A Day on Rottnest Island: Quokkas, Views and Questionable Leg Strength

I went to Rottnest Island for the smiling quokkas. I hadn’t realised the bicycle ride would give my legs quite so much to complain about.

The day started with a 7am ferry from Fremantle. Calm seas, crisp air and the promise of meeting ridiculously photogenic wildlife. A promising start.

The quokkas certainly delivered. They went about their business munching leaves while I attempted to get a selfie. This requires patience, luck and accepting that the quokka will look better than you in every shot. Admire them without touching or feeding them—being adorable doesn’t make them any less wild.

Then it was time to explore by rented bike. Rottnest is wonderfully peaceful, with very little vehicle traffic, but considerably more hills than the postcards had led me to expect.

Thankfully, every climb brought a reward: turquoise water around Bathurst Lighthouse, beautiful inland lakes and stretches of scenery that reminded me of cycling through Nintendo’s Wii Sports Resort.

By the time I reached Wadjemup Lighthouse, my legs had filed an official complaint. I admired it from the base. The view was already lovely, and I felt no need to negotiate further.

All too soon, it was back to the jetty for my 4pm ferry. Quokkas, lakes, lighthouses and a little unexpected exercise made this a day trip I’d happily recommend.

I came for the cute selfies and left with tired legs—and a strong suspicion that the quokkas are secretly running the place.