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Wadjemup, often known as Rottnest Island in Western Australia, is thought for its wild ocean surroundings, crystal clear waters, surrounding dive websites, and its inhabitants of lovable quokkas – but it surely’s additionally car-free, which implies the one approach to get round Rottnest Island is by bike.
Biking Rottnest Island is one of the best ways to discover the island, whether or not automobiles are allowed or not.
The island is simply 11 kilometres lengthy and 4.5 kilometres extensive, with an elevation of 46 metres throughout the entire island – so it’s straightforward sufficient to cycle round in in the future.
Should you’re planning a motorcycle journey round Rottnest Island however undecided do it, the place to get bikes from, or what to see, this information is for you!
Attending to Wadjemup (Rottnest Island)
It’s straightforward to get to Rottnest Island. First, that you must catch the Rottnest Categorical ferry from one of many departure factors from Perth’s metropolis centre – Fremantle Port or Hillarys Boat Harbour.
The journey is 30-minutes from Fremantle and 45-minutes from Hillarys, barely a distinction.
The ferry drops you off on the pier by the principle settlement on the island inside Thomson Bay. On the finish of the pier, you will see that the Customer’s Centre the place you may choose up an island map and details about the island.
Then, it’s time to get kitted out.
The place To Get Bike Leases
You may get your bike rent from the principle settlement on Rottnest Island, a brief stroll from the customer’s centre.
Head to Pedal & Flipper Rent, who’ve an enormous number of bikes for rent. You may select between customary step-through bikes, cross-bar bikes, electrical bikes, they usually even have youngsters’s bikes.
Additionally they have child seats, trailers, and different mobility help gear for rent.
All hires include helmets and bike locks. Click on right here to order your bike rent prematurely.
The Rottnest Island Cycle Path Itinerary
One of the best factor about Rottnest Island is it’s so small you may see all of it in in the future, and discover at your individual tempo.
Nevertheless, it does require a bit little bit of planning to ensure you don’t cycle previous all of the points of interest and websites. Here’s a map of the route you may comply with. On the finish of this information, we now have a extra detailed map with the points of interest marked.
Cyclists – concentrate on pedestrians, as not everybody chooses to cycle!
Rottnest Bakery
Earlier than you set off in your biking journey, head to the Rottnest Bakery to select up some truffles and candy treats to take as a snack with you.
You might also need a bit sugar to settle your sea legs after the crossing.
However the bakery shouldn’t be solely value visiting for its scrumptious baked items, however’s additionally the place you may meet the native wildlife – particularly, the quokka!
Quokkas are a extremely cute marsupial that are native to Australia. Sadly, their numbers are dwindling and they’re endangered.
Rottnest Island is the place to go to see them within the wild, as there are estimated to be 10,000 of them on the island.
They like to hop round on the grass outdoors the bakery, however for those who don’t see them there, don’t fear, you will notice them in a while!
Cease 1: Henrietta Rocks
Our go to to the Rotto was brief, and because the solar was shining after we woke, we determined it finest we capitalize on that so we may see the pure great thing about the turquoise water because the solar beat down.
After leaving the bakery, we headed for our first cease, Henrietta Rocks. We didn’t recognize the pressure of the wind till we become it on our approach to Henrietta Rocks, a spot recognized for snorkeling and common with moored boats.
I didn’t bear in mind so many hills after I biked with my sister a few years earlier than, and I’ll always remember them once more. It was one thing about having a trailer with a 4 yr outdated within the again that made all the pieces really feel tougher.
I felt like I may really feel each rising gradient, panting closely to pedal my sluggish physique, and Savannah’s now completely satisfied one, up the hill. No phrases had been in a position to escape from my mouth to reply her fixed chatter.
We made it to the highest of the rise and ready for the downhill coast, however the wind compelled as backwards shouting a “take that” to gravity.
By the point we stopped at Henrietta Rocks, we had been about prepared for a collapse.
The view was spectacular and took my thoughts of grunting away for a wee whereas.
I used to be transfixed on the boats sitting on what seemed like glass.
The colors swirling turquoise, inexperienced and aqua round them. A number of folks lingered on the water’s edge, their toes dipping in, considering whether or not it will be extra satisfying to bask on the glistening white sand or to dive in and discover the underwater world.
A number of English vacationers walked up the steps, snorkels in hand. They stated there wasn’t a lot to see, so we didn’t hassle to go down the seaside to snorkel. It was most likely the unsuitable season for it.
The views from the hill prime had been adequate, they usually saved me a stroll down the steps.
Cease 2: Parker Level
We pushed on in the direction of Little Salmon Bay, stopping off at Parker Level for some extra unimaginable coastal views.
There’s nothing particular about Parker Level, it was simply one other look out, to which there are various alongside the cycle route.
Right here’s one other one among Jeanies Lookout – as you may see, it’s only a signpost on a log – nothing particular actually. Only a excellent spot to cease and admire the reefs.
Cease 3: Little Salmon Bay
A brief distance from Parker Level is Little Salmon Bay. By now we had been virtually half approach around the loop, and from my vantage level, it was just about downhill with a aspect wind as an alternative of a head wind which means the remainder of the cycle journey will probably be a lot simpler.
The view advised me what was coming was fairly particular. We’d come all this manner, we would as nicely carry on going.
Uh oh, a snake!
As I pressed down on the pedal and Little Salmon Bay got here into view, one thing else caught my eye.
I noticed the wiggling out of the nook of my eye coming throughout the highway. I pulled up instantly understanding it was a snake. Earlier that morning I’d seen an indication warning that toxic snakes had been within the space.
I seemed again and noticed Kalyra pushing down on her pedals with Tour de France pressure timing an ideal roll proper over the snake.
“Cease. Cease. Cease. Cease!!” I screamed placing my fingers out the aspect to catch her and Craig.
She pulled up in time proper beside me. “There’s a snake.” She watched it slide away in fascination, and I did with reduction.
It took a detailed brush with a snake to snap me out of my lethargy, to get again into the current, and benefit from the second. I knew that the snake had arrived with a message for me.
My eyes refocused again into marvel and the remainder of the journey across the island was magical.
Finally we arrived at Little Salmon Bay and determined to go onto the sand for a brief play and relaxation, while Craig had a fast snorkel.
Cease 4: The Wadjemup Lighthouse
Biking inland we went previous the Wadjemup Lighthouse, making the good choice to take a look at it from under fairly than biking up the hill to see it up shut.
There are two lighthouses on the island, Bathurst and Wadjemup. Wadjemup is the oldest lighthouse on the island and was in-built 1849.
On the time, it was Western Australia’s first stone lighthouse and was used to offer a safer crusing route for ships to Fremantle Port.
You can not enter this lighthouse, however the views from the place it stands are unimaginable.
Cease 5: Cathedral Rocks
The West Finish of the island is the perfect place to search for New Zealand fur seals, often known as long-nose fur seals, that are generally discovered swimming round Cathedral Rocks and our subsequent cease, Cape Vlamingh.
I’m not positive why they’re referred to as Cathedral Rocks, there aren’t any spectacular rock formations there, only a rocky outdrop within the ocean the place seals wish to bask within the solar.
However, there’s a viewing platform that will help you get a greater vantage level to see them.
Cease 6: Cape Vlamingh
Should you actually needed to see extra seals, head to Cape Vlamingh, the western most level of the island.
It’s additionally the final little bit of land between Australia and Madagascar – 6,436 kilometres away.
There’s a brief, leisurely path across the west finish, taking you to see probably the most windswept aspect of the island (it may be walked in half-hour).
You may typically see seals and bottle-nosed dolphins taking part in within the surf right here.
Cease 7: Pink Lake, Lake Vincent, Lake Negri
The wind was behind us now and we went racing via the center of the island feeling sorry for these passing us into the top wind.
By means of the center of the island are many lakes. A few of these lakes have a pink hue because of the algae and minerals current within the water.
The path passes by three lakes, Lake Negri, Lake Vincent, and the aptly named Pink Lake. You may be taught all about it as you cycle previous.
Cease 8: Parakeet Bay
As soon as we hit the north of the island, we determined a cease at one of many sheltered seashores for some lunch and a swim.
We had been fairly sizzling by now and felt the complete pressure of the solar as soon as we had been out of the wind.
Parakeet Bay was really useful to us as probably the most sheltered place to swim on a windy day. Our neighborhood are by no means unsuitable with their solutions for us.
We discovered a spot by the rocks to have some lunch after which loved a refreshing swim.
The water at Rottnest is fairly chilly so be warned. That is additionally an incredible snorkeling space, however I’ve slight nervousness about swimming in Western Australian waters with the presence of sharks.
Seeing a person wade into the water in a shark resistant wetsuit solely upped the worry so I stayed in fairly near shore. You may not be as fearful as me, so don’t let my frets get in the way in which of your snorkeling enjoyable.
Cease 9: Geordie Bay
We stopped at Geordie Bay for a promised ice lotions for the ladies.
We weren’t that fussed on this a part of the island, so headed again to our village in Thomson Bay quickly after, by way of two of probably the most magical seashores in Australia…
Cease 10: The Basin
The Basin is a white sand seaside recognized for being an incredible spot for snorkelling. Should you solely have time to enter the ocean as soon as in your Rottnest Island bike journey, make it right here.
The waves are light as a result of the bay is protected by the reef, and there’s an abundance of marine life fairly near the shore.
The seaside can also be surrounded by rocks and boulders that are enjoyable for the kids to play on. You could even spot a quokka or two!
Cease 11: Pinky Seashore
Pinky Seashore is one other seaside with nice swimming situations. It’s protected by the rounded bay, making it an incredible spot for households with younger children.
It additionally has nice views of Bathurst Lighthouse on the headland.
Cease 12: Finish with a Beer at Rottnest Pub
We celebrated our achievement of biking round Rottnest Island with an ice chilly beer on the Rottnest Pub, which has spectacular views.
And understanding we’d engaged in some a lot wanted train earlier than hand, they went down guilt free!
Finest Time To Go to Rottnest Island
The most well-liked time to go to Rottnest Island is in the summertime season (December to February) when the climate is heat and sunny, nonetheless, we expect any time of yr is an effective time to go to Rottnest Island.
Spring and Autumn are for climbing because the climate isn’t baking sizzling, so you may heat up by biking, however nonetheless take pleasure in dry climate.
Map Of This Rottnest Island Bike Experience
Yow will discover all of the stops and points of interest talked about on this information on the next interactive map.
Are you planning to cycle round Rottnest Island? What are you most trying ahead to? Tell us within the feedback.
