6 days in Perth, Australia- 5/22- 5/27/2024

Day 3-Rottness Island continuation-5/24/2024

As we are biking along the road, in the distance is the majestic white cylinder of the Wadjemup Lighthouse, crowning a steep hill in the distance.

Setting off, we followed the winding coastline road, the path continually presenting us with spectacular ocean vistas.

We soon realized the path to the lighthouse was seriously hilly, with long, challenging ascents. Thankfully, those hills were no match for our e-bikes! The electric assist was a game-changer, allowing us to power up the steep incline with ease, arriving at the top without breaking a sweat and ready to enjoy the famous 360-degree views.

The original lighthouse was built on Wadjemup Hill, the island's highest point, to provide a safer sailing passage for ships heading to Fremantle Harbor and the Swan River Colony. Construction started in 1842, and the foundation stone was laid in January of that year. The construction of the lighthouse was tragically tied to the island's history as an Aboriginal penal settlement. The work was carried out by Noongar prisoners who were incarcerated on the island.

Completed in 1849 and first lit in 1851, it was the first stone lighthouse constructed in Western Australia. It stood about 52 to 66 feet tall. Despite the original lighthouse, several ships were wrecked on the surrounding reefs between 1878 and 1891. The sinking of the British vessel City of York in 1899, which led to the loss of 11 lives, further emphasized the need for a taller, more powerful light. The current lighthouse was built to replace the original one. Designed by British engineer William Douglass, it was completed in 1896 at the same location. Standing at an impressive 125 feet, it is the fourth tallest of its kind in Australia. The stone for the tower was also quarried locally on the island.

I am standing close to the Lighthouse and the buildings you see leading down the hill are mostly related to the lighthouse's operation and the island's military past.

Standing at the highest point next to the majestic Wadjemup Lighthouse, the view is truly breathtaking and a fantastic reward for that uphill e-bike ride!

From this incredible vantage point, the entire expanse of the ocean unfolds in the distance, meeting the brilliant blue sky at a sharp horizon. Looking down, we can clearly see how the coastline curves dramatically around the island, revealing the scalloped bays and brilliant white sands that define Rottnest's unique shape. It’s an unforgettable sight that showcases the island’s beauty and vastness.

We hooped on our bike and continue on after a refreshing downhill cycle from Wadjemup Lighthouse.

Taking a little break before heading to our next destination.

In the distance is Little Parakeet Bay, one of Rottnest Island's most picturesque and protected spots. Its secluded, almost circular shape, combined with the brilliant white sand and calm, turquoise waters, makes it look like a perfectly formed natural swimming pool.

Little Parakeet Bay is a secluded and picturesque beach known for its white sand and crystal-clear turquoise waters. It's protected by a submerged coral reef, making it an ideal spot for swimming and snorkeling.

 The bay is easily accessible by bus or bike, offering a tranquil escape from the bustling main beaches. Its serene atmosphere and stunning marine life make it a favorite among families and those seeking a peaceful beach experience.

Panoramic view of Little Parakeet Bay.

Along the way, we passed by The Blue Tree which is part of a powerful national movement called the Blue Tree Project.

The Blue Tree Project is a grassroots initiative that began in Western Australia and has now grown into a national and even international mental health charity. The core mission is to spark difficult conversations about mental health and remind people that "it's OK to not be OK."

By passing the Blue Tree on Rottnest Island (or anywhere else), you are passing a silent yet unwavering reminder that you are never alone and that support is available.

 The movement was inspired by the story of a young man named Jayden Whyte. In 2014, as a playful prank, Jayden and his friend, Tjarda, painted a dead tree blue on Jayden's family farm in Mukinbudin, Western Australia. Tragically, Jayden later died by suicide in 2018. At his funeral, the story of the blue tree was shared, and it resonated deeply with his family and friends. They repainted the tree as a tribute, transforming the simple prank into a powerful symbol of hope and a visual prompt to talk about mental health. Every blue tree you see is a reminder to check in on loved ones, and yourself, and to help break down the stigma associated with mental illness. The trees are intentionally painted on dead or deceased trees, not as a symbol of loss, but in line with the original story and to avoid harming living trees.

After soaking in the beauty of Little Parakeet Bay, we cycled on, passing a striking sight right next to the coastline and the salt lakes: the Wind Turbine. Along with solar power, the wind turbine helps power the entire island, including the visitor facilities and the crucial desalination plant that provides all of Rottnest's fresh water.

After witnessing the island’s incredible sustainable efforts, we cycled onward and arrived in the beautiful, sheltered cove of Geordie Bay.

The bay feels like a charming coastal village, as it is surrounded by rows of holiday units and houses, but today, a peaceful calm reigns: there is nobody around, giving us this stunning scenery all to ourselves.

The Geordie Bay Jetty is designed to support the many private boat owners and visitors who frequent the beautiful, sheltered bay. It acts as a loading zone, allowing private boaters (like the owner of the boat you saw in the bay) to briefly pull up to the jetty to quickly load or unload passengers, gear, and supplies for their nearby holiday accommodation.

 The water clarity is mesmerizing. Right at the shore, the water is amazingly clear, allowing us to see straight through to the white sand bottom. Just beyond that, the color intensifies to a brilliant turquoise, before deepening into a rich, glorious deep blue toward the mouth of the bay. The only sign of life on the water is a single, solitary boat sitting calmly in the bay, perfectly framed against the stunning gradient of colors, making for an unforgettable, tranquil scene.

I captured a panoramic photo, perfectly framing the semi-circular sweep of the bay and clearly showing the rugged, rocky shoreline surrounding it. It's an unforgettable, tranquil scene that perfectly contrasts the soft sand, the hard rock, and the intense colors of the Indian Ocean.

We returned our e-bikes and walked back toward the Visitor Center, where the whole area feels like a small island town set beside the water.

From the Visitor Center, we wandered into a grassy park area shaded by tall pines and spreading trees. A few wooden tables and benches were scattered across the lawn, the kind of place where people stop to rest, eat, or simply enjoy the breeze.

Across the park, closer to the shoreline, we could see a line of jetties stretching out into Thomson Bay, their wooden posts rising above the calm turquoise water.

Quokkas are native to Rottnest Island, and it’s one of the few places in the world where their population remains healthy. Thousands of years ago, before sea levels rose, quokkas lived across the mainland of what is now Western Australia. When the ocean rose about 7,000 years ago, Rottnest became separated from the mainland, and the quokkas that lived here became isolated, creating a protected, stable population. On the mainland, quokka numbers declined due to foxes, cats, habitat loss, and bushfires. But Rottnest stayed predator-free, which allowed the quokkas to thrive.

Over time, the Quokkas became so comfortable in this peaceful environment that they have almost no fear of humans. That’s why they often hop right up to visitors, sniffing backpacks, resting under tables, or posing for photos with their famously cheerful expressions.

Visitors are not allowed to touch them, so I stay as close as I can. 

Today, quokkas are protected animals, and the island works hard to keep them safe. They roam freely around the settlement, nap in the shade of buildings, and wander across paths without hesitation, part of what makes Rottnest feel so warm and welcoming.

We are now walking around this area called the Basin which is a popular bay located on the northeast side of Rottnest Island, between Pinky Beach and Longreach Bay.

I see a lot of white small boats that  are likely private vessels or tour boats moored in the protected waters of the bay, where boat access is relatively easy and the water is appealing for leisure craft.

View of the bay from the end of the Pier.

As we wander along the beach at The Basin, the scene feels both relaxed and lively.  The water shifting from pale turquoise to deeper blue as it moves farther out

Because The Basin offers a combination of calm water, reef close to shore  and accessible beach and jetties, many visitors ride or hike there and often see lots of small boats gathered. It’s a bit sheltered compared to the more exposed coastlines of the island.

The jetties provide mooring points for small boats and access to shallow, clear water close to shore. They make it easier for people to board or leave boats, snorkel, swim, or walk along the edge of the reef-fringed bay.

Many of the jetties are near the settlement area, so they serve both recreational users and small working vessels.

Walking out onto the wooden jetty, the view opens even more. 

At the end of the jetty, the whole bay stretches out like a bright watercolor.

Scattered across the surface, are dozens of colorful round mooring buoys, green, yellows, blues, and whites floating in gentle rhythm with the tide. They look almost like giant beads dotted across the water, marking where boats are anchored. Their colors stand out sharply against the turquoise water, giving the whole scene that classic Rottnest island-harbor look: peaceful, cheerful, and full of summer energy.

View from the Jetty at the shore of the Basin

The Koora-Yeye-Boordawan-Kalyakoorl (Past-Present-Future-Forever) indicating a continuous cultural and spiritual connection. The piece combines two major elements: a Noongar warrior (front view) and a breaching whale (side view)

The whale symbolizes the journey of the human spirit, especially in Noongar culture, and the warrior honors the people and the land. The design also reflects respect for the island’s heritage, including both its Indigenous significance and more difficult parts of its colonial history. It’s a nine-meter-high sculpture situated at the end of the main ferry jetty on Rottnest Island. 

It is now time for us to get back to the Ferry.

Time to board our Ferry.

As we are on the ferry, the evening light feels almost unreal. The sun sits low on the horizon, a deep gold sphere softening into amber and rose.

It was such a wonderful day at Rottness Island. The weather was perfect for bicycling and touring the island.

As the ferry pulls away, the wake fans out behind it in powerful white trails, churning and folding into deep blue waves. Above the horizon, the sun hangs low, casting a soft golden glow that threads itself across the waves.

The light touches the surface in broken flashes, turning the ocean behind the boat into a shifting path of gold and blue. It’s one of those fleeting moments where motion, light, and sea line up perfectly, a quiet, brilliant ending to the day.

As the ferry glides closer to Fremantle Port, the scene turns almost cinematic. In the distance, the skyline rises in soft silhouettes , dark outlines of cranes, towers, and port structures etched against the fading sky. The sun is descending just behind them, casting a broad golden glow that spreads across the horizon.

The hum of the ferry, the gentle sway of the waves, and that glowing backdrop make the whole approach feel calm and majestic,  like the day is closing with a final, quiet flourish of light.

Arriving back at Barrack Jetty after dark feels like stepping into a completely different world. Elizabeth Quay transforms at night, softer, quieter, but so much more vibrant with color.

Along the quay, buildings light up in blues, purples, and warm gold, creating a glowing frame around the inlet.

Across the water, the bridge arches glow in red and yellow, their lights reflecting in long, shimmering streaks on the river.

The curves of the bridge stand out even more sharply than in the daytime, almost floating above the dark water.

The Ritz-Carlton rises above the quay like a glowing column of glass, its windows lit in warm squares that shimmer against the dark sky.  Below, along the edge of the jetty, a red light strip traces part of the walkway. It glows softly across the wooden planks, casting a warm crimson reflection on the water. The red line guides your eye along the curve of the quay, adding a stylish, almost futuristic touch to the night view.

Right beside it, the tall tower next to it stands just as bright , sleek, modern, and illuminated from top to bottom, creating a striking pair of beacons overlooking the water.

The white arch near the water shines softly, while the tall towers behind it sparkle with scattered windows lit like stars.

The Wesley Church at night.

Heading to our hotel for the evening.

Our day on Rottnest Island felt like a perfect blend of adventure, beauty, and ease. From the moment the ferry pulled away from Perth, the ocean opened up in deep blues, dotted with container ships and working vessels, a reminder of how far you were about to escape. Arriving at the island, we picked up your e-bikes,  a brilliant choice, especially after your friend’s warning, and suddenly the whole island was within reach. We rode along quiet, car-free roads surrounded by brilliant turquoise water, bright sand, and rugged limestone cliffs.  We made many stops along the way and watched quokkas wandered freely, unbothered and curious, the park was peaceful, and boats floated quietly near the jetties.  The day closed with a golden ferry ride home with a glowing sunset, Fremantle silhouetted in soft amber, and Elizabeth Quay shimmering with night lights as we returned. It was a day full of color, calm, scenic beauty, and those little island moments that stay with you long after you leave.

NEXT... Day 4-Freemantle Market