What a lot of Quokkas

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Rottnest Island lies about 50 mins off the coast from Perth and is reached by ferry. The island was discovered in 1696 by a dutch explorer and got its name after the islands “Quokkas” were mistaken for giant rats (Rottnest = rats nest) After housing a prison for aboriginal men between 1838-1903 it became a detainment centre during WW1 for german and Austrian descendents. Only after this did it become a holiday playground and island reserve.
After almost missing the morning ferry we arrived onto the 19km² island and waited for our hire bikes to be unloaded from the ferry(as the island is car free the only way to get around is on foot or by bike!) Having prebooked our hire bikes ahead we were told they would be labelled with our names on and waiting for us....not the case as we were told to line up and just handed a bike as they were unloaded (don’t bother prebooking a more expensive multi gear bike...you get given one anyway!!) After setting off on mine and realising that the saddle was jammed at a very uncomfortable angle I returned and was allowed to change bikes (“just go and help yourself to another one”) We then set off south on the island following a cycle route we had been given at the information centre which would loop around the whole island (someone forgot to mention that the island is full of hills!!) First stop was a place called Henrietta Rocks where a shipwrecked boat could be seen from the shoreline. We also encountered our first Quokkas...a bit like a cross between a mini kangaroo with rat features, but furry like a rabbit! Very strange creatures and apparently unique to this island. We cycled on to Parker Point before stopping at Salmon Bay to have a bit of a swim and sunbathe. As soon as we had settled down grey clouds appeared from nowhere bringing with it drops of rain...no!! What was the most gorgeous white sandy beach became too cold to sit on as the wind picked up and swirled around us. We jumped back on the bikes and carried on cycling round and even though the sun came back out the sea was just too cold to swim in (for us anyway!) We peddled up to Wadjemup Lighthouse before heading out to the most westerly point of the island, Cape Vlamingh which was breathtaking. As no one else was around we had the peace and tranquillity as we gazed out to sea, the only sounds being the waves crashing onto the shoreline below us.
After a very long and arduous cycle around the top of the island (still with stunning views) we eventually made it back to Thomson Bay and rewarded ourselves with ice creams followed by a visit to the Quokka Arms pub before catching our return ferry back to Perth. Needless to say we slept very well that night!

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Photos

Too tame
How many times do people have to be told NOT to feed them

How cute
The quokka i mean!