Rottnest Island
#4 in Best Things To Do in Perth
Details
scorecard
- 5.0Value
- 4.5Facilities
- 4.5Atmosphere
In the late 17th century, Dutch explorer William de Vlamingh saw this sunny island's hordes of quokkas (think small kangaroos) and thought they were rats, so he named the island, Rotte nest, literally "rats nest." Along with snapping selfies with the quokkas, the island is a great place for swimming and snorkeling, hiking on the Wadjemup Bidi trails, or relaxing on one of its 63 beaches, including the most popular, The Basin and Salmon Bay.
Stopping by the Rottnest Island Visitor Centre and chatting with the helpful docents about what to do on the island should be your first stop, many visitors say. Others recommend heading straight to the white sands of The Basin to swim and snorkel.
The easiest way to reach Rottnest Island is via a Rottnest Express ferry from Fremantle or Perth. Along with beaches and natural attractions, visitors will find lodging and restaurant options too. For more information, visit Rottnest Island's website.
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2 of 10#1 Kings Park & Botanic Garden
According to visitors, Kings Park & Botanic Garden can hold its own among the world's best parks – including Central Park in New York, El Retiro in Madrid and Stanley Park in Vancouver. Not only do the park's various sections feature more than 3,000 varieties of trees and plants, from red-flowering gum trees in the Fraser Avenue Precinct to bushland-specific flora, fauna and fungi, but there are also playgrounds, playing fields, cafes and picnic areas. What's more, the park's Rio Tinto Naturescape, due to open in 2018, will feature a creek for paddling, a rock pool for wading, and rock climbing and scrambling spaces too.
Travelers and locals alike adore this park's expansive walking paths and its ability to appeal to everyone from families to retirees. Others say the views of the city from the walking paths, especially from the raised Lotterywest Federation Walkway, are just "fabulous," as are the shade and breeze on hot summer days.
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