Island Rottnest located 18 km from the coast of Western Australia, near Fremantle. The local aboriginal tribe nungar (noongar) called him "pagemap", which means "place on the other side of the water, inhabited by spirits. This small island is 11 km long and 4, 5 km in the widest part. Total area – 19 sq. km. the Entire island is a protected natural area – it does not have any private ownership. Australians call it just Rotto, for nearly 50 years, he is one of the favorite places of recreation for residents of Western Australia.

Already 30 thousand years ago on Ratesthe was inhabited by aborigines until about 7 thousand years ago the rising sea level has not separated the island from the mainland. It is believed that after this event the island many thousands of years has been uninhabited since the aborigines had no boats to cross the Strait. The first Europeans came here in the early 17th century were the Dutch sailors. Captain Willem de Vlamingh in 1696 gave the island the name Rottnest, which in Dutch means "rat's nest". Most likely, he did it because living here marsupial quack – they really look like big rats.

In 1830, shortly after the founding of the port of Fremantle, on the island Rottnest moved one Robert Thomson with his wife and seven children – here he herded cattle and mined salt, which is then exported to the mainland. From 1838 to 1931 the island was used as a place of exile for "unruly" natives. During the First and Second world wars there was an internment camp – mainly Germans, Austrians and Italians. In the 1940s on the island he built a small railway, which, together with the Armoury and the barracks became known as "the castle of the island Rottnest" - today it is a popular tourist attraction.

Wildlife of the island is quite remarkable. Rottnest famous for three tree species that are endemic, that is, do not grow anywhere else in the world is pine Rottnest, tea tree Rottnest and the so-called skunk tree. Among other representatives of the local flora – sea mustard, spinifex and wild rosemary or rosemary.

One of the most amazing inhabitants of the island is quokka or short-tailed kangaroo. A large number of its population here is the result of lack of cats and other predators such as foxes.

Very much on Ratesthe birds: in the coastal dunes can be found pied cormorants, ospreys, sandpipers, gulls, terns, parrots and reef herons. Located on the shores of salt lakes are found Australian solonoski, kanesaki, Curlew sandpipers, little laugh, Wagtails and other birds.

Rich reefs surrounding the island, gave shelter to many species of fish, crustaceans and corals. Sometimes in these waters there are dolphins, Australian sea lions and humpback whales.

Today the island Rottnest, which is a major recreational area in the region, visited by nearly half a million people a year. Most visitors – 70% - back this summer and stay there for just one day to explore the amazing nature and historical heritage of these places. Here you can also enjoy diving, fishing or Biking along the surf.

Interestingly, Ratesthe like to celebrate the end of school graduates at this time of year, the island is even closed to other visitors, and to get him you need to show your passport and school leaving certificate.