Rottnest Island is a small island off the coast of Western Australia. It was discovered by Willem de Flaming in 1696, who took the island's small bipedal cunga, wallabies, for rats and named it "Rat's Nest" (Rottnest). Today the whole island is a nature reserve and the surrounding waters a marine park.

Cars are not allowed here, but the island is most easily explored by bicycle. The surrounding reefs are home to some 20 species of colourful coral and 360 species of fish, including starfish, bottlenose dolphins and harbor seals. Humpback whales and large sea turtles also pass by the island during migration season.

Tourists are offered kayaking, snorkeling and also reef watching in clear-bottomed boats. The best time to visit Rottnest Island is from spring to autumn, and the nearest town is Fremantle, 19 km away.

Vote:
Rating 5 from 1 voted Rottnest Island, Australia