19 km off the coast, reached by ferry from Barrack Street, Perth, and from Northport, North Fremantle, or from East Street Jetty, East Fremantle. ‘Rotto’ is just 10 km long and 5 km wide, and it is the home of the Quokka, a small breed of wallaby. When the Dutch first landed here in 1696, they mistook these beasts for large rats, and named it ‘Rat’s Nest’ island.

In 1893, Rottnest Island gained an unsavoury reputation as a prison settlement for Aborigines. You can still see the old prison buildings, some of which have been turned into a hotel.

Nowadays, the island is best known for its clear swimming waters. Hire a bike and go looking for Quokkas, or go for a glass-bottomed boat trip to see the coral reefs and the wrecks. The Underwater Explorer leaves the jetty at Thomson Bay hourly.

The island pub, Rottnest Hotel, also known locally as the Quokka Arms, used to be the Governor’s residence. See under Eating, sleeping.