For the audio-story, please click here
Bloody oath, did we just take an elevator up to heaven or what? Perth and its surrounding areas boast so much soul-kissing beauty that it can truly bring a tear or two to your eyes at times… I am not crying, you are!
Anyways, there are truly a lot of spots here that come close to what heaven might resemble, especially if that heaven was envisioned for Condé-Nast-travel-editors, National Geographic- wildlife-photographers or just intrepid travel lovers. Ok, now that the stage is set and your curiosity is sparked, let me introduce you to Rotto. Say what?
Western Australian wildlife at its best: The prettiest rats you´ll ever see
Rotto is local speak for Rottnest Island, an absolute chocolate-praline of an island located about a 25-minute ferry ride off Fremantle in Western Australia. Rotto is everything you think the Carribean might look like, plus quokkas. Say what again?
Well, imagine stepping off the ferry in Thomson Bay, being blinded by white sand beaches, greeted by incredibly clear blue waters sparkling invitingly in the sun and a sky the color of azure-blue confetti. Your gaze wanders around, your mood lifts from taking in all the picture-perfect impressions around you and then, something VERY unusual stops you in your tracks.
I am not unusual, you are.
Image via Pixabay
Is it an Instagrammed aka beautified rat? Is it a small kangaroo gone wrong? No! The small animals that like to wander around Rotto as if they own the place (which they kinda do) are called quokkas. If a zoologist would explain to you what they are, he would probably say that they are wallaby-like marsupials about the size of a cat.
Quokkas are a truly Western Australian wildlife phenomenon and make for an exceptional animal encounter, as they can only be found on some islands off the Western Australian coast and in the forest and coastal heath in the South-Western part of this vast state.
The quokka is a true trendsetter by the way, as he/she prefers vegan food, and is furthermore also very photogenic. It´s no wonder, then, that quokkas do fancy the occasional photo-shoot. Ah well, they might be slightly addicted. But who isn´t, in these times of social media mayhem? Sorry, I am wandering off. Back to your new found animal friend.
A pretty good-looking rat, if you ask me. 
High on natural beauty on one of Rotto´s 63 beaches. 
Smiling is good for your health, and you know it. 
If you say so…lots to smile about on Rotto anyways… 
Like meeting the world´s hottest marsupial! 
On the ferry from Perth to Rottnest Island
No matter whether you choose to explore the Rottnest Island nature reserve by foot or on a bike, you´ll see quokkas all around. They will approach you if you stick around for a bit, so get that selfie-stick ready and put a smile on your dial. The quokka usually already has one, that´s why it´s often called “the happiest animal ever” by its admirers. I would be happy, too, if a whole island was named after me!
The rat´s nest real deal: How to effortlessly make a quokka selfie happen
Yep, the name ´Rottnest´is actually a weird sort of love declaration to the fun-loving furry marsupials, because, just like you, 17th century Dutch explorers didn´t know what hit them when they saw these cuties for the first time. They accordingly named the island after their perception of the quokkas as cat-sized rats – Rottnest Island literally means rat´s nest.
Alright, let´s assume you are waiting for your quokka-friends on this car-free island playground, ideally around the main settlement area in the late afternoon. Your new photo-co-stars love green spaces and grass (ahem, no comment), so they often hang out around the green space where the bakery is, according to insider sources on the island.
I am also into beer, but that´s our secret. 
Maybe the only quokka-free zone on
Rotto.
You could also choose to interact around Thomson Bay or see if a quokka wants to keep you company at the Oceanside Pub. Anyways, quokka approaches you, next up, get low to the ground and close to the quokka’s level, and do not put your arm around it – you can do that with your uncle Bill, but not with this wild and free Selfie queen/ king. Do not touch it all, actually. Think of it as a Julia Roberts/ Jane Fonda or a Sam Heughan/George Clooney in animal form. You wouldn´t touch them, either, if you crossed their path, right? Being starstruck and all.
To top off your quokka-interaction- experience, continue on to the final step: Click that freaking shutter! Yeah, you´ve done it! And the best part: No need to Whatsapp the quokka-mate the new picture. They have plenty already.
Back to you, dear reader: Have you ever heard of Rottnest Island and its happy-go-lucky quokkas before? What´s the most unusual animal you´ve ever been around? Also: What is something that always makes you smile without fail? As always, would love to hear from you.
Handy information part
- To get there: Take a ferry from Fremantle, central Perth or Hillary´s Boat Harbour. There are numerous ferries available daily with Rottnest Express and Rottnest Fast Ferries.
- Be a smart cookie: Do not touch the quokkas, you or them might get unwell from that. Think of them as a really, really shy and touch-averse Tinder-date.
- Do not feed them, either. Think of yourself feeding them as that overeager aunt that always wanted to stuff you with food you didn´t want.
- What to bring along: Bring a Selfie-stick to keep a decent distance between you and smiley quokka. Remember, they are basically movie or TV stars. Keep your cool and don´t get hysterical 😛
If you enjoyed this content, you can support A gypsy at heart here – thank you, danke, gracias, merci, grazie, arrigato, dhanywaad, xièxiè… in advance!:)
Copyright: Yadayadayada. You know the gist – All rights reserved for like everything @A gypsy at heart. Because. Its mine muahahaha (evil laugh) 😛
A Gypsy at Heart 
Thanks for commenting, dear! Wonderful to hear you enjoyed it. Have a gorgeous day!
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This post makes me smile. I’m glad you enjoy your travels so much. Your delight shines through in the words and images. They are cute buggers. 🙂 Rock on!
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Cheers Brad, that´s awesome to hear! The quokkas fun-loving vibe was truly infectious 🙂 They ARE cute, aren´t they? 🙂 I am always amazed as to the variety and pure awesomeness of nature. Thanks for your encouraging feedback. Yeah, let´s rock on 😎 Hugs
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Yes, they seem very cute and fun. Hugs…
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All photos are most beautiful,. Bùiì ťhe best.buàs nocches.amiga.😴😴😴😴😴😴😴😴
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Bahut bahut dhanyawaad meri jaan 🙂 Namaste and hugs to you. Enjoy amiga, hugs 💖
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Love you in my dreams,amiga.😘😘😘😘
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Much love to you amiga xxx
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Good mornimg(Suprabhat-सूप्रभात)Querida amiha.just one minute befor,my eyrs opned and rised up from my lovely bed.you know-i like so much to sleep and see the dreams.now going out of my room for daily morning works.talk later.Muchs love💕💕💕💕and Big hugs,meri jaan😘😘😘😘😘
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Oh, how I loved this! My dear Gypsy friend, you’ve done the humble yet movie stardom quokka absolute justice. Aren’t they simply the most adorable animal, you’ve captured their cuteness and spirit beautifully.
Thank you for a wonderful post Maria, makes me want to head back to Perth and Rottnest island for another WA experience. Muchos hugs and love to you gorgeous. xxxx 😘
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Aw thanks Miriam! So good to get your wonderful feedback, and especially cool as you are such an awesome writer and living on my so-missed Aussie-basically-hometurf hehe. Man every time we write I´m like “Let´s get on a plane to Aus already” 😀 The quokkas are quite something hey? So cool you got to hang out with them! Muchos hugs and so much love back to ya my lovely amiga xxxx 😘
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Aww, you’re so sweet Maria, thanks for your wonderful comment. You’re an awesome writer too my friend and yep, those quokkas are pretty awesome too! I love that you’d love to come back to Australia, who knows hey, maybe one day! Hugs and love xxxx 😍
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Aww thanks Miriam!! Love our uplifting comment exchanges :)❤️ Yes I am determined to come back to Australia, love it way too much 🙂 Listening to Xavier Rudd nonstop at the moment lol. Big hugs and much love my precious friend xxxx 😍
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My goodness girl, you tell a great travel story!! Without fail you make me want to travel to these places. I bet you’ve bought smiles to the faces of people all over the world. Love this xo
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Aww thanks so much Rachel! So happy to hear that 🙂 New Zealand must be incredible, next time I am Down Under I gotta head over to your amazing homecountry! THAT scenery…mindblowing. Sending ya a big smile and hug dear poetess, so glad you enjoyed:) xo
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Aww that smile and hug very gratefully received xo
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❤️xox
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Okay, I gotta say, I love your writing style and the subject of this post is undeniably adorable. I kept smiling and thinking “aweeeeee so cute.” Before reading this I’d never or at least I don’t recall, hearing of quokkas before and your descriptions of them are hilarious.
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Steph, thanks so much, over the moon that you enjoyed this so much and had some fun with us!:) Thanks for taking the time to read and getting in touch, love it. Yes the quokkas are very private celebrities – I only learned about them myself when I lived in Australia. They might just be the most positive of all animals hehe. Wishing you a wonderful New Year, Steph! 🤗
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And you as well!!🤗
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🤗 Thanks Steph:)
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