We took the Rottnest Express ferry to and from Freo
We started the trip inside the boat, which left some travelers a little seasick (not me). The open air helped tremendously on our return trip.
The gaggle of bikers stopping at one of many lookouts - Caz, Jojo, Duff, Tori, and Mel
The basin is one of the most photographed and painted bays at Rottnest
The island is actually named after these buggers. They're called quokkas, are endangered, and look like some kind of combo between a wallaby and a rat, which extended to Rat's Nest Island, which later became Rottnest Island.
One of the more popular swimming spots
At every turn off was a photo worthy scenic view
Mel and Duff out on the pier at one of many scenic lookouts
My first ever sighting of a salt lake, which crunched like snow under our feet and bikes and tasted shockingly salty
The edges of the lake were pink with a thick rim of foam floating across the road in large chunks
We started the trip inside the boat, which left some travelers a little seasick (not me). The open air helped tremendously on our return trip.
The gaggle of bikers stopping at one of many lookouts - Caz, Jojo, Duff, Tori, and Mel
The basin is one of the most photographed and painted bays at Rottnest
The island is actually named after these buggers. They're called quokkas, are endangered, and look like some kind of combo between a wallaby and a rat, which extended to Rat's Nest Island, which later became Rottnest Island.
One of the more popular swimming spots
At every turn off was a photo worthy scenic view
Mel and Duff out on the pier at one of many scenic lookouts
My first ever sighting of a salt lake, which crunched like snow under our feet and bikes and tasted shockingly salty
The edges of the lake were pink with a thick rim of foam floating across the road in large chunks
Duff, me, Kaz, Mel, and Tori prior to our wet and wild ride back to Freo
Jojo and Mel at Mad Monk Brewery
Caz, me, and Tori - that's The Millionaire beertail on the left
My favorite day of exploration in Western Australia was our visit to Rottnest Island, which I found to be remarkably beautiful, more striking than any beach or bay I'd seen before, even in Fiji and Hawaii. A 30 minute ferry ride brings you to the island oasis, where no cars are permitted. Bicycles and free shuttle buses are the only modes of transport. We departed the Freo harbor at 9.30AM and left Rottnest Island on the last ferry at 6.30PM. All six of us hired (rented) bikes upon arrival and a couple sets of snorkeling gear to share. It was approximately 22 km around the perimeter of the island. Mobilizing a group of six proved challenging. We made it about 3 km with many stops and bike issues along the way. We decided to test the waters. The water was wonderful but the snorkeling disappointing. We only saw a few large fish and none with brilliant colors. The undertow was strong so we didn't venture out too far. We later spotted a giant sting ray near the ferry dock, so I suppose it's better we saw less than anything potentially dangerous.
A few in the group fizzled on the biking venture, so they headed back to the main 'settlements' to relax. Mel, Duff, and I forged ahead in our interest to see the entire island. We took great ground, covering about 9 km in 30 minutes, 5 minutes less than predicted. However, we still didn't have enough time to make it to the very tip of the cape and still return our bikes in time to recover the deposit. We took a short cut back to base camp, which ended up being rather exciting. We first came across a jetty that sparked Mel's interest, then to a salt lake, and finally to a lake with pink edges and giant frothy foam floating across the road. It felt as if we were in some kind of dream world or Neverending Story type movie. We made it just in the nick of time to return our bikes.
The ferry ride home was especially riveting as we elected to sit outside in the small deck section at the rear of the boat. The ride was choppy, and giant waves sloshed against the boat and onto us. Duff was most exposed to the salty slaps and was completely drenched. I was sitting next to her with about half my body soaked in salt. It felt like a Wet 'n Wild theme park ride, and the other riders laughed as we hooped and hollered back to Freo. We did a lucky dip for shower order (drawing names out of a hat). With six salty, sand-filled, wind struck, wet girls, we faced an enormous challenge to move everyone through a single shower. Amazingly, six girls were ready to leave for dinner in under 90 minutes (and I was second to last in the shower). We headed to Market St for dinner to the Mad Monk brewery I'd eyed the night before. The restaurant was eloquently decked out - simple but classy, very modern clean lines, and the food was divine - best ever we thought. I had 'The Millionaire' beertail, an interesting concoction of home brewed beer and cocktail mixers. One was sufficient.
