A RETREAT GETAWAY TO ROTTNEST ISLAND
Where to Stay:
Who knew that one small island off the coast of Perth can offer such a wide variety of places to stay. Whether you are wanting to have a bit more of a luxury getaway or just need a place to crash your head here is where you should stay.
Luxury: Known simply as the Island Couples Retreat, there are two self contained private beach villas awaiting your getaway.
Hotel: The hotel with the most obvious name award goes to Hotel Rottnest. Located right in downtown, near the jetty, airport and situated in the beautiful Thompson lies 18 fully serviced modern rooms.
Basic: Just need a place to sleep when the day is done? The North Heritage Bungalows have a fully equipped kitchen, bed and shower.
Camping: Rottnest Island has campgrounds to accommodate 43 sites (max 6 people with 2 tents) with BBQ facilities available.
How to get there:
By Ferry: Ferry is arguably the most popular (and cheapest) way to get to Rottnest Island. There are two companies you can use with departures leaving from Hillary's Boat Harbour, Perth City and Fremantle with prices starting at $79 (including Rottnest Island admission fee) depending on which location you leave from.
By Air: Travel to Rottnest by air and in style with two small plane charter companies as well as a helicopter company offering flights. Cheapest flight I could find was $249.50 (one way) including the landing fee.
By Boat: Own your own boat? Why not charter your way to the island? Mooring and Jetty fees start at $42 in high season plus $18 admission pass per person.
What to see:
Quokkas: Arguably the biggest highlight of Rottnest Island, even for Perth for some travellers. Thousands head around the world to grab a snap with this very cute animals. Just picture a miniature kangaroo that looks slightly like a cuddly rat and you've got your self a quokka!
Snorkel the Reef: Hire out some snorkels or bring your own to see some beautiful coral sea life.
What to do:
Hire a bike: Rottnest Island is small, but not that small that you can comfortably walk the entire circuit. Why not make an afternoon out of it and hire out a bike to see the beautiful natural environment the island has to offer. $30 for an entire day use or $13 an hour if you are there for a half day.
Go on a bus tour: Feeling a bit lazy? Want to see the entire island but those legs were just not made for walking? For $20 you can get an all day pass on the explorer bus that takes your all over the island with ease.
Segway Tour: Okay, so we did one of these segway tours in Canada and loved it - would do it again in a heartbeat. Prices start from $89.
See Rottnest from the air: We did a Rottnest Island joy flight a few years ago with a friend of ours and it was seriously unreal! Flights start from $45 for 10 minutes. If you are interesting in finding discounted air tickets to Rottnest Island, head to OZCodes.com.au.
Hire out a stand up paddle board: We hired a paddle board for the first time in the Maldives and found them to be super relaxing, highly recommend getting one out. $50 for half day usage.
Go golfing: Personally not the biggest golfer myself, more of a golf buggy driver enthusiast, but if you want to hit some holes there is a 9 hole layout on the island.
Re-live the Hunger Games: Okay, so you can't actually join the games in Panem, but you can re-enact scenes from the movie at the Archerytag setup.
Skydive: Yep, the only place to skydive over an island in Western Australia, so why not conquer your fear of heights right here in Rottnest!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uk-sWV47XGA
Have you been over to Rottnest yet? How did you spend your day on the island?
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