Rottnest take 2

I went to Rottnest back in 2011 for the first time, just for a day trip with two girlfriends. It was only a few months after moving to Australia. We had a good day riding bikes and having a swim - it was a nice time with good company. I knew I must be missing something - everyone who grew up in Perth LOVES Rottnest because they have so many memories from multiple family holidays and leavers (graduation) parties. Everyone said that you have to at least spend the night (or several nights) to really understand the charm of Rottnest, and I’d have to agree. Chris and I went for a long weekend back in June.

We took a Friday evening ferry for the 40 minute trip, which covers the 11 miles (18 km) between Fremantle and the island. There are no cars allowed so most people get around on bikes; we took ours with us. You wouldn’t think a 19 sq km (7.3 sq miles) island is that big, but with all the hills it can be pretty tough riding! (at least for this chick who doesn’t bike that often!)

Chris with our bikes

The main settlement at Thomson Bay

We stayed at the Hotel Rottnest which is near the main settlement in Thomson Bay. It was originally the Governor’s residence on the island and has now been recently redone, which was quite nice (and has a nice pub and a nice lawn drinking area where all the quokkas beg for food). There are multiple other settlements with modest cabin type housing (Longreach and Geordie Bays). You can also stay in the “Quad”, which used to be the Aboriginal prison. There are also tourist rooms available in the former boys reformatory dorms, and good plain old camping spots.

I wrote more about it in my original Rottnest blog, but the island also has a military history with several big guns installed to defend the port of Fremantle during the WWII. We spent some time at one of the guns on Oliver Hill (I had to walk my bike up part of that thing). It also has former military barracks, lookouts and bunkers, lighthouses, and a railway that used to supply the guns. 

The WWII gun at Oliver Hill

Goofing around with old helmets - who wouldn't laugh "with" that guy?!

One of the nice things about the setup is that you can get as involved in the island’s history as you’d like. There are signs and informative placards located in many spots that you can read or ignore at your leisure (I think I read most of them :) ), there are free walking tours with a guide, etc. You can be as active or as inactive as you’d like. You can swim, bike, snorkel, surf etc.; or just sit and read a book. You can go out for nice meals or you can cook for yourself or have a BBQ. You can have too many drinks at the pub with your friends or you can just take it easy. 

And the nicest part of all is the beautiful location – even in the “winter” when we went (I use the term “winter” very loosely…..Aussies think it’s winter anyway). After all, Vlamingh (the Captain who so aptly named the island “rat’s nest” due to the quokkas), described the island as “a paradise on earth.” And it’s 11 miles from where I live. I understand the sentiment a bit more now.