Rottnest is a popular getaway for Perthonians - just a 1/2 hour by speedy ferry ride off of Freemantle (just west of Perth). It has many unique and interesting features. There are essentially no cars on the island. The island authority vehicles and busses are all that are allowed (we were lucky to have an island van follow us along on the bike route so that we did not have to carry all our gear!)
One of the first oddities you notice is the islands namesake. The island was originally (falsely) named for the 'Rats' - which are actually a marsupial - the Quokka. There are about 10,000 of them on the island. They are extremly adapatable and thrive where there are no natural predators. They are not the least afraid of humans and actually very cute and will let you pat them (although they are full of fleas and carry salmonella). Although nocturnal, there are still some out during the day also. On the mainland they are almost extinct with the introduction of feral cats and other predators - but on Rottnest they RULE.
We arrived on the island early Friday morning, picked up our bikes and headed to our 
accommodations - the barracks. We had our first educational introduction to the island with a seminar. Unfortunately the water was too rough so we had to forego our snorkelling tour. So instead we started cycling - and for the rest of the weekend it seemed all we did was cycle, and eat!! The island was originally about 70% forested - and they are hoping to get it back up to about 50%; now it is about 10%. Students take part in reforesting and the areas are fenced off from the Quokkas who quickly devour them out if not kept out. At the right here is one of the native 'broccoli trees'.
Rottnest was a key strategic defense in the second world war protecting the harbour at Freemantle and Perth. 
The island was taken over and is still full of empty remnants of the posts. We visited the 9 inch gun which protected the waters. Surrounding the area were the original sand bags which are now totally fossilized - they even have the 
burlap still intact in places. The gun itself is one of only 3 remaining in the world.
We went below into the loading area where 5 men would man the gun. This gun was actually only fired once from this location with real ammo - as it was being retired at the end of the war (and that instance was a fiasco as it hit a sand dune). We also visited the tunnels under the gun where the munitions and engines for the gun resided - you really feel a sense of history as you walk the steps of those who worked here. Most of the content is now gone since the scrap metal was all taken away after the war. Only the gun r
emained due to its weight. 
All around the island there are lookout posts and pillboxes where men were positioned as lookouts. Check out the warning post below the graffiti on the this one munitions station (at left).
We returned and a had tour of the barracks before dinner (Mike took photos on Sunday which I will post tomorrow). After dinner, we did an evening walk into town and toured the original settlement.
Again, lots of history. The island was also an aboriginal prison from 1838 to 1931. The original prison is now tourist accommodation - kind of creepy to me. Given the islands history, there are also many ghost stories which we were treated to!
Th
e next day (Saturday) we were back on the bikes to do the full island bike tour. The group of us totalled 21: 20 on the bikes and one in the van. Mike held back to get this shot with Ted (our gracious leader and host) pulling up the rear of our gang, with Lindsay (our fearless co-leader) driving the van behind. We are all strung out ahead of him as we headed to the lighthouse. As a group, we only got split up and lost 2 or 3 times....but given the size of the island (11km long by max 4.5km wide) it wasn't too big a deal. 
On our journey we passed several Osprey nests and several hovered overhead. This photo was from a family of 5
who were flying over us. We could hear them calling to each other. One was resting on a signpost also, but as Mike approached he took off. Very majestic, but not too smart apparently. We were told of one that drowned as it did not know to release a fish which was too heavy (their talons contract automatically in 
coordination with their legs We
made our way around the island,
stopping at the midpoint for lunch with some spectacular views. The bays are full 
of boats of all varieties - and there is no shortage of yachts such as the one on the right here. There is lots of money on the west coast of Australia these days with all the mining and oil!!But perhaps the highlight of the trip was the snorkelling.
Although we did not get to snorkel on Friday, Saturday was a bit calmer. The final unique fact about Rottnest is that it has the most southern coral reef in the world. The warm currents run down off shore from the coast and run right past Rottnest. There are wonderful corals right off shore which you can snorkel through. Our time snorkelling was short but sweet . You can see some of the coral reefs at right. 
We have purchased an underwater camera bag for our little point and shoot camera and this was our first chance to try it out. Kyle at left and some reef fish at right (in case you weren't sure which was which).
Hopefully we will become more skilled at taking underwater shots for our upcoming trip to the Ningaloo reef in a couple of weeks. This snorkelling has really whetted our appetite for more!!
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