Rottnest Island
WA 6161 • Western Australia
About Rottnest Island
Rottnest Island, known to the Noongar people as Wadjemup, is a 19-square-kilometre island reserve situated 18 kilometres west of Fremantle in Western Australia, administered within the City of Cockburn local government area. With just 166 permanent residents according to the 2021 Census, the island swells to up to 15,000 visitors during peak holiday periods, reflecting its status as one of Western Australia's most beloved holiday destinations. The island is managed as an A-class nature reserve and is car-free — a defining policy that gives it a uniquely relaxed, unhurried character unlike any other locality in Australia.
Rottnest is world-famous for its population of around 10,000 quokkas — small, sociable marsupials native to Western Australia whose friendly nature has made them global icons. Visitors arrive by ferry from Fremantle in approximately 25–30 minutes, or from Perth's Barrack Street Jetty, and explore the island by bicycle, island bus, or on foot. The island offers exceptional snorkelling and diving around its reef systems, over 60 beaches and bays, heritage buildings dating to the 1830s, and the Wadjemup Lighthouse — making it a remarkable blend of natural beauty, wildlife, and rich history.
Rottnest Island falls under postcode 6161 and is governed by the local council Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Fremantle (South Metropolitan) electorate.
Location
Transport & Commute
Bus Services
- Rottnest Island Bus — Thomson Bay Settlement to beaches and attractions Varies by destination
Commute to Perth CBD
🛣️ Access exclusively by ferry. Rottnest Express and Sealink operate daily services from Fremantle and Perth
The Thomson Bay settlement is walkable, but exploring the full island requires a bicycle or the island bus
Supermarkets Nearby
No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.
Schools
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14 Kelly Street