Get a Quokka Selfie on Rottnest Island
Your guide on how to get a Quokka Selfie on Rottnest island.
Often referred to Rotto island, by the locals. Rottnest Island is home to the happiest animals on Earth, the quokka.
There’s plenty to do on this tiny island, but the super cute quokkas are the star attraction.
What are quokkas? Your new spirit animal?
They quintessentially hold the record for having the Best Resting Happy Face in the WORLD!!
These rare and unique animals, have a similar body structure to a kangaroo and jump like them too (but no boxing moves). Yet, their size is on par within a domestic house cat (without cat like tendencies, e.g. plotting to kill someone/ thing) & they have the cutest cheeks with smiling faces.
Being pouched marsupials, they are part of the macropodidae family (kangaroos, wallabies, pademelons, wallaroos). They have herbivorous appetites and are native to Australia (primarily found on Rottnest Island).
And the word quokka is fun to say.
Simply, pronounce kwah’ ka, quickly. Think of the muppet Fozzie Bear’s catch phrase, “Wocka-Wocka” and make the words rhyme.
During our visit, we were fortunate to see many mama quokkas carrying their babies in their pouches.
Fun Fact – the quokka baby is called a joey, just like kangaroo babies.
Take a ferry to Rottnest Island.
A quick 25 minute ferry ride off the coast of Perth, in Western Australia. Will take you to the lovely, Rottnest Island.
What’s behind the name, Rottnest Island?
When the Dutch landed on Rotto and saw heaps of quokkas in the late 17 century. They named the island ‘Rotte nest’, stemming from the Dutch word rottenest.
To the Dutch, these indigenous animals were seen as large rats.
Today, they are dubbed the happiest animal on Earth. Many visitors (& celebrities) go to Rottnest island, to lay on the ground next to them and get their selfie.
It really is the ultimate souvenir.
Is a popular and easy option to purchase tickets. The ferries depart from 3 locations off the coast of Perth at multiple times a day. The ports are in Perth, Fremantle and Northport.
They offer maps of island, snorkel gear and bicycles. On the ferry they sell drinks and snacks. They also offer pick up at some neighboring hotels.
Check out all the packages, Rottnest Island Express packages offer.
Besides quokkas, What else is there to do on Rottnest Island?
HEAPS of things to do!!!!! This beautiful island is a perfect little getaway.
There are segway tours, seaplane or helicopter tours, skydiving, fishing areas, whale watching, golf, sea lions, bottle-nose dolphin watching, birdwatching, surfing, snorkeling, camping, relaxing on the beach, picnics, barbeque areas, or having a bite to eat at one of the few restaurants or cafes.
Check out upcoming events such as the Quokka’s Birthday held in September, a Rottnest swim & run events, etc.
What’s the best time to visit Rottnest Island?
For most Westerners, it’s weird to think of December as a summer month, and June a winter month.
Australia’s seasons are:
Winter – June to August. Ave 57F (14C) – High 65F (18C)
Autumn – March to May. Ave temp 66F (19C) – High 78F (25C)
Summer- Dec to Feb. Ave temp 74F (23C) – High 80F (27C)
Spring – Sep to Nov. Ave temp 63F (17C)- High 72F (22C)
We arrived in early September and the weather was GORGEOUS! Definitely a nice break from Singapore’s humidity 😉
What’s behind the quokka smile?
Happiness.
There are two types of quokka smiles. It’s believed the smiling is really panting. An evolutionary feature. Panting will cause them to open their mouths slightly, when hot (similar to dogs).
When they are not panting, they still look like they are smiling, due to the the shape of their mouth.
What a perfect design 🙂
Can I have a quokka as a pet?
That’s a hard NO. Quokkas are wild animals. Not pets.
These totes, adorbs, balls of fur are protected by Australia’s Rottnest Island Authority Act of 1987.
In fact, if you’re caught picking one up and or feeding one. You can get slapped with a fine ($100 – $1,000) and taken to court.
Feeding them is super harmful to their digestive system. It’s running the risk of compromising their natural diet and contamination.
How do you get a quokka selfie?
While resisting the urge to lure them in with food. Quokkas are curious by nature. The easiest way to get that selfie, is to sit next to them and allow them to approach you.
This tactic not only works, but it truly is the best and harmless way.
Where to stay on Rottnest Island.
There are plenty of choices of types of accommodations. There’s premium, to budget options, and sustainable ones.
Take a look at all the types of accomodations.
How to get around Rottnest Island?
Walk, bicycle, catch a bus.
Rottnest Express offer bicycle rentals (and you can bring your own). There’s also an option to purchase a bus package that drops off and picks up around the island.
We rented bicycles and it was a perfect way to see the island.
The island is 19 square kilometres (7.3 sq mi). We took our time bicycling and exploring. We could have easily stayed longer, but we had to catch the last bus of the day, back to the port.
Between stopping at the many serene and secluded bays, hiking along paths and spending time with the quokkas. We could have easily spent 12 hours and still want more time.
Best Tips for visiting Rottnest Island
Bring your selfie sticks. Quokkas move quickly and it’s easier to get a selfie with them, with a use of a stick.
Stay a night (or 2) on the island.
When getting your quokka selfie, sit and be patient. Quokkas are friendly and curious creatures, they will come to you.
Rottnest Express gives discounts to early online purchases. Discounted tickets are 1/2 off and are called the Telethon Saver. Don’t wait to buy the Telethon tickets, as they will sell out first.
Bring a hat, sunscreen, plenty of water and a picnic if you’re cycling around the island. If you plan to swim, bring your swimming costume, a microfiber towel, googles or snorkeling gear. Check out the bays and swim around the ship wrecks.
Bicycling is a fantastic way to get around the island. There are slight hills but nothing like a huge spikes in elevation.
Happy Quokka Selfie!
Sarah Emery
Outdoor enthusiast thriving in the expatriate traveling lifestyle. Looking to connect with your sense of adventure.
47 Comments
Colleen
I love this! Thank you for including information on how they’re protected, as well. When I first started reading this, my reaction was, “I hope this doesn’t hurt these animals or disturb their environment.” Then you hit me with the fact that they are protected and that protection is enforced. So of course, I wan to go do it now.
Sarah Emery
Yes, the protection is super key and I’m glad they are too 🙂 Thanks for the read and comment.
Emman Damian
I want to do Quokka Selfie on Rottnest Island too! That’s so cute! A friend of mine did it last year. I’m so jealous!
Sarah Emery
You should go! They are so much fun to see and watch. Plus the island is gorgeous!
jennifer schreiner
quokka are just so adorable. I can not believe how friendly they are. It would certainly be difficult to resist not picking them up and hugging them. Great pictures. Rottnest Island is now on my list of places to visit
Sarah Emery
Oh I know, you really do have to resist the urge. But watching them and just being around them is such a treat!
Anita Alig
Fantastic post, thanks for all the information and fabulous pictures. The quokkas are super-cute. Do they ever bite?
Sarah Emery
While I was there and the interaction I had, they didn’t bite. I could imagine, if someone tried to feed them – which is a fineable offense and harmful to their digestive system, that a bite on a hand could happen. But I don’t believe they are aggressive – they are the happiest animals on earth 🙂
Annemarie LeBlanc
They are really cute little animals. You are right, they do look like they are always smiling. I wish I could visit Rottnest Island too. There is so much natural beauty to see and experience!
Nicole Anderson | Camping for Women
Seriously, how could you not love a creature as cute as the quokka? The trip alone is worth it to get up close with these little guys. Not to say that the environment is lovely as well. Rottnest Island is just gorgeous and I would love to visit to see this natural beauty first hand one day.
Kelly Martin
Quokka’s are so cute! I haven’t been to Rottnest island yet but I can’t wait to visit. It looks so beautiful.
littlemisadvencha
this picture is so cute. Ive never heard or seen a quokka before, but id definitely take a selfie too if given a chance… 😀
Melanie williams
Aw how cute are these little furry things. I would love to visit the island just to see these alone xx
Sarah Emery
And I hope you do. They are pretty darn cute 🙂 Thanks for the read and comment.
WanderlustBeautyDreams
Wow the scenery here is amazing! What a fun experience especially when getting epic selfies like this. I would love to visit someday!
Sarah Emery
The scenery in Rottnest is amazing and I hope you get to visit one day. You must get your quokka selfie 🙂
The Sunny Side Lifestyle Co.
I want to get on the next plane to Australia! Rottnest Island looks amazing. Quiet, peaceful and beautiful plus you can see the quokka! I had never heard of the quokka before but they are adorable. I also appreciate that in your description you ensure that you are giving solid advice on how to interact with them without doing harm.
Sarah Emery
Yes! Do it! Rottnest is quite beautiful! I would have stayed for a few days if we could. Yes, getting a selfie in a harmless way is a definite must do. Besides, we are in their terrority- must respect that 😉 Thanks for the read and comment.
Snehal
I have never heard about them. But they look so cute! I feel like hugging them by the way the photos are all lovely!
Sarah Emery
Glad you learned something new. Quokkas are pretty darn cute, but there’s definitely a no hugging law. Thanks for the read and comment.
Lindsay Brown
Those little guys are so adorable! I can’t believe how tame they are for being wild animals. I would love to try to get a selfie with them simply for the bragging rights lol Rottnest Island looks beautiful!
Sarah Emery
They are pretty darn cute. It’s amazing to see them in their environment and how used to people they are. The island is absolutely stunning. Thanks for the read and comment.
Smita
I think these are the cutest animals ever – very interesting to read about the design that goes behind their ‘Resting Happy Face’! I’ve never been to Western Australia but a selfie with these beauts is reason enough for me to now plan!
Sarah Emery
Yes! The Resting Happy Face – ha ha! I wish I had it 🙂 I hope you make it to Rottnest! Happy trails!
Quin Cl
These quokkas are really cute, I would love to have a selfie time with them too whenever I have the chance to visit this island in the future.
Sarah Emery
Thanks Quin. I hope you make it over there too. They are super friendly and cute animals. Plus the island is amazing!
Emily Fata
Oh my goodness, this place looks beautiful (THOSE QUOKKAS)!! Although I’ve never been to Rottnest Island before myself, I would love to make my way over in the near future. Thanks for sharing all of this! 🙂
Sarah Emery
Yes, Rottnest island is such a beautiful place. I could easily stay a few days on there 🙂 I hope you make it over there too.
Viktoria Altman
OMG they are so freaking cute! This is totally bucket list worthy!
Sarah Emery
Yes, they are super adorable 🙂 Thanks for read and comment.
Lyanna Soria
I didn’t know there was an island with Quokkas before. I’ve always find it cute when I find people having selfies with them and I wanted to try taking one too but just didn’t know where to start looking. I’ve never heard of Rottnest Island before but hopefully someday I get to go there and get that selfie.
Sarah Emery
I hope you get to Rottnest Island too. A quokka selfie is definitely worth going for.
Live Learn Better
I have never heard of Quokka before and they seem like an in-between a pet and wild animal. Meeting them in their natural habitat and taking pictures with them is so awesome.
Thank you for sharing.
Sarah Emery
I love how travel teaches us stuff. Especially with the wildlife 🙂 Thanks for the read and comment.
Shannon Gurnee
I’ve never heard of a Quokka before, but they look super cute. This is a great blog post. Thanks for sharing.
Sarah Emery
Yes, quokkas are something to mention, for sure 🙂 Glad you learned of something new. Thanks for the read and comment.
Kayleigh
AAAAHHH so cute!!!! Australia is on my bucket list for travel destinations. I’ve been all around New Zealand but didn’t have time to travel Australia too. Not gonna lie though, The name “Rottnest” doesn’t exactly have an appealing ring to it, ha! But your photos are beautiful!
Sarah Emery
Oh I know, the name doesn’t sound appealing at all. But I hope you get to go one day, it’s truly a lovely island. Ooooh I love New Zealand, it’s another beautiful country.
Surekha-dreamingloud
Quokkas are so cute..! I love that they looked like they are smiling always, it makes them resemble a human’s face. Haha
Sarah Emery
Yes, they love to smile 🙂 Thanks for the read and comment 🙂
Erica (The Prepping Wife)
The cuteness factor is off the charts here! I’m seriously amazed that these little creatures can co-exist as wild animals with humans walking around amongst them and be perfectly tolerant of it. I’d go just for the selfie bragging rights. That’s Insta-worthy right there!
Sarah Emery
The cuteness factor is pretty high, for sure 😉 Yes, they are super tolerant of visitors invading their space and sticking a camera in their face.
Lyosha
oh my! that is so sweet! I would so take a selfie like that too! That is just way too sweet. And I don’t think quokkas are somehow hard on this. I hope
Sarah Emery
Quokkas are very sweet and cute little animals. Glad you liked the post & pics. Thank you!
Alyssa from Click Happy Mom
This is so great! I have never heard of a Quokka before, but they sure are cute!
Sarah Emery
They are pretty darn cute 🙂 Thanks for the read and comment.
Sarah Emery
Thank you! Glad you got to know more about the quokka. I agree, they are super cute!