Rottnest Island
 

Mr PP and I are going to Rottnest Island next Saturday, I am going out to buy snorkelling gear today.

Does anyone have any tips on the best things to do, where to go, where to eat?

I have heard it is really beautiful, can't wait to go.:thumbsup:

If you went to Rotto, what did you think of it?

Re: Rottnest Island
 

We went on the ferry a couple of years ago but didn't really enjoy it. My daughter wouldn't cycle or snorkel so we did a tourist coach round the island then had fish and chips in the Quokka Arms (or didn't as they took an hour to arrive so we had to dash off to catch the ferry). It is not cheap on the ferry either when there are a few of you.

But I have been again recently on a dive and on a friend's boat and really enjoyed it. There is surprisingly little there by way of pubs, cafes etc by UK standards so it is all about making your own entertainment by cycling, diving, snorkelling etc.

Re: Rottnest Island
 

We visited there about 15 years ago just for a day trip with a coach tour. Thoroughly enjoyed it and wished that we'd stopped a couple of nights, one day we will probably go back. There was a cafeteria that you could see from the ferry wharf, about 150 metres away, old Victorian building, we had a very good value lunch there, three choices plus several salads and vegetables. Will be very interested to hear about your snorkelling, I've never done any but am interested. Recently bought one of the cheap underwater cameras from ALDI and I'm dying to try it out somewhere.

Re: Rottnest Island
 

Mr PP is planning to take our own picnic, some cold beers in the cool bag kind of thing, or perhaps if we are going to drink alcohol - have it in the pub.

Im trying to find one of those rashes(?) tops to stop me sunburning, with the size of my chest I am going to look like a wet dolphin in it!

Re: Rottnest Island
 

Hi PP

We went to Rottnest for a day trip last year. It's a lovely island and next time we said we'd stay for a few days as our day trip was a bit rushed.

There are a few cafes on the island but mainly (or all can't remember) around the ferry terminal - there is a Dome cafe where we ate.

There is surfing at Salmon bay on the south but the pretty beaches were in the north at Geordie and Longreach and The Basin.

One thing to watch is if the island is busy then the bus service around the island can get very busy and you might have to wait for the next one if it's full! If it isn't too hot you can hire bicycles.

We had the added bonus of seeing a Quokka as well!

Have a fun day!

KK

Re: Rottnest Island
 

We visited Rottie in 2006 and had a fab time

We hired bikes and rode around the island and saw several quokkas.

There were loads of little coves where we parked-up our bikes and went for a dip in the sea - ideal for snorkelling!

Plenty of places to eat and drink (near the ferry terminal)

Had a fairly rough trip back as the weather turned, but all in all a great day

Have fun

Re: Rottnest Island
 

You could also fly to Rottnest, there was a light aircraft firm doing charters, I think you need four passengers to make it worthwhile.

Re: Rottnest Island
 

Go to Jim Kidd sports in Freo and get a rashy there, pretty cheap, you'll also get some cheap snorkelling gear. If you have a bike take your own otherwise you can hire them, best way to get around.

Go to the west end of the island for better snorkelling, oh and be careful, there's a shark on the loose.

Re: Rottnest Island
 

I went there this morning (Jim Kidd), got a rashy for $44 instead of $54, its black and Oh my god I look like something from a porn film. Lets just say tight rashes on a large chest is NOT a good look.

'Are they meant to be tight?' I asked the guy selling them, he stared back at my chest and said 'tighter the better':lol:

Mr PP is going to be ashamed to be seen with me, I look like a beached whale! Better that than getting sunburnt and skin cancer though.

I got some nice board shorts for $44, I had tried on Target ones but they were rubbish, and these ones seem well made. Mr PP has bought heaps of stuff from this shop and never had a problem.

And I got two sets of snorkel kits for $29 (reduced), this shop really has everything.

Along with a huge pump tub of suncream, you could say I spent a small fortune.

I cant wait to go to Rotto though, I was going to take my bike but it means cycling from where I live and Mr PP doesnt have his own.

We will probably hire them I guess.

We havent done much touristy stuff since we have been here, I am so excited.:thumbsup:

Re: Rottnest Island
 

OMG, Ive just seen those little furry things in your piccies? Are they Quokkas? Do they bite?

They are so tiny.:wub:

Re: Rottnest Island
 

Yes, they're quokkas and they're tame as!

Well, they didn't bite any of the kids

Re: Rottnest Island
 

I hope we see some.:wub:

Re: Rottnest Island
 

Have fun!!

Re: Rottnest Island
 

If you're ever doing an overnighter you'll end up walking on them, they're everywhere....

Re: Rottnest Island
 

My friend said she and her boyfriend were paddling on one of the beaches when a dolphin came right up to them:wub:

I would love that.

Re: Rottnest Island
 

My brother gets here from the UK tonight and we may do Rotto next weekend, if so I'll look out for a pair of space hoppers in a black rashy...

Re: Rottnest Island
 

They seem to be able to smell biscuits a mile off, we stopped to take a few pictures and they were in my rucksack helping themselves to my HOBNOBS:eek:
They are cute though

John

Re: Rottnest Island
 

:thumbsup: That'll be me!

Re: Rottnest Island
 

There is this place near the ferry termnial, where you can cook your own steaks (then complain to the staff that meat is overcooked - they get it). Western tip of the island has magnificent views, but if you ride the bike there, make sure you have plenty of water - there is nothing past the beachouses/lighthouse. If you overnight - everything shuts down early (literally, everything), so if you are into midnight munchies, keep some fruit and drinks in the hotel.
NJ

Re: Rottnest Island
 

Love it! Though I have thrown up on the ferry both times I have been:o

A word of advice, if you go around the island on the bus DO NOT open a bag of jaffas and promptly spill the whole lot on the floor..its pretty hilly and very bendy...oh God the noise, it shames me even now:o :lol::lol:

Re: Rottnest Island
 

We are just going to do the day trip, take a big picnic, some cold beers, plenty of water.

I cant wait to go.

Re: Rottnest Island
 

Take plenty of wine, if you can, take bikes. Most of all DEFINATLEY rent a beach front cabin. Don't touch quokka's (covered in fleas and scab's)

Re: Rottnest Island
 

So did I. Only been once but upchucked on the way out and then again on the way back :blink: I think there was one cafe there when we went but it was a long long time ago - the bikes may have been penny farthings :lol:

Re: Rottnest Island
 

we went to rottnest when on our recce in march, LOVED IT!!!:thumbsup: also learnt the hard way about the aussie sun, wondered why people were wearing tee shirts in the sea:o:o bought a pair of rashies the very next day, if a little late and wore them thereafter when swimming, etc. A total must have, it seems.So jealous, have a great time.:thumbup:

Re: Rottnest Island
 

We are going to pack our rucksacks with essentions (wine/beer:lol:), suncream and stuff.

I have heard that the quokkas try and get food out of your bags.:eek:

Re: Rottnest Island
 

Rotto is great, you'll love it.

Reading this thread made me book Friday off work and me and Di are heading over there for the day. Kids are in daycare so we'll have some nice quiet time.

A big breekie on arrival, then a bit of crazy golf (mini-golf or whatever it's called here), then cycle around to the various beaches, stopping at whichever ones we fancy spending an hour at.

Oh, happy days. Can't wait!

Enjoy yourself PP!

Re: Rottnest Island
 

Mr PP cant ride a bike so we are going to have to walk, well he can ride a bike but has poor balance.

We are contemplating going New Years Day as it will be 39 degrees, someone told me the water can be quite cold to swim in?:eek:

Re: Rottnest Island
 

I have heard that its only going to be about 27 degrees when we go, that is too cold to go swimming so perhaps we might have to reschedule.:huh:

Re: Rottnest Island
 

but PP, surely if the air temp is somewhat lower, then the water temp will not be so cold as not as much of a difference?

Re: Rottnest Island
 

I always head for the basin!!! LOVE it there

Re: Rottnest Island
 

There are buses that go all around the island...just remember NO jaffas;)

Re: Rottnest Island
 

It would be, if it was not one of the windiest places on the planet. Bush grows parallel to the ground.

NJ

Re: Rottnest Island
 

I love going to Rottnest. My fave beach to go to is Thompsons Bay, it's gorgeous! Oh, and you DEFINATLY have to go to the bakery in the main part of town, it's so good it's a SIN!! :thumbsup:

I think you will definatly LOVE it. Hope the weather behaves for you :cool:

Re: Rottnest Island
 

Well we have the tickets now:thumbsup:

We will be on the 9am ferry. (I think)

Re: Rottnest Island
 

How did it go??

Re: Rottnest Island
 

Fanbloodytastic.

Im about to post my piccies on here.

I loved it, felt a bit seasick on the way back but I cannot wait to go again.:thumbsup: