmon Bay snorkel trail, with colourful fish and shipwrecks.
- Wildlife: New Zealand fur seals at Cathedral Rocks, ospreys, bottlenose dolphins and humpback whales passing from about September to November.
- Salt lakes: pink lakes with banded stilts and other waterbirds.
When to go
- September to November: spring flowers and whales.
- December to February: hot summer; busy.
- March to May: warm, calm days.
- June to August: cooler; quieter.
Getting there
Ferries run from Perth (about 90 minutes), Fremantle (about 25 to 45 minutes) and Hillarys. Book in advance in summer and on public holidays. An island admission fee is included in ferry tickets.
Frequently asked questions
Can I touch a quokka? No. Touching and feeding quokkas is illegal on Rottnest and fines apply.
Where are quokkas on Rottnest? Around the main settlement, near the Bathurst Lighthouse, and in shady areas across the island.
Are quokkas friendly? They are curious and not afraid of people, but they are wild animals and can bite.
Can I see quokkas on the mainland? Small populations live in forests south of Perth, but they are much harder to see.
Related guides
- Swimming with whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef
- Wildlife tourism to avoid
- Australia wildlife itinerary: 3 weeks
- Animal profiles: Quokka, Red-necked wallaby, Osprey
Cover photo: en:User:SeanMack, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons