Rottnest Island is the
west's stunning gem

                  By John Newton
It is more than 40 years since I first stepped ashore on Rottnest Island when there was little more to do than have a swim and finish the day with an ale or two at the local pub. How things have changed - not only on the island but the way you  get there on a high-speed ferry - the first non-stop service from Perth.
Sealink's 200-passenger catamaran - Quokka Two - takes just 90 minutes from Perth's Barrack Street jetty to Rottnest  - combining a scenic 60 minutes on the picturesque Swan River with 30 minutes on the Indian Ocean between the port of Fremantle and the island, a mere 18 kilometres away.
And, according to Leycester Cory, Sealink's Commercial Partnerships and Sales manager - Western Australia, the direct run has been a "fantastic addition" to not only the company's selection of products but also to the Perth market.
"The advantage of a direct service makes the unique opportunity to travel from the CBD to enchanting Rottnest even more special. It has performed above all our expectations and visitors and locals alike have left humbling reviews of the experience. Fewer crowds, more river and lots of outside viewing areas have certainly been met with a positive response," he said. 
One of Sealink's prized assets is jack-of-all-trades Jess Featherstone, a fully-fledged captain and the company's first female engineer. And these are not the only boots she fills - she's also quite happy to lend a hand at the food/bar, toss out the mooring ropes - and even give the odd commentary about the boat's capabilities. Jess obviously took to water like an Olympic swimmer after giving up her primary school teaching role. 
Today, Rottnest is burgeoning - thanks to cute marsupials called quokkas that have become the island's tourist selfie superstars - along with rising visitor numbers, proposed new developments  and much-needed modern accommodation replacing that from a bygone era. This includes a revamped Hotel Rottnest - the major island project for 2020 with an opening date of around September.
And there are plans to improve the visitor experience on the jetty and possibly some new products next season for day trippers and extended day tourists.
The Rottnest Island Management Plan (RIMP) focuses on areas supported by 18 proposed key initiatives designed to promote new developments and business opportunities on the island, while retaining the island's character and accessibility.
Tennis ace, Roger Federer, probably can’t believe what he’s done for tiny Rottnest on the other side of his homeland. Just a day in the sun and Federer – along with a cute marsupial – have put the island well and truly in the limelight on the world map.
But while tourists flock to Rottnest and scramble off the ferries in a mad rush to get to the best selfie quokka spots, there’s much, more to this historical and ever-growing tourist haven.
Just for starters, the island has 20 bays and more than 60 breathtaking beaches, diving, snorkelling, swimming coves, can’t-wait-to-throw-the-line-in fishing spots and renting a bike to pedal up to must-see locations, such as Cathedral Rocks, Wadjemup Lighthouse, Geordie Bay, The Basin and Little Salmon bay.
And what better way to get to Rottnest than along the majestic Swan River from the West Australian capital to the port of Fremantle before heading to the island across the Indian Ocean.
At Chidley Point in Mosman Park (just before you get to East Fremantle), look out for Perth's smallest yacht club which has just two members.
The stand-out blue shed on the foreshore is owned by the people living in the house above. After they'd built the shed, the local council informed them that only yacht clubs could build on the river.
This led the owners to open Perth's most exclusive yacht club.
Back on Rottnest don’t forget to grab a bite of the island's second favourite attraction - the mouth-watering pies from the island’s renowned bakery.
According to Jess, the steak, bacon and cheese pie is worth the cost of getting over to the island. 

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ABOVE:The island has the most stunning blue you will ever see
PIC 2: Sealink's Quokka Two arrives at the island
PIC 3- Find your own spot in Perth's island paradise
PIC 3 - Exploring the fortifications on the Grand Island Tour

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How to get there:

Sealink offers daily direct ferries from both Perth ​and Fremantle.
For bookings, fares and times, go to SealinkRottnest.com.au (Perth or Fremantle office) or Tel: +61 (8) 93259352.
 
FREE PICKUP:
 To save the hassle of getting to the ferry terminal in Perth, Sealink provides a free hotel pick-up and drop off shuttle bus,leaving in plenty of time to catch the 8.30am city-Rottnest service and meet the 4.15pm return ferry from the island.
 
ISLAND TOURS AVAILABLE:
If you are not up to cycling or walking around the Rottnest sights, Sealink has a number of island tours that include same day ferry transfers.
These include:
* A four-hour Grand Island Tour, which explores the island's iconic spots by coach and finishes with a historic train ride;
* A Segway Fortress Adventure Tour, starting with an in-depth training session before heading to spectacular beaches and gaining an insight into Rottnest's military history and its role in WW11.
* A Bayseeker Island Tour over one-and-a-half hours during which you'll see the island's flora and wildlife, as well as its colonial and maritime histort


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