Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ISLAND ORIENTATION TOURS
Many first-time visitors take the
2-hour Island Bus Tour
because it is a good
introduction to the bays and the island's cultural and natural history—and
because it includes a stop to see the quokkas. It costs A$22 (US$14) for adults,
A$11 (US$7.15) for kids 4 to 12, and A$50 (US$33) for families of four (extra
child A$5/US$3.25). Departure times vary, but you can expect them to run
twice a day, usually around 10:30am and 1:30pm. Buy tickets from the Visitor
Centre.
SNORKELING, DIVING, SURFING & FISHING
Most people come to Rottnest to snorkel, swim, surf, dive, or fish. As soon as
you arrive, rent a bike and your preferred aquatic gear, and pedal around the
coast until you come to a beach that suits you. (Don't forget to carry drinking
water and food, because the only shops are at Settlement.) The Basin, Little
Parakeet Bay, Little Salmon Bay, and Parker Point are good snorkel spots. The
Visitor Centre sells maps to suggested
snorkel trails.
Surfers should try Cathe-
dral Rocks or Strickland Bay. Fishermen will catch squid, salmon, and tailor,
as well as all kinds of reef fish. The island's dive shop,
Rottnest Malibu Diving
(
&
08/9292 5111
), near the jetty, rents snorkel gear, dive gear, wet suits, surf-
boards, body boards, aqua-bikes, and fishing tackle. The company conducts two
daily trips to some of the 100-plus dive sites around Rottnest. Some feature
limestone caverns and some of the island's 14 shipwrecks. A shore or boat dive
with all gear included is A$60 (US$39). If you have never dived before but want
to try, a 1- to 2-hour theory lesson followed by a boat dive is A$200 (US$130)
including return transport from Perth.
FOR HISTORY BUFFS
Rottnest has quite a bit to offer history buffs, who may want to walk (45-min.
trip), cycle, or take the train to the Oliver Hill 1930s gun emplacements, which
has intact 9.2-inch guns and battery tunnels housing an engine room, a plotting
room, and observation posts. You can explore the 1.5km (1-mile) heritage trail
on your own (maps are at the Visitor Centre), or take a guided 1-hour tour on
the hour between 11am and 2pm inclusive. The train fare, which includes the
tour except for the last trip of the day, costs A$15 (US$9.75) for adults, A$7.70
(US$5) for children 4 to 12, and A$39 (US$25) for families of four (extra child
A$3.85/US$2.50). It departs from the station near the Visitor Centre hourly
from 10:30am to 2:30pm inclusive.
Volunteer guides run several free 1-hour walking tours. One is a historical tour
of architectural points of interest around Thomson Bay, many of which were
built in the 19th century, such as the Governor's residence, the chapel, the octag-
onal prison, the small
museum
(
&
08/9372 9753;
open daily 11am-4pm), and
the former Boys' Reformatory. Another heritage trail takes you to the memorial
marking de Vlamingh, the Dutch explorer who named the island Rott Enest
(Rat Nest) in 1696 when he mistook quokkas for rats. There are also quokka
walks, an Aboriginal historical walk, and a walk to Bathurst lighthouse.
WHERE TO STAY & DINE
Call the
Rottnest Island Authority's accommodations booking service
(
&
08/
9432 9111
) to book one of the island's 250-plus holiday homes, apartments,
cabins, historic cottages, or the campground. Don't expect anything new or
upscale. Water and electricity restrictions mean no accommodations are air-
conditioned. Book well in advance all through summer; accommodations during
