Rottnest Island

Rottnest Island is the summit of a magnificent island in Australia and a holiday sanctuary with pristine beaches, turquoise bays, biking routes, and walking trails, and is home to the happiest creatures on the planet.

Rottnest Island, sometimes known as "Rotto," is a 19-square-kilometer (7.3-square-mile) island off Western Australia's coast, 18 kilometers (11 miles) west of Fremantle. Rottnest Island is a sand-covered, low-lying island with aeolianite limestone as its foundation. It is an A-class reserve, the highest level of protection given to public land. Rottnest Island, like Garden Island, is a remnant of Pleistocene dune ridges.

This protected nature reserve is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including stunning marine life and, of course, the charming quokka. Discover a rich cultural legacy, visit various beaches and bays, swim and snorkel in crystal-clear waters, and meet the world's happiest animal, all in this idyllic setting. With blindingly white sand, water so clean you can see down to your toes, and coves made by organically carved rocks, Rottnest's beaches are a slice of paradise.

Relax in eco-glamping tents, ancient cottages, or plush hotels at night, or bring your camping gear and enjoy the simple life as city lights glitter across the water.

With so many tours, activities, and attractions to choose from, you'll never be bored on Rottnest Island. Skydive onto the beach, paddle a glass-bottom kayak, take a Segway tour, or listen to Aboriginal stories about Wadjemup, the site where spirits live across the water. More recent history is told through museums, barracks, lighthouses, war artifacts, and railways.

Area: 19 km²

Location: 12 miles (19 km) northwest of Fremantle (at the mouth of the Swan River, near Perth), Western Australia.