Geography of Rottnest Island facts for kids
Rottnest Island is a super cool island located about 18 kilometers (11 miles) west of Perth, a big city in Western Australia. It's not huge, being about 4.5 kilometers (2.8 miles) wide and 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) long. It's a popular spot for people to visit and explore!
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Exploring Rottnest Island's Coastline
Rottnest Island has a coastline that stretches for about 24 kilometers (15 miles). This means there are lots of different places to discover along the water's edge! You'll find many interesting bays, points, and even smaller islands nearby. Each of these spots has its own special name.
Hills and High Points of Rottnest
Even though Rottnest Island isn't a mountain range, it has some notable hills. The main ones are Wadjemup Hill, Oliver Hill, Radar Hill, and Mount Herschel. The highest point on the island is Wadjemup Hill, which stands about 45 meters (148 feet) tall. This is where you'll find the Wadjemup Lighthouse, a very important landmark!
Cool Coastal Spots to Discover
Rottnest Island is famous for its many beautiful bays and interesting coastal features. Here are just a few of the named places you might find:
- The Basin: A popular swimming spot with calm, clear water.
- Bathurst Point: Home to the Bathurst Lighthouse, another important light for ships.
- Cape Vlamingh: Also known as the West End, it's the westernmost point of the island.
- Catherine Bay: A lovely bay perfect for relaxing.
- Little Salmon Bay: A smaller, pretty bay often enjoyed by visitors.
- Pinky Beach: A well-known beach close to Thomson Bay.
- Salmon Bay: A longer bay, great for swimming and snorkeling.
- Thomson Bay: This is where the main settlement and ferry jetty are located.
Rottnest Island's Lakes
Did you know Rottnest Island also has several lakes? These are usually salt lakes, meaning their water is salty, just like the ocean! Some of the named lakes include:
- Garden Lake
- Government House Lake
- Lake Baghdad
- Lake Herschel
- Lake Negri
- Lake Vincent
Water Supply on the Island
Because Rottnest Island is an island, getting fresh water can be tricky! Over the years, many wells and bores (holes drilled into the ground to find water) have been made to help provide water for everyone on the island. Some of these are still used today, while others are no longer active. For example, there were once bores near Parker Point on the south coast.
