It all started with a selfie and now the little known marsupial is an internet sensation. You never can really predict when a trend will take off and sometimes the trend is just insanely cute. As is the case with this #QuokkaSelfie trend. What’s a quokka, you ask?
The Original #QuokkaSelfie Photo Credit: Toby Costanzo / Via reddit.com
Rottnest Island Aerial View Photo Credit: westernaustralia-travellersguide.com
All About Quokkas
Quokka Family Photo Credit: Wikipedia
A quokka is an Australian marsupial that is the only member of the genus Setonix. For those of you that are unsure how to pronounce it, Quokka rhymes with mocha. They are small, furry creatures that are about the size of a domestic cat. They kind of look like a cross between a rat and a kangaroo; and did I mention how they are insanely cute? The only place in the world where you find quokkas is southwestern tip of Australia in Western Australia. The main population of the species, whose conservation status is listed as vulnerable, are on Rottnest Island, just off the coast of Perth, Western Australia. There is also a smaller population of quokkas on Bald Island near Albany and some live in the area of Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve. Especially the population on Rottnest Island is very friendly and has no fear of people. Remember, you can selfie, but you can’t touch. It is illegal to handle any wild animals on Rottnest Island. Quokkas are herbivores and their favourite food is the flowering plants. Do not try feeding them, as human food can make them sick. Even though you may have not heard of a quokka until now, they are actually one of the first Australian animals discovered by the Europeans in 1658. In fact, Rottnest Island is actually named after them because they were mistaken for giant rats and Rottnest is derived from a Dutch word for rat nest. The word quokka is derived from a Nyungar word, which is believed to be gwaga.
The #QuokkaSelfie Craze
source
source
source
source
source
source
source
In 2014, Toby Costanzo (pictured above) took the picture that started the craze. Part of the reason why these selfie photos are so popular is that in addition to the quokka being incredibly adorable, they also always looks happy and sometimes it even appears as though they are smiling. Now, you can find photos like the ones we shared here all over the internet on Reddit, Instagram, and on sites like Buzzfeed, Bored Panda, National Geographic, Huffington Post, 9Gag.com and Mashable, who says you haven’t lived if you haven’t taken a selfie with a quokka! Basically, anywhere you look online, you will see these adorable Quokka selfies. So how can you get to Rottnest Island, or Rotto, as the locals call it, and make sure you don’t miss out on this fun and adorable trend? Here are some Rottnest Island travel tips.
Getting to Rottnest Island
Perth map Photo Credit: Google Maps
Perth Car Hire Map Photo Credit: Budget.com.au
Salmon Bay Photo Credit: westernaustralia-travellersguide.com
There are plenty of car rental locations in Perth where you can hire a car. When you hire a car, you can find the best places to visit and the best deals for your holiday. If you are in Perth City, then you can hire a car there. Other Perth car hire locations include the Perth Airport car rental or the Perth South car hire location near Fremantle or in Burswood. When you are hiring a car, be sure to share your travel plans with the car rental agent so that they can give you the guidelines, road maps, safety restrictions, and holiday travel tips. This will ensure your best car rental experience in Western Australia. When you plan a trip to Rottnest Island, you won’t need to take your rental car with you; but that doesn’t mean that you won’t need a rental car to see the sights around Perth. Here are some of the other holiday spots in and around Perth from our blog:
Visiting Perth on Holiday
Korung National Park in the Perth Hills
Holiday Getaways Near Perth and Surrounds
Free Things to Do in Perth on Holiday
Perth Road Trips: Rottnest Island and Lancelin
Experience on of the Best Road Trips in Australia: Coral Coast of Western Australia Road Trip Part 1, Coral Coast Road Trip Part 2, and Coral Coast Road Trip Part 3.
Things to Do on Rottnest Island
Rottnest Island Photo Credit: ExperiencePerth.com
Rottnest Island Snorkelling in The Basin Photo Credit: ExperiencePerth.com
Pinky Beach with Bathurst Point Lighthouse Photo Credit: westernaustralia-travellersguide.com
Longreach Bay Photo Credit: ExperiencePerth.com
Rottnest Island is a short ferry ride from Perth, Fremantle, or Hillary’s. Since no cars are allowed on the island, it is quite peaceful and relaxing. There is no shortage of things to do on Rottnest Island. You can stay busy walking trails, hiking, wildlife watching, and of course, playing in the beaches and endless waters or you can plan to do pretty much nothing at all but relax on the sand and in the secluded bays. In addition to the cute quokka, the island is home to a host of wildlife including many birds, some year round and some migratory. September through December you can do some whale watching as they pass the island during their annual migration. Other wildlife on the island includes fur seals, sea lions, and dolphins. There are over 60 beaches to choose from on the island, with many great places to swim like The Basin, Little Salmon, Salmon Bay, Longreach Bay, and Parker Point. If you are into SCUBA diving or snorkeling, the surrounding waters are crystal clear and filled with fish of all colors. You can bring your own gear or hire some on the island. There is also a wreck you can dive right off the island. On land, there are several lighthouses to explore, Lomas Cottage, the Pilot Boathouse, and the Rottnest Island Museum. The walking tours take you past the historic buildings, the Aboriginal cemetery, the lighthouses, and of course, you will see quokkas along the way. Free walking tours depart from the Salt Store, which has quite a bit of history itself as one of the oldest buildings on the island.
More Fun on Rotto:
Sea Kayaking from the Basin Photo Credit: ExperiencePerth.com
Snorkeling at The Basin Photo Credit: ExperiencePerth.com
Bike Riding at The Basin Photo Credit: ExperiencePerth.com
Here is a list of 11 things to do on Rottnest Island from ExperiencePerth.com:
JOIN one of the many free guided walking tours of the Island.
FOLLOW your own path along the new Wadjemup Trail.
HIRE a bike and snorkel gear from Rottnest Island Pedal & Flipper
SWIM and relax by the stunning waters – you have 63 beaches and 20 bays to choose from
DISCOVER the underwater snorkel trails at Little Salmon Bay and Parker Point.
LEARN about the island’s history at the Rottnest Island Museum, Lomas Cottage, Pilot Boat House, Vincent Way and Salt Store.
ENCOUNTER a variety of wildlife including birdlife, quokkas and dolphins.
EXPLORE the world beneath the waves on the Underwater Explorer (September – May).
JOIN a 90 minute adventure cruise (November – April).
CLIMB the Wadjemup Lighthouse for the ultimate views across the whole island.
RIDE the train to view the maze of tunnels beneath the WWII gun emplacement on Oliver Hill.
Winter in Rottnest
Rottnest Island Walking Tour Photo Credit: ExperiencePerth.com
Since Rottnest is often thought of as a summer island getaway, it is good to mention that it is also lovely and, in fact, a very special place to visit during the winter as well. The weather and water temps might seem too cold for swimming; however, if you brave the cooler temps brought by the Leeuwin Current, you will be rewarded with seeing much more tropical fish than you would during the summer time. This is also the time of the year when the whales migrate through the coast of Western Australia (from April to October). There are less crowds and lower prices for both the ferry and accommodations. If you are into surfing, the waves are bigger during the winter time. The weather is often milder and still a few degrees warmer on the island than the mainland. The winter sun will still be shining but you will actually get a chance to use the log fireplaces in the cosy cottages.
Rottnest Island Accommodations
Stroll Along the Waterfront Photo Credit: ExperiencePerth.com
Many people just plan for a day trip to Rottnest Island via the ferry. You can also take a private boat or private plane to the island. If you want to make more of a holiday on Rottnest and spend even more time with the quokkas, there are plenty of accommodations to choose from. The accommodation choices range from campgrounds to dormitories and one-room cabins on the more economical side. Luxury accommodations can be found in the self-contained bungalows and cottages or at the Lodge and the Hotel. The Lodge is one of the oldest buildings in all of Australia, so there is a lot of history there.