7 Great Ways To Relax On Australia's Island Paradise

It has been compared to a Greek Island "without the crowds" and words such as "serene" and "paradise" flow freely when visitors describe it.

Yet this subtropical island in the Indian Ocean just a short ferry ride off the coast of Western Australia remains largely undiscovered by international visitors.

Oh by the way. The locals regard it as "their" holiday playground and have been trying to keep it a secret for years. But more visitors attract better accommodation and facilities. "Rotto", as it affectionately known has undergone a transformation and most visitors to Perth take the short ferry ride "overseas" to experience its magic.

Here are 7 ways to experience the beauty of Rottnest Island.

1.Enjoy the serenity.

From the moment you step off the ferry, you are in a different world. The salty air is fresh, clean and pollution free. There are no private motor vehicles and no traffic lights. The only sound is the chatter of happy holiday makers. You have had your first experience of the spirit and essence of Rotto.

At the end of the jetty, you will find the visitors' information centre. Armed with brochures and information, take a short stroll to the Dome restaurant and over a cup of coffee, plan your day's activities. The view of children playing happily on the beach and yachts anchored in the calm waters of Thomson Bay will set the tone for your relaxing day.

Here are some suggestions.

2.Cycling and walking.

Rottnest has no private vehicles, and the roads are almost empty. It is very safe for cycling and walking, so why not hire a bike for the day? This will give you the freedom to explore the beautiful little bays, beaches and coves at your leisure. Chances are you will have them to yourself.

If you choose to walk, many of the bays and coves, including my favourite beach, the Basin, are within easy walking distance.

3.Swimming, snorkeling and diving.

Many visitors to Rottnest say that it has the best beaches in Australia.

It is a magical island to enjoy swimming, snorkeling and diving in isolated beaches and coves with clean, white sands and turquoise clear water. The most popular swimming beaches are the Basin, Longreach Bay and Thomson Bay.

Divers from all parts of the world are attracted to the coral reefs surrounding many of these beaches. Warm ocean currents are a haven for colorful tropical fish similar to those on the Great Barrier Reef.

Yesterday I spoke to Paul and Linda from San Diego. Both keen divers, they had spent the morning at a special snorkel trail at Parker Point. The described the variety and color of the marine life as "amazing".

4.Take a tour.

If you are feeling a little less energetic, the Rottnest Island Board operates Bay Seeker buses to take you to the scenic spots around the island. You can hop on and off as you choose. This allows you time stop and enjoy a beach or cove and then move on to the next attraction.

The island also has a dedicated group of volunteers to assist you with your holiday planning.

The Rottnest Voluntary Guides conduct daily tours to showcase the island's history, wildlife, lighthouses and World War 2 guns. Most tours are free although there is a charge for a train trip up to the guns and a tour of the tunnels and gun emplacements.

5.See the wildlife.

Many visitors travel to Rottnest just to see the unique and harmless little rat like creatures called Quokkas. They are distant relatives to the kangaroo, and can only be found on Rottnest.

One of the early visitors to Rottnest, a Dutch navigator named Wilhelm Vlamingh, noticed the similarity to rats when he visited the island in 1696. He named the island "Rats Nest" and it was later changed to its present name.

You can take free tours run by Rottnest Voluntary Guides to see these animals, but most times you will see them hopping around the streets and parks. If you are staying overnight, you will find them everywhere. Beware leaving your front door open. You may have a surprise visitor!

6.Enjoy the weather.

Rottnest is a year round holiday destination and visitors can relax and enjoy its beauty in all seasons.

The summer months from December to February are warm to hot and usually rainless with clear, sunny days and mild nights. Winter months (June to August) tend to be cool and rainy, but most days are sunny. This is a popular time of the year for those who enjoy cycling, walking, golfing and outdoor activities.

My favourite season is the autumn or fall. The months of March to May are mild and pleasant for all activities, including swimming.

7.Eat, drink and enjoy the island's ambience.

No visit to Rottnest would be complete without enjoying a relaxing meal or drink.

Recent upgrades to the Quokka Arms hotel and a new Dome restaurant have made a major improvement to the island's facilities. These are in addition to the restaurant and accommodation at the Rottnest Lodge and takeaway food in the main shopping mall.

Here's a suggestion.

If you really want to enjoy the relaxing ambience of Rotto, stay overnight and enjoy the true beauty of this island paradise in the late afternoon or early evening.

After the ferries loaded with day trippers have returned to the mainland, the island suddenly becomes almost deserted.

Take a stroll down to the Quokka Arms hotel, and enjoy a delicious seafood meal washed down with a nice cold beer. Watch the rays of the setting sun as they reflect with a golden glow on the distant skyscrapers of the city of Perth on mainland Australia.

Think of the traffic, the noise, the crowds and the pollution far away in a different world and enjoy your moments of serenity and peace.

You will have then discovered the soul and essence of the magical island the locals love and affectionately call Rotto.