Nature & Wildlife

Boorn Boodja / Woodland

The island’s unique woodland habitat is a delight to explore.

Rottnest Island pine trees, tea trees, and wattle trees provide shelter to countless species of bush birds, including the beautiful golden whistler, red-capped robin, silvereye, and singing honeyeaters.

At night, the island’s white-striped free-tailed bat population comes to life. These nocturnal creatures can be tricky to spot in the tree canopy, but are easily heard thanks to their unique echolocation calls.

Since 1963, the Rottnest Island Authority has been undertaking woodland restoration to preserve this threatened ecological community. Restoration activities include seed collection, propagation (plant reproduction), planting and weed control. 

Balyan Boodja / Wetlands 

The island wetlands are made up of an intricate network of salt lakes, brackish swamps, and small freshwater holes (or wet spots called seeps). Fed by winter rainfall and groundwater that moves to the surface from the underground aquifer, the wetlands cover more than ten per cent of the island. 

A favourite area for birdwatchers, Australian shelducks, bridled and crested terns, waders, and red-necked phalarope are visible at nearly every turn. It’s also a sanctuary for other island wildlife, especially amphibians. Hard to see but easy to hear, the moaning frog, motorbike frog, and squelching froglets are among the local residents. 

The wetlands sustain life on the island, supporting all the other ecosystems. Up to 19 freshwater and saltwater invertebrate families live in the wetland system, providing food for reptiles, amphibians, birds and mammals. The wetlands also provide vital resources for migratory shorebirds, including over 1% of the world’s population of banded stilts.

Learn more about the lakes and salt lakes 

Ngobar djooraly / Scrub Heath

Known for its signature salty-sweet smell, the scrub heath is one of the biggest habitats on the island, covering more than half of Wadjemup. 

As the woodland disappeared over the years, the heathland began to dominate with its dense covering providing a refuge for reptiles like bobtails and the king skink. A number of birds also live freely amongst the prickle lily and feather speargrass, which grow undisturbed thanks to the quokka’s natural aversion to the plants.

Ngobar / Coastal 

Famous for its stunning coastal landscapes, you can’t help but be captivated by the island’s sweeping beaches, sand dunes, and limestone cliffs. With every gust of wind, seashell particles and quartz sand form the coastline’s ever-changing fingerprint. 

This habitat has created the perfect home for stunning birdlife including wedge-tailed shearwaters, cormorants, terns, and impressive osprey. Along with the familiar king’s skink, these bird species are just as much part of the coastal landscape as the sand dunes.

Saucer-shaped sandy depressions, called blowouts, are a phenomenon you can see across the island, caused by years of wind erosion. A natural process, they’ve become more common as human activities increase.

Maambakoort / Ocean 

Settlement Areas

Although man-made, the settlement areas are not devoid of nature and wildlife. As you walk through Thomson Bay, you will likely observe quokkas, bobtail lizards, and silver gulls. These species flourish in their natural habitats further afield, but be sure to remember that they are wild animals. Be mindful not to feed or touch the wildlife, as it can harm their physical and behavioural development. 

Many introduced (non-native) plant species grow in the main settlement and along the roads and pathways. Some of these plants were brought to the island in the 19th century for gardens and orchards, and to create shade.

One of the biggest attractions on the island is the quokka population. It is common to see them in the settlement area of the island, but to truly experience them in their natural habitat, take a trip to the wider reserve. During August, joeys can be seen poking their heads out of their mothers' pouches; in September, they make their first steps into the island world. 

Remember, we are here to simply observe the quokkas (and all wildlife on Wadjemup) as they continue their natural movements around the island.