Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
2 Side Trips from Perth
ROTTNEST ISLAND: GETTING FACE TO FACE WITH
THE FISHES
19km (12 miles) W of Perth
The delightful wildlife reserve of Rottnest Island off the Perth coast is like the
city's own Great Barrier Reef in miniature. Its jewel-bright waters, warm currents,
rocky coves, and many sheltered beaches harbor
coral reefs
and 360 kinds of fish
that make for fabulous snorkeling. You may spot humpback whales September
through December, and dolphins surfing the waves anytime. The island is also
home to 10,000
quokkas,
cute otterlike marsupials that reach up to your knees.
A wonderful thing about Rottnest is that there are no cars. Everyone gets around
by bike (or bus, if you tire of pedaling over the mostly moderate-grade hills).
The island is 11km (7 miles) long and 4.5km (3 miles) across at its widest point.
ESSENTIALS
GETTING THERE Boat Torque Cruises
(
&
08/9221 5888
) and
Oceanic
Cruises
(
&
08/9325 1191
) operate services at least three times a day from Perth
(trip time: about 1 hr. 45 min.), and four to seven times a day from Fremantle
(trip time: about 25 min.). The
Rottnest Express ferry
(
&
08/9335 6406
)
runs four or five times a day from Fremantle only. Round-trip fares from Perth
average about A$60 (US$39), or about A$40 (US$26) from Fremantle. Boat
Torque and Oceanic pick you up free from most Perth and Fremantle hotels.
You pay about A$5 (US$3.25) more if you return on a later day. Most boat oper-
ators offer day-trip and accommodations packages, as well as straight transfers.
Kookaburra Air
(
&
08/9354 1158;
www.kookaburra.iinet.net.au) and
Rot-
tnest Air Taxi
(
&
1800/500 006
in Western Australia, or 08/9292 5027;
www.rottnest.de) provide aerial transfers. A round-trip in a four-seater (includ-
ing the pilot) aircraft with Rottnest Air Taxi is A$180 (US$117) for the plane.
VISITOR INFORMATION
Information is dispensed by the
Rottnest
Island Visitor & Information Centre
(
&
08/9372 9752
), which is right at
the end of the jetty on the island. The center is run by the
Rottnest Island
Authority
(
&
08/9432 9300;
www.rottnest.wa.gov.au). The Perth Visitor Cen-
tre (see “Visitor Information,” in the Perth section, earlier in this chapter) also
has information.
GETTING AROUND
Ferries pull into the jetty in the main town, called “Set-
tlement” at Thomson Bay.
Rottnest Bike Hire
(
&
08/9292 5105
), next to the
Rottnest Hotel near the jetty, rents 2,300 bikes in every size, speed, and type, as
well as holders for everything from surfboards to babies. An 18-speed bike is A$20
(US$13) for a 24-hour day (plus a A$25/US$16 refundable deposit), including
a helmet (compulsory in Australia) and lock. There is no need to book a bike.
The yellow
Bayseeker
bus does half-hourly circumnavigations calling at
16 stops including all the best bays. An all-day ticket costs A$7 (US$4.55) for
adults, A$3.50 (US$2.25) for children 4 to 12, and A$17 (US$11) for families
of 4 (extra child A$1.65/US$1.05). Buy tickets on board.
A free bus runs regularly between the airport and four of the five small com-
munities around the island—Thomson Bay Settlement, Geordie, Fay's and Lon-
greach Bays. It does not run to the Basin, which is a 15-minute walk from the
Settlement.
