We asked what you love most about Rottnest Island, and almost four thousand of you answered. Almost a quarter of you said it was the quokkas. We get it; that’s our favourite thing on Rottnest Island as well.
“The quokkas — they deserve a raise. They’ve been Rotto’s marketing team for years,” one reader said. Another called them “tiny, fluffy influencers who pose for every camera, steal the spotlight, and somehow make you feel like the background extra”. One reader wrote: “I’m sure it’s 99% of the answers, but the quokkas of course.”
A few of you have clearly spent time watching them work a crowd. “Seeing the quokkas in the bakery. They are like little furry zombies, always persisting ahead despite getting turned away.” “Quokkas stealing my snacks with zero remorse.” “Watching cheeky quokkas sneak into areas they’re not supposed to be.”
And one reader is there for the joeys: “Seeing the families of quokkas and the beautiful joeys just coming out of the pouch and retreating there close to their mothers.”
Quokkas aside, here’s what the rest of you told us.
The beaches
The many beaches, bays, and coves of Rottnest Island came up in about 900 answers. WA is spoilt when it comes to us having the best beaches in the world, and Rottnest is no different. The bigger question is: which is your favourite beach on Rottnest?
“There’s always at least one calm beach for snorkelling, no matter which way the wind is blowing.”
“The colour of the water in Geordie Bay in summer.”
“The long empty beaches in winter.”
“The quiet, the fact you can be on your own beach with thousands of people on the island.”
Bikes and no cars
The absence of cars is one of the best parts. Being able to walk or cycle anywhere on the island, without the noise and pollution of cars, is wonderful.
“Cycling around the island first thing in the morning before anyone is awake. Feeling like I have the whole entire island to myself.”
“The freedom. Seeing the children on their bikes with trainer wheels, still in their pyjamas and a snorkel mask on. Sums up the spirit perfectly.”
“Riding my bike around the island and getting absolutely cooked in the sun and munched on by flies, but the beaches are worth it.”
“A spectacular bay awaits after each hill climb.”
The wildlife
Snorkelling is something that is often forgotten when it comes to visiting Rottnest Island, even though it’s one of the best snorkelling areas in WA.
“Finding brilliant creatures under the sea, from vibrant nudis to ancient crays.”
“Snorkelling the crystal clear waters at Henrietta Rocks while viewing the marine life’s home at the shark wreck.”
“I love the wildlife — quokkas, seals, bird watching, dolphins and fish.”
“Bike riding to the West End to check out the osprey.”
“The peacocks roaming free, my favourite bird.”
Slowing down
For many, it’s just the feeling rather than a place, an animal, or an activity: peace, quiet, relaxing, switching off, and slowing down.
“The moment I step onto the island, something in my chest loosens. My shoulders drop before I’ve even noticed they were raised.”
“Looking back at the city and realising that I have left the rat race.”
“The peaceful evenings when day trippers leave the island.”
Overseas, without the passport
An island close by but feels like somewhere much further away.
“No passport. No jet lag. To be able to travel just 19 kilometres and discover a destination that feels a world away.”
“It’s my backyard island that my kids love. It’s better than taking them overseas.”
“A world-class island location, without the pomp and pretension of its global equivalents.”
“Boasting to UK family via photos how beautiful Rottnest is and how lucky we are.”
The bakery, the pub, and everything in between
Food and drink was a popular suggestion, and the bakery beat every restaurant on the island combined.
The bakery answers were oddly precise about which item. Cinnamon scrolls, jam doughnuts, pies, pizza bread, vanilla slices, and fresh bread all had their advocates.
“I know I should say the relaxing moments by the beach, enjoying a glass of wine at sunset, but it really is the lamingtons from the bakery.”
“Those jam doughnuts at the bakery, and I have to walk there.”
“Little Parakeet Bay snorkelling, riding around the island, seagulls stealing my chocolate éclair from the bakery.”
“After a day of exploring the beautiful coast and swimming, heading to the pub for a meal and thinking how bloody lucky we are to have Rotto on our doorstep.”
“Wednesday quiz nights at Hotel Rottnest, seeing a mix of locals and holiday-goers getting together.”
Kids, and a version of childhood people recognise
A lot of the answers focused on family, with many describing the island as a place where children can behave the way their parents did.
“Letting the kids play in the street with the neighbours’ kids. It’s something that has been mostly lost from our modern lives.”
“An 80s childhood for my kids where they run (ride) free”.
“We have been visiting Rottnest for over 60 years. That is four generations of family memories.”
“In 98 I had my Year 7 camp for graduation, and in 2025 so did my youngest daughter in Year 6. The stories she told were almost like my own memories.”
“Memories of weekends going over on my Dad’s boat that he built himself.”
“I used to live there when I was five or six. My dad worked there as a police officer.”
Winter, and the hours after the last ferry
Sometimes, the island is better when fewer people are on it.
“When the last ferry leaves, you can feel the island breathe again. And you breathe with it.”
“The peaceful evenings when day trippers leave the island.”
“The serenity after 5:00 pm.”
“Going for a swim at The Basin in crisp blue clear water in the morning before the ferries drop day visitors.”
“A winter weekend on Rottnest is my favourite thing. We just had three days there last week, and the peacefulness of the island at this time of year is hard to beat.”
“The long empty beaches in winter.”
“The views, the blues, and the hues of winter.”
The history
Then there’s the island’s history..
“The fact that the island recognises its Indigenous history more these days.”
“The true history is finally being told, plus the natural beauty.”
“The array of native plants that tell the story of how Aboriginal people used Country, and shows its significance that we so often overlook.”
“I’m impressed with the volunteers who take the time to meet and inform people of the history and the wildlife.”
The one-off answers
“The lighthouse. My husband proposed to me there.”
“My grandparents met there while they were in the army.”
“Seeing the small seedlings I’ve helped plant to regenerate areas grow into lush green spaces.”
“The unique-to-Rottnest smell of the salt lake, sand, and pine trees.”
“Walking around at night and smelling barbecues cooking.”
“Seeing how bright the stars are in the night sky.”
“A fond memory from a time I visited as a teenager. My friends and I got matching shark plushies on the island. I’ve had Silver the shark ever since.”
