Page 34 - Explore2

32 ADVENTURE
SNAPSHOT

Walks, bikes, rides and thrills

ROTTNEST ISLAND TOURING
Rottnest Island, sitting 20 kilometres off the coast of Western Australia,
is a unique place to visit with its distinctive flora and fauna, wildlife,
spectacular snorkelling – and no cars. Only buses and emergency vehicles
are permitted on the island so walking or cycling are the key modes of
transport for visitors. This tranquil place has a permanent population of
only about 100 but more than 500,000 visitors arrive throughout the year,
most of them during the peak summer months.

You can explore Rottnest at your own pace, by land and by sea, on
a self-guided tour. The package comes with a bike and optional (but
recommended) snorkelling gear. Book a bike before you board the ferry
from Perth and it will be waiting at the jetty when you arrive. Hop on and
soak up the breathtaking views that Rottnest has to offer at every turn,
explore the many secluded bays and wonderful beaches, stop for a picnic,
or just find a nice quiet spot to relax.

Don your snorkelling gear and dive into the crystal clear-waters: a lot of
Rottnest’s best snorkelling spots are easily accessible by bike so it’s a
great way to experience the island by land and by sea. Be sure to keep
your eyes peeled for a quokka on your travels. Standing just 30cm tall,
the marsupial quokka is Rottnest’s most famous inhabitant. Another
spectacular sight is the annual migration of humpback whales from
September to November. You can also get close to a colony of New
Zealand fur seals at Cathedral Rocks, as well as ospreys and pods of
dolphins.

HELLOWORLD : EXPLORE : SPRING EDITION