We departed from Mandurah and made our way to Perth. Along our journey, we paused to catch up with old colleagues (for anyone from work reading along, it was Brad and Chloe White), who had just returned to the area. It was wonderful to reconnect and see some familiar faces over breakfast. After our reunion, we set off for the caravan park, which boasted two inviting pools and a large spa that the kids immediately enjoyed. Refreshed and cool, we ventured into town to witness the last of the Giants, which was all the way up here. We also grabbed a few supplies in anticipation of the next day’s adventure to Rottnest Island.

The next morning, we rose bright and early, allowing what we assumed was ample time to reach the ferry terminal, just 30 minutes away. However, the drive stretched into a nerve-wracking hour, and we found ourselves in a race against the clock, barely making it to the terminal, only to discover the ferry would be delayed beyond its scheduled departure. The subsequent boat ride proved relaxing, delivering us to the shores of Rottnest Island in a much better mood.

Our first stop was the bike rental, our chosen mode of transport to explore the island. Measuring 11 km across and 4 km wide, Rottnest is reasonably compact, making for a manageable ride, although the 35-degree heat added an extra layer of challenge. Ollie, instantly in his element after a lack of biking opportunities lately, whizzed around with sheer joy, even showing off some wheelies! Our first destination was Little Salmon Bay for some snorkelling. Despite the rough waves, once past them we were rewarded with plenty of fish amongst the seaweed and rocks.

As we continued our ride toward the far side of the island, we encountered our first quokka, a curious and friendly creature that approached us and even attempted to climb onto Lily’s leg. After capturing plenty of photos and enjoying a few quokka selfies, we journeyed on.

The westward ride to the island’s and Australia’s westernmost point was long and tiring but undeniably beautiful. Along the way, we gazed out at stunning beaches, rewarding ourselves upon arrival with some pricey yet refreshing soft drinks, the only available option. We admired the sea lions at Cathedral Rocks before setting off on the return journey across the island. We soon stumbled upon a couple more quokkas. Seeking respite from the heat, we paused at Parakeet Bay, a stunning spot that quickly became our favourite beach of the day.

Continuing onwards, we visited The Basin, an excellent snorkelling location. The reef was only a few steps away once in the water and was full of channels where the fish were hiding. After covering roughly 28 km and feeling the day’s toll, we headed back to the main town to explore its charms. By late afternoon, quokkas had appeared everywhere, much to Oliver and Lily’s delight, as they eagerly snapped countless pictures. They even picked up quokka souvenirs at the gift shop, among other treasures. No trip would be complete without visiting Simmo’s Ice Cream, touted as “the best in the world.” It was hard to contest that claim, as it tasted exceptionally delicious! We spent our remaining time at the playground, watching the sun set among playful quokkas as the kids enjoyed themselves.

All in all, it was a fabulous day, one that the kids declared the highlight of the trip so far!