Quokka
Melissa Krafchek

Highlights

Quokka country

The quokka is a native marsupial found primarily on Rottnest. It is seminocturnal and furry, and grows to the size of a hare. There are about 10 000 quokkas on the island. Find the interpretive signs about a kilometre south of Thomson Bay, just before Kingstown Barracks; if you don’t see a quokka here, then there are good viewing spots along the boardwalk at Garden Lake.

The Basin

An outer reef surrounds Rottnest, protecting the clear waters and creating calm conditions for family swimming. The Basin provides one of a number of beautiful sandy beaches on the eastern end of the island. It is within easy walking distance of Thomson Bay and has basic facilities.

Underwater wonderland

The diversity of fish and coral species and the numerous shipwrecks found around the island make Rottnest a favourite site for scuba divers and snorkellers. Dive charters and snorkelling tours are popular; if you prefer not to get wet, enjoy the underwater scenery aboard the glass-bottomed Underwater Explorer.

West End

The ‘West End’ of Rottnest can be reached on an 11 km bike ride along a sealed road, or on a bus tour. There are stunning ocean views from Cape Vlamingh (where you may also spot a humpback whale in winter) and a 1 km heritage trail that affords sightings of wedge-tailed shearwaters, fairy terns, quokkas and bottlenose dolphins.

Focus On: Island heritage

Known as Wadjemup to the Nyungar people, Rottnest was unoccupied when Europeans arrived although there is evidence of Aboriginal occupation around 7000 years ago, when the island was linked to the mainland. The island was given the unflattering name Rotte-nest, meaning ‘rats’ nest’, in 1696 by the explorer Willem de Vlamingh, who mistook the island’s quokkas for large rats. Europeans settled on the island in 1831. From 1838 to 1903 it was used as a prison for Aboriginal people. During World War I it became an internment camp and in 1917 it was declared an A-class reserve. World War II saw it used as a military post. Many heritage sites can be found, including an original 1840s streetscape – Thomson Bay’s Vincent Way. Other interesting sites are the Chapel (1858), the octagonal prison building known as the Quad (1864), the Oliver Hill Gun Battery (1930s) and Rottnest Lighthouse (1859) on Wadjemup Hill.