Geography of Rottnest Island facts for kids
Rottnest Island is a beautiful island located about 18 kilometers (11 miles) west of Perth, Western Australia. It's a popular spot for holidays and day trips, known for its stunning beaches, clear waters, and unique wildlife. The island is about 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) long and 4.5 kilometers (2.8 miles) wide at its widest point. Its coastline stretches for about 35 kilometers (21.7 miles), featuring many bays, points, and smaller islands.
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Exploring Rottnest Island's Landscape
Rottnest Island has some interesting natural features, including several hills and many beautiful coastal spots.
Hills and Lighthouses
The island has a few named hills. The highest is Wadjemup Hill, which stands about 45 meters (148 feet) tall. This is where you'll find the Wadjemup Lighthouse, a very important landmark that helps guide ships. Other hills include Oliver Hill, Radar Hill, and Mount Herschel.
Beautiful Bays and Beaches
Rottnest Island is famous for its many bays, coves, and beaches, perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing. Some of the most well-known include:
- The Basin: A popular spot with calm, shallow water.
- Geordie Bay: A lovely bay with a relaxed atmosphere.
- Little Salmon Bay: Great for snorkeling and seeing marine life.
- Parakeet Bay: Another beautiful beach with clear water.
- Pinky Beach: Close to the main settlement, known for its sunsets.
- Salmon Bay: A long, sandy beach on the south side of the island.
- Thomson Bay: The main bay where ferries arrive, next to the island's main village.
Points and Islands Around the Coast
The coastline also has many interesting points and smaller islands. These often have great views or are good for exploring. Some examples are:
- Bathurst Point: Home to the Bathurst Lighthouse.
- Cape Vlamingh: Also known as the West End, offering amazing ocean views.
- Dyer Island: A small island just off the coast.
- Parker Point: The southernmost point of the island.
- West End: A rugged and beautiful area at the far west of the island.
Main Jetties
When you visit Rottnest Island, you'll likely arrive at one of its jetties. The main ones are:
- Kingstown jetty
- Thomson Bay jetty
Rottnest Island's Lakes
Rottnest Island has several unique salt lakes. These lakes are an important part of the island's ecosystem. Some of the named lakes include:
- Garden Lake
- Government House Lake
- Lake Baghdad
- Lake Herschel
- Lake Negri
- Lake Sirius
- Lake Timperley
- Lake Vincent
- Pearse Lake
- Serpentine Lake
Water Supply on the Island
Fresh water is very precious on Rottnest Island. Because of this, many wells and bores (holes drilled into the ground to find water) have been created over the years to help supply water for everyone on the island.
See also
- Rottnest Island shipwrecks — learn about the ships that have been wrecked near the island.
- Colonial buildings of Rottnest Island
- Islands of Perth, Western Australia
