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March 13, 2024
Falling for the World's Happiest Animal, the Quokka, on Rottnest Island | TRAVEL
TRAVEL | Western Australia
A three-part series. To Western Australia, a paradise where nature and city coexist. Part 3.
In December 2023, I took ANA's direct Narita-Perth flight for my first visit to Western Australia. This third installment of our series introducing the diverse charms of Western Australia, centered around the state capital Perth, focuses on Rottnest Island, home to the "world's happiest animal," the quokka.
Exploring Rottnest Island, a day trip from Perth
Perth, with its Mediterranean climate, is known for having more sunny days than most of Australia. Winters are not harsh, and summers are low in humidity, making it a comfortable place to visit year-round. It's easy to see why so many wild animals inhabit the region.
Among the many attractions of Western Australia, the quokka is a must-see. With a facial expression that seems to be smiling, they are called the "world's happiest animal" and are small marsupials endemic to Australia. Their official name is "quokka wallaby," and depending on the individual, they are about 40-50 cm long and weigh around 2-4 kg (young ones are smaller and easily identifiable). It is said that they spend their first six months in their mother's pouch (marsupium). They once inhabited the southwestern part of the Australian mainland, but their numbers drastically decreased due to environmental destruction. Today, many live on Rottnest Island, where the natural environment is protected and there are no natural predators.
Rottnest Island, known as a "quokka paradise," is about 19 square kilometers, roughly the same size as Shinjuku Ward. It is located about 19 kilometers off the coast of Perth and can be reached by ferry from Perth city center in about 90 minutes one way, or from the port town of Fremantle in about 30 minutes. Despite being accessible as a day trip from Perth, Rottnest Island is a scenic resort island with its own unique ecosystem. Many travelers stay for extended periods. Accommodation on the island is said to book up quickly. Standing before the sea, with its beautiful turquoise blue gradation, I deeply regretted not bringing my swimsuit...
It is said that about 12,000 quokkas inhabit Rottnest Island, and indeed, you encounter them everywhere on the island. As they are nocturnal, they are not in huge numbers during the day, but there is no worry about "what if I don't see one?" You'll also find plenty of quokka droppings around (laughs). The name "Rottnest Island" itself is said to originate from when Dutch explorers landed on the island, mistook the quokkas for rats, and called it "Rottenest," meaning "rat's nest" in Dutch. ... Is that really true?
However, quokkas are actually listed as endangered on the Red List. So, while they are incredibly endearing and you'll want to reach out and touch them, touching is strictly forbidden. Feeding them is also prohibited. Signs saying "Quokkas Prohibited" were posted at supermarkets and bakeries (laughs). This implies they would wander in if not for these signs. Incidentally, the small supermarket was overflowing with quokka merchandise (laughs).
To be clear, I'm not particularly fond of marsupials. But upon actually meeting them, I was ecstatic, exclaiming, "Wow, they're even cuter than I imagined!" And indeed, they do look like they're smiling, just as rumored. Are they really smiling?! Their round eyes are also incredibly cute! Before I knew it, I was completely captivated by the quokkas. I desperately tried to resist the urge to buy a large quantity of quokka merchandise (plush toys, T-shirts, hats, and more) and bring it all back to Japan. If you're a marsupial fan, you probably wouldn't regret taking a flight to Perth just to meet a quokka.
Furthermore, Rottnest Island is designated as a Class A Nature Reserve National Park, and private vehicles are not allowed on the island. Travel within the island is by foot, bicycle, shuttle bus, or the electric cart "Quokka Hopper." This is precisely why the untouched nature is so beautiful, and why it's a paradise for quokkas without natural predators.
Incidentally, I learned from a Japanese guide on Rottnest Island that you can also meet quokkas in Japan! In 2020, two male and two female quokkas were gifted to the Saitama Children's Nature Zoo in Higashimatsuyama City, Saitama Prefecture, from the Featherdale Wildlife Park in Australia, at the zoo's strong request. Babies have also been born. The parents and offspring are carefully cared for and have become the zoo's most popular residents. And these quokkas in Saitama are currently the only quokkas living outside of Australia in the world.
Address: 44 Mews Road, Fremantle WA 6160
Tel: +61 8 9335 1911
The port town of Fremantle, just a 30-minute train or bus ride from Perth, is the gateway to Rottnest Island and is well worth a visit. Its streets, lined with well-preserved colonial architecture from the British colonial era, transport visitors back to the 19th century and are popular with locals and tourists alike. It was selected as one of "WORLD'S GREATEST PLACES 2022" by American magazine "Time," and the Old Fremantle Prison is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Held on weekends (Friday to Sunday), the "Fremantle Markets" is a historic market that has been operating since 1897. On market days, over 150 stalls open, offering local products such as nut shops, organic tea vendors, and honey cakes with a 10-day shelf life and no preservatives. In addition to food, there are also many crafts, so be careful not to overspend (laughs).
CicerellosAddress: 44 Mews Road, Fremantle WA 6160
Tel: +61 8 9335 1911
https://www.cicerellos.com.au/
Oh, and don't forget, the seafood dishes enjoyed at the seaside restaurants are exceptional. This time, I visited "Cicerellos," located by the harbor. While the fish and chips are reputed to be delicious, the guide ordered the grilled lobster, a famous Western Australian specialty. I also tried the "Chilli Mussels," a Perth specialty (mussels simmered in a spicy tomato sauce).
I tried "Chilli Mussels" several times during this tour, and it was interesting how the seasoning varied from restaurant to restaurant, making me want to "test their skills" at every place (laughs). Of course, the spiciness can be adjusted. I personally prefer it a bit spicier. It pairs wonderfully with white wine.
