Rottnest Island

I went to Rottnest Island last Tuesday!

What's that you say? You've never HEARD of Rottnest Island? Well, your knowledge of Western Australian geography is obviously not up to scratch, but I will take pity on your poor, under-educated self and fill you in.

Rottnest Island is 18km off the coast of Fremantle, a neighborhood in Perth. The ferry takes about half an hour, or an hour and a half if you travel from downtown. Doing it this way also costs $20 more, and I think that money is better spent on ice cream in Freo, or on the island itself.

Once you get there, you have the option of renting bicycles, taking a bus or train tour, or even walking. Its total area is only 19km squared, and the paths are definitely doable by foot if you're up to it. Be warned beforehand though, bring plenty of water and snacks, as there are very few places around the island where you can purchase aforementioned sustenance.

**interesting sidenote** I ran out of water after a few hours of walking, and when I got to the Island supermarket (the size of which is proportional to the island itself, keep in mind) I bought a litre of red Powerade and then drank all of it in one sitting. Probably the most orgasmic experience of my week, and without a doubt my best Powerade moment EVER.

Rottnest Island, called Wadjemup by Aboriginals and Rotto by slang-loving Aussies, is probably most famous for its quokkas- the half-rat half-kangaroo like marsupials that can be found there and there alone. They're cute, and certainly not shy at all. They'll come right up to you and start licking their fingers, letting you pet them. They're not particularly endangered but because they live on one small island in the entire world I suppose they're considered to be quite rare. So they've never been hunted, nor do they have very many natural predators on the island.

Overall, it was a really good day and I would highly recommend it as a day-trip from Perth or even to spend a few nights in the hotel or rent a self-contained unit for the family. The beaches are wonderful, there are plenty of trails to explore and no city distractions to bring you down.