European settlement quickly changed the landscape of Rottnest, land was cleared and tracks made. Firewood was gathered and the Island was repeatedly burned. Aboriginal prisoners often used fires as an aid in hunting Quokkas.

In the late 1920s the Quokka population was protected and began to soar and grazing heavily on the palatable Acacia rostellifera. The impact of fire and Quokka grazing, resulted in a huge reduction of the Island’s forest cover. This combined with fire and wood collecting reduced the Island remaining naturally forest area to about 7 per cent.

Today the Rottnest Island Authority is actively “re-greening” the Island. with reforestation of the Island’s woodland. Planted areas are protected from Quokkas by fencing, allowing for some areas to regenerate naturally.

Rottnest Island has a unique style of architecture dating back to the 1800’s. It has a history as an Aboriginal penal settlement, a World War I camp for prisoners of war, a place for salt gathering and processing and a World War II military installation.
 

Quokka on Rottnest Island ฉ Clifford Shipton

Today, it is well known to the locals as a place for recreation, with some of the best beaches and bays in the world. It was first used by the Governors of Western Australia as a holiday resort between 1848 and 1919.

Check out the Calendar of Events on the government website.

Rottnest Marina ฉ Clifford Shipton

Location: 30 minutes by ferry from Fremantle, or 15 minutes by plane from Perth.

Check out our listing of Rottnest Island accommodation. In addition to our listed online travel guide information, contact the local tourism visitor centre for your destination for more attractions, tours, local maps and other information.