Rottnest Island - Day Trip Budget & Healthy Travel (Australia Series)
WELCOME to Rottnest Island on a BUDGET 💰 and HEALTHY 🍒
First things first...
Book your ferry
Choose your ferry:
👉Sealink (I used this one)
👉Rottnest Express
👉Rottnest Fast Ferries
Here are the websites and timetables for each company:
My top ferry tips:
👉 Ferry timetables may change depending on the day and season, so it's worth checking using the links above.
👉 If you are ONLY visiting for the day, catch the earliest ferry in the morning (usually 7am) and aim to get the second to last ferry in the afternoon/evening (incase you miss it 😉).
👉 Choose your nearest departure:
Perth City
North Fremantle (Rous Head)
Fremantle (Victoria Quay)
Hillarys Boat Harbour.
👉 Both companies offer snorkels and bike hire; you don't have to hire them from here as there are companies on the island. I definitely recommend hiring a bike regardless.
👉 Compare prices - you may find special deals for experiences or equipment hire.
👉 Fares include your island admission fee.
Choose your transport
TRANSPORT OPTIONS: Cars are not allowed on Rottnest island so your options are:
👉 Walk
👉 Bus
👉 Bike
👉 Private transfer
Reasons you should choose a BIKE HIRE:
👉You can stop anywhere you like
👉You don't have to wait around for someone to pick you up
👉You can access more secluded places
👉You can cover more ground (this island is too big to walk in a day)
👉Fun
Transport sorted ✅
Now for the fun part...
Where to go?
These are the best spots for...
👉 Surfing
👉 Beaches for Kids
👉Morning Beaches
👉Sunsets
👉Views
👉Snorkelling
👉More Beaches
👉Lakes
👉 You will likely find quokkas around this area since it is quieter.
Bonus Attractions
👉Visit the underground tunnels of the WWII Oliver Hill battery
👉Whale spotting at The West End (August to November)
Where to spot Quokkas?
PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: Quokkas are found all over the island but since they are nocturnal they may be sleeping. You'll likely find them in the early morning or late afternoon.
Here are some places you may find them:
👉 Garden Lake
👉 On your walk to The Basin
👉 On the Ngank Yira Bidi trail to Bickley Bay
👉 Just before the ascent to Wadjemup Lighthouse
👉 As you cycle to Stark Bay
Tips for Quokka Conservation:
👉 Observe, don't touch them
👉 Don't feed them
👉 Stay on designated paths
Healthy Eating
BUDGET FOOD OPTIONS: Rottnest is a very small island, so food options (especially healthy) are limited. There are restaurants and cafes on the island but they are more expensive.
Here are some tips to eat healthy and cheap:
👉Eat a decent breakfast the morning
👉Bring a packed lunch/snacks
👉Go to the General Store on the island to make a picnic lunch
ICE CREAM LOVERS: Visit the converted caravans located around the island for some delicious ice cream!
My Top Recommendations
These are tried and tested (by me) recommendations for visiting Rottnest Island for a cheap day trip.
FREE ACTIVITIES:
👉Swimming (Pinky Beach and The Basin)
👉The Lighthouse
👉Finding a quokka
👉Chilling on the beach (see recs above)
PAID ACTIVITY:
👉Bike hire (Pedal and Flipper)
PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES:
👉The Basin (there's a lookout over a ledge that has a great view)
👉Pinky Beach & The Lighthouse
👉Quokka selfie
👉The Pink Lake
Final thoughts
Pros
👉Stunning views
👉Has a rich history - I didn't touch too much on this because I have time to visit a lot of these attractions.
👉Accessible from Perth City
Cons
👉Transport (ferry/bike) can initially be expensive but there is not much alternative.
👉Limited food options that are healthy and cheap.
👉So big that you might miss out on seeing the whole island in a day.
👉Some beaches are busy compared to others
Rottnest Island is a MUST DO for any backpacker visiting Australia 🏝
If you found this useful...
👉 FOLLOW my instagram for more 🍒 HEALTHY and 💰 BUDGET travel tips @tori.wanderlust
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