Our Western Australia Rottnest Island Adventures

Rottnest Island, Western Australia:   As they explore the beach searching for rocks to build a marina and treasures to take home as keepsakes, little Josh, Jess and Charlotte try to catch a glimpse of the sea lion that lives in a cave at the end of Marjorie Bay.

Marjorie Bay is one of the many picturesque and secluded bays of Rottnest Island, featuring a 600 metre long sandy beach surrounded by bluffs, rocks and reef, it is a popular anchorage for boaters and an adventurers haven.

For Josh, 4, Jess, 3 and Charlotte, 2, Rottnest Island is their favourite cruising destination on board the family’s Riviera 41 Open Flybridge.

Rottnest Island is located off the Perth coast, about 20 kilometres northwest of Fremantle.  It is renowned for its coral reefs, hidden bays, and wildlife.  Popular destinations include The Basin which is a bay surrounded by reef, Thompson Bay, Longreach Bay, and Geordie Bay are all good spots for swimming.

Jason and Julie Toohey said the children enjoyed exploring all the little bays at Rotto and swimming in the crystal clear water.

“As soon as we leave our pen in Fremantle, we head for the south passage into Thommo’s (Thompson Bay) and the children are just brimming with excitement,” Julie said.

“As we pass Natural Jetty we always remark about how we make sure we pass on the right side of the port marker so we don’t end up on the rocks.  We always go through Thommo’s as Josh and Charlie like to see the new channel markers that have been installed warning mariners about the submerged rocks within Thompson’s.

“Sometimes during winter we stay in Thompson’s because it is the main bay where all the shops, facilities and playgrounds are so there is always a lot to do.

“Next time we stay in Thompson’s we re going to take the bus to visit the Wadjemup Lighthouse as well as take a ride on the island’s train.”

After a night or two at Thompson Bay it is time to up anchor and move to the next destination. 

“We exit Thompson’s to the north, by the ‘falling down North channel marker’ as we have named it, and we head west, passing Longreach Bay and the Basin, which is a great place to snorkel and then past another favourite bay, Geordie.  We keep heading around the north side of the island, past Crayfish Rock and can now see the Wadjemup Lighthouse which sits right in the middle of the island warning mariners about the reefs and rocks that surround Rotto.

“Finally we see the floating starboard marker that marks the entrance to Narrow Neck and Stark Bays.

“Jason takes over the driving at this point because the channel is narrow and flanked each side by shallow rocks and made all the more tricky by the side on swell.”

As soon as the family reaches their mooring, Jason gets out the tender and the family head straight for the beach.

Josh, Jess and Charlotte can spend hours playing on the beach.

“I like to collect rocks to build a marina for my boats,” Josh said.

While Jess builds sandcastles and walks along the beach looking for treasure and Charlie heads straight for the water with her surfboard.

“We don’t always go to the same beach though.  There are lots of beaches around the bays at Rotto,” Josh said.

“They all have beautiful white sand and we like to swim in the clear water.  Some of the beaches have rock or reef where we like to snorkel and if we ever get bored swimming, there are plenty of sand dunes to run up and roll down.”

Julie said they also liked to explore Marjorie Bay.

“Marjorie Bay is the next bay to the west of Narrow Neck, here we’ve been told lives a sea lion in a cave at the end of the bay but we’re yet to see it, although we know there is a colony of sea lions that live further around the island,” she said.

“As much as we all love swimming at the beach, our favourite place to swim is to jump off the marlin board, nothing beats jumping off the back of the boat on a hot day at Rotto,” Josh said.

Julie said the bays were crystal clear and they could see small fish swimming around and there were usually a pod of dolphins swimming in the bay.

“As soon as it is dark enough we turn the underwater lights on and get our fishing rods out and fish for herring.  We’ve even seen an octopus get caught.  All the fish we catch we put into the bait tank and mummy puts food colouring in so we have an awesome looking aquarium,” Josh said.

“But the best thing about Rotto is not only spending time on our boat and at the beach but spending heaps of time with mummy and daddy who have nothing else better to do than play with us.”

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