My Rottnest Island Adventure: What to See, Do and Why You Should Stay Overnight

Our adventure began in Fremantle, where we caught the 11am ferry to Rottnest Island. The journey took around 30 minutes, and we were treated to a lovely little surprise before we'd even left the harbour – dolphins swimming alongside us!

It was such an unexpected start to the day and a little reminder that in Australia, you never quite know what wildlife encounters might be waiting around the corner. Before long, we were arriving on Rottnest Island, ready to discover its beautiful coastline, laid-back atmosphere and famous furry residents.

A little tip from me: You don't necessarily have to return to the same place you departed from. We caught the ferry back to Hillarys rather than Fremantle, with the journey taking approximately 45 minutes. It's worth considering different ferry routes when planning your Western Australia itinerary, particularly if you're exploring more of the Perth coastline.

After arriving and enjoying a little wander, we headed to Lodge Wadjemup for lunch.

We enjoyed a shared, feast-style meal, which I thought was a brilliant idea. There was something for everyone, making it a lovely opportunity to sit back, enjoy some good food and soak up the relaxed island atmosphere. One thing I'd particularly recommend trying is the chicken. It was so succulent and delicious! With lunch enjoyed and plenty more of Rottnest Island waiting to be discovered, it was time for one of my favourite experiences of the whole trip.

If you fancy doing something a little different on Rottnest Island, I'd wholeheartedly recommend the two-hour Segway Coastal Explorer tour. I'll admit, I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but it turned out to be so much fun! It was such a fantastic way to explore the island without having to walk everywhere, and we got to take in some of the most incredible coastal scenery along the way. And when I say incredible, I really mean it.

Rottnest Island is home to 63 bays and 20 beaches, and everywhere we looked there was another stretch of beautiful coastline, soft sand, and the clearest blue water. The turquoise shades were something else, and honestly, even the photographs don't quite do them justice. My favourite part was simply riding around on the Segways, discovering different beaches and stopping to admire those spectacular views. It was one of those experiences that made the trip feel extra special, and I'd recommend giving it a go even if it’s a little outside your comfort zone.

My tip: Don't be afraid to try something different on holiday. Some of your best memories can come from experiences you might never have considered before!

Of course, no visit to Rottnest Island would be complete without meeting its most famous residents: the quokkas!

These adorable little marsupials are one of the island's biggest attractions, and they really are as cute as everyone says. We had plenty of giggles trying to get that perfect quokka selfie, and it was lovely seeing them wandering around in their natural surroundings.

They're wonderfully photogenic and seem so relaxed as they go about their day. We even spotted them close by during our evening meal, which made the experience feel even more special. Just remember that quokkas are wild animals, so admire them from a respectful distance. It's important not to touch or feed them, even if those little faces make it very tempting!

Want our top tips on how to get that perfect quokka selfie? Check out the groups full Quokka experience and other Western Australia blogs! 

As evening approached, we headed to Pinky's Restaurant, beautifully located just behind Pinky's Beach.

We decided to sit outside, and it was such a lovely setting. The quokkas were wandering around nearby, completely unbothered by our presence. However, they weren't the only wildlife keeping us company! The enormous seagulls were another story entirely. You definitely had to keep an eye on your food because these cheeky characters weren't shy about swooping down and trying to help themselves. We found it absolutely hilarious, although you had to be quick!

For starters, I ordered the calamari. The portions were enormous, and I could easily have shared mine with someone else. For my main course, I chose the steak, which was cooked to perfection. Between the delicious food, beautiful surroundings, and wildlife wandering nearby, it was a really memorable evening. And the best part? We didn't have to rush off afterwards to catch the last ferry home.

While plenty of visitors choose to explore Rottnest Island on a day trip from Perth or Fremantle, staying overnight was one of the best decisions we made.