Visit Rottnest Island and see the Quokkas

Quokkas. Take care! They can bite.
The Bathurst Lighthouse at Rottnest Island.

Rottnest Island or short “Rotto” lays around 11 miles west of Perth. It is reachable by ferry, which operates numerous times a day. The island is a famous tourist destination with around 500.000 visitors every year. Due to Rottos small size, day-trips are possible. Cars are not allowed, however bikes can be rented. Moreover, the island is surrounded by numerous shipwrecks and coral reef. This lets the island become a perfect destination to snorkel (Rottnest island, 2019).

“Keep smiling”
Every Quokka, all the time

The islands most famous attraction is the population of around 10,000 Quokkas. This small marsupial is the only mammal, which is native to Rottnest Island. Due to its continuous smiling face, it is named the happiest animals in the world. They live for up to ten years, are herbivorous, mainly nocturnal and NOT afraid of humans. Sadly, they were treated badly in the past. The first European settlers played “punting a Quokka” and played football with them. Nowadays, the Quokkas are largely protected and can spend happy days (Australian Museum, 2018)

Are you eager to go?
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Rottnest island, 2019. Available from: https://www.rottnestisland.com/ [Accessed 3 March 2019].

Australian Museum, 2018 Quokka Available from: https://australianmuseum.net.au/learn/animals/mammals/quokka/ [Accessed
3 March 2019].