Rottnest Island: Australia is surrounded by islands, but this spot is clearly the best

Sure Byron Bay and the Gold Coast have the Insta appeal, but one visit to this island and it’ll blow everything you loved about the east coast out of the water.

When it comes to island escapes, Australians have hit the jackpot.

From Magnetic to Moreton, King Island off Tasmania to the wildlife living on Kangaroo – if island hopping is your thing, you’ll be set for years to come.

But after two years of border closures and interstate travel restrictions, I was lucky enough to step on board the first flight to Western Australia and finally allowed to visit a slice of paradise that had entrenched itself on my bucket list.

There’s no denying Rottnest has received a decent amount of exposure in recent times. I mean, when you get Chris Hemsworth in a shot with one of Australia’s cutest animals...

It’s hard to forget this shot.

Rottnest Island, sitting just a 30-minute ferry ride from must-visit Fremantle, is a nature/water/relaxation-lover’s dream location.

Surrounded by turquoise blue water contrasting with the rugged limestone and white sandy beaches, you could spend days just taking in the wonders of this island.

I had about 12 hours to get a taster of the island – and by the time sunrise rolled around – I had to drag myself on the ferry home. It’s a tough place to leave, that’s for sure.

Setting off from Fremantle, the trip goes by in a flash and gives you a bit of time to decide on where and what you’d like to explore first.

If there's one thing to do on Rottnest, it's pack a pair of boots and hike the stunning trails on foot with The Hike Collective.

One hike won't be enough. There are five trails that make up the 45km stretch of the Wadjemup Bidi network, which extends from one end of the island to the other.

I was lucky enough to have Kate from The Hike Collective as my guide, and with her knowledge of the island, my daytrip was filled with the absolute highlights the island has to offer.

Once we arrived at the dock, we made our way on to the shuttle that circles the island to drop people off at various bays and beaches.

Each stop is better than the last, with the water becoming bluer and the sand whiter with every stop away from town.

The trails are relatively flat, and there’s never a moment you aren’t met with an incredible view.

This was easily my favourite bay on Rottnest Island.

Kate and her team of experienced guides don’t bog the hike down with every single fact about the island, instead, it feels like a walk with a friend.

You learn bits and pieces, but then the conversation takes your to wherever you like. Taking in the views, sights and sounds as you go.

From Salmon Bay, Narrow Neck and fan favourite Pinky Beach – you will literally want to stop and swim at every turn. But be sure to visit my favourite – Little Armstrong Bay.

Wooden stairs cascading down to the white sands, this little bay is quieter and feels rather secluded from nearby Pinky Beach (which is probably the island’s most popular).

All the walking will work up quite the appetite, so by the time you’ve had a dip at Pinky’s on the way back to Thomson Bay, lunch will be in order.

Rottnest Island can get busy during peak season.

Without a doubt the best place to pull up a chair and grab a cocktail and some seafood is Isola bar e Cibo, a fresh take on Italian cuisine while taking in the island life.

Isola is the place to spot for lunch.

The bright and sunny restaurant serves up classic Italian cocktails, spritz and vini specials alongside fresh pasta dishes and meats and WA seafood cooked over their charcoal fired grill.

Isola’s affetatti misti is a must, locally made salumi shaved to order on a hand-cranked slicer paired with pane carasau and house-pickled vegetables.

It’s a great spot to grab a cocktail too.

You’ll need to work off lunch (or maybe not, you do you) but if you want to get back out into all the island has to offer – grab a bike and a set of fins from Pedal & Flipper and prepare for an afternoon of snorkelling.

Couple snorkelling at The Basin, Rottnest Island.

Rottnest Island is the perfect spot to grab a bike and explore.

Make your first stop the most popular beach, being The Basin, where the water is so clear you’ll see fish the moment you launch off the sand.

The waters are calm and warm, making it an enjoyable experience for even the most inexperienced of snorkelers.

Be sure to keep hydrated with a green juice from Geordie's Cafe.

Grab a green juice from Geordie’s Cafe, and move on to Little Parakeet Bay for another dip where the crowds are a little quieter.

Before you know it the sun will be setting and you’ll be on a ferry back to Fremantle or – if you’re lucky – a night on the island with the resident quokkas.

Because let’s face it, a day in this slice of paradise is far from enough!

This writer visited Rottnest Island as a guest of Western Australia Tourism and Rottnest Island Authority