The unique Rottnest Island – A különleges Rottnest-sziget

This island, a nature conservation area, is located not far away (33 kilometers) from Perth. It’s a special and popular destination because of its stunning white-sand beaches, picturesque scenery, but mainly because of its dwarf marsupials, the quokkas.

Day 24, Sunday, September 29: Wadjemup/Rottnest Island

A shuttle bus took us from our hotel to the Rottnest Express ferry at Elizabeth Quay in Perth. We arrived on the island around 11 am (after an hour and 45-minute ride that also stopped at Fremantle), and had until 5 pm to see as much as we could.

Many people explore the sights of this car free place by renting a bike, but we opted for a discovery bus ride.

The 90-minute tour took us around the island. We saw the crystal clear water of the Indian Ocean, the beutiful beaches, and from our guide we learned about the history of the island, its cultural significance for Aboriginal people, its unique ecosystem, wildlife and flora.

We stopped at the rugged West End, where we walked on boardwalk admiring the sea, the flowers, and the seabirds.

It was the first Dutch explorer who gave the island its famous name. When he landed on the island at the end of 17th century and saw the many quokkas, he mistakenly thought they were large rats. He named the island Rottenest (later shortened to Rottnest), which means ”rat’s nest” in Dutch. But, in Australian Aboriginal Noongar language the name is Wadjemup, which means ”the land across the sea where the spirits are.”

We had lunch at a local bakery and that’s where we first spotted a few quokkas. There was a sign to keep them out from the area, but they still found their way in. There are signs on the island to keep your distance from them, don’t feed them, don’t touch them, but unfortunately – probably because they are cute and friendly – people sometimes don’t obey the rules.

Later, as we walked around the island at our own pace, we checked out Pinky Beach and one of the two lighthouses (Bathurst Lighthouse), and The Basin.

As we continued along, we were lucky to observe the quokkas in their natural habitat as they went about their movements. We spent some time watching a quokka mother and baby as they were foraging for their food.

We walked by one of the 12 salt lakes on the island (there is no fresh water), and saw some shorebirds.

It was a good day as we were happy to meet some quokkas because in the entire world they are only found on two islands in Western Australia and one managed conservation area on the mainland. A really enjoyable gift!

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