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| Bell Tower in downtown Perth |
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| Downtown Perth seen from the back of ferry |
We took a tour on a bus while on the island. The bus did not have an emergency exit per se, but rather a little hammer with which to break a window, perhaps allowing one to crawl over shards of broken glass?
There is some incredible scenery on the island. All kinds of little bays and coves abound
Wadjemup Lighthouse lies very near the centre of the island. It gets its name from the Aboriginal name for Rottnest Island, Wadjemup, which means "place of the ancestors".
There are several small salt lakes on the island. This is one of many. Wadjemup lighthouse is visible in the background.
There are also numerous shipwrecks surrounding the island. Over the centuries of European colonization of Australia, many ships were wrecked on the reefs of the island.
The Quokka. From which the island gets its name. Sort of. Early settlers though this marsupial, belonging to the Family Macropodidae (which also includes kangaroos and wallabies), was a rat. Quokka is the Aboriginal word for this animal. They are for the most part, nocturnal, but many can still be found up and about during daylight hours. Since they have no natural enemies, and also since they see people all the time, they don't run away when you get close and try to take photos.
There is also an incredible variety of birds on the island. The bus tour guide operator said that over 180 species of bird call the island home, with numerous other transients and migratory birds making appearances.
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| Osprey on nest |
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| Osprey in flight |
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| Rainbow bee-eater |
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| Australian crow |
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| Black-winged stilt |
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| Red-necked avocet |
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