10.05.2026

Sunday in Perth. What to do? One goes to 'Rottnest Island', an island that has a lot to offer. We headed to the harbor district early, and at Barrack Square, the 'Barrack Square Markets' were already buzzing by 8 AM. The name recalls the barracks that the settlers first built here. These settlers came from China, Greece, and Italy. Over 20 food trucks offered food and drinks, and a young woman was singing with her guitar. The yoga enthusiasts were already 'bending' on the lawn. A nice atmosphere! The market is organized by the city and was open for the last time this season today. We went to the jetty and checked in. Initially, we headed towards the ocean on the 'Swan River'. In our waves, three men were following the ferry on eFoil boards. It resembles surfing, but you don't need wind since the board has an electric motor; however, balance must still be maintained. The three were good! We passed Fremantle - where we were yesterday. Then we sped towards the island. After about 1.5 hours, we docked at the island, and the bikes and helmets were unloaded. We had also booked some for our island day. We immediately headed to the center. The attraction here is the quokkas, the small short-tailed kangaroos (almost unbelievable), which also hop like kangaroos. That’s why many guests come here to observe them - us included. They are not allowed to be fed, and volunteers keep an eye on that. Their habitat is all over the island. It’s unusual for them to suddenly lay their little heads between their front paws and take a power nap. Of course, they are curious, hopping onto picnic tables trying to grab something edible. You can watch them forever, but we also wanted to explore the island. The best way to do that is by bike! There are countless providers for this on-site, as well as holiday houses and resorts. The paths are well-marked, and the main paths are developed as streets. The plants here struggle as the sand offers few nutrients. There are beautiful swimming bays with turquoise-blue water, crystal clear, and hardly any waves. Of course, we also went for a swim! And we occasionally spotted quokkas along the way! Usually, each quokka has about 2-3 tourists with them, making it challenging to get a picture without human body parts. In the afternoon, we were back in the island center. There is a museum, a former prison. In fact, the whole island was a prison for Aborigines for a long time. Over 4000 were incarcerated there over time. The museum was initiated by volunteers and is also maintained by them. Here, not only the former prisoners' everyday life is displayed, but also art by contemporary Aboriginal artists that can be purchased. It is also a review of history. Before departure, we carefully had something to eat, as the little guys can get quite pushy. Then we went to the ferry to drop off the bikes, and at 4 PM, we departed. Upon arrival at the harbor, the sidewalks were already 'folded up', there were no lines in front of the restaurants, and it was getting dark again. It was a beautiful day, especially because of the quokkas and the lovely beaches!