Perks on Earth

It is no secret that I am a through – and – through beach bum. For as long as I can remember, the sea is my solace. Growing up at Woodbine Hill, the ocean was our playground, our doorstep sandy beaches and calm (mostly) waters. Beach picnics and horse rides were weekly, if not daily, events at home. When I moved to Edinburgh, the sea, again, was only a short bus ride away. On those days where life felt like it was getting tough, I craved the ocean, and was lucky enough to be so near. Living in Rome, Italy, the sea was a luxury I didn’t know I would crave. Lockdowns and restrictions brought on a caged feeling that only one thing could cure – the coast. In a way, the sea has always been my medicine, before I would seek any other remedies, the ocean usually does the trick. When Dara fell ill in Vietnam, I knew the sea would be my realignment, and I wasn’t wrong. When I finally reached the coast in Bronte in Sydney, it was all okay again. The sea is a source of such happiness and freedom, nothing beating the feeling of submerging in the vastness of the oceans. The only thing that the Irish Sea is missing, for me, is warmth. Though a few lucky summer days give way to real beach weather, we are usually blessed with windy wet weather, and freezing cold seas. Perhaps the harsh conditions add to the thrill of the coastline, but I would not be one to complain when the sun came out and warmed the shores. So yesterday when we pulled into the marina at Rottnest island in Western Australia, I could not wipe the smile from my face. Heaven for all beach bums, and it did not disappoint.

Before describing the amazing beauty of Rottnest island, it is important to acknowledge the dark history that resides there. Like all of Australia, Rottnest island, or Wadjemup, was originally Aboriginal land. When settlers came and changed the way of life that the Indigenous Australians lived, Rottnest was turned from a place of great spiritual importance, to a prison for the Aboriginal people. Boys as young as eight, as well as adult men and elders, were sent to Rottnest from across Western Australia, many dying on the journey. Known as the Rottnest Island Establishment, the prison imprisoned more than 3,000 Aboriginal people before it was closed in 1931. Two years after the prison was closed, a motion was raised to give the island a new identity, and the holiday destination we all see Rottnest as today was created. Now home to holiday goers and globe trotters, it is important for all who visit to acknowledge and pay respect to the painful past of the island, and appreciate the people who originally found and lived in this sacred place. On arrival, a beautiful sculpture of a surfboard and metal whale gives detail of the islands past, and a museum lies in the centre of the main town, in an attempt to educate the hundreds of people who visit each year.

On the ferry ride to the island from Freemantle, Harry and I sat out the back of the boat, and already we knew we were in for the most amazing day. From about 10 minutes out from the island, the crystal clear waters evidenced the corals and rock formations in the depths. Trying to spy sharks or whales, we hung over the edge, pure fascination on our faces as we gazed into the clearest waters I have ever seen. Arriving to the main marina, we rented bikes and set off on our adventure, wheeling in and out through bustling crowds of holiday makers. No cars are allowed on Rottnest, so the winding roads were littered in cyclists and walkers. Our first stop was Little Paraket Bay, and it was stunning. Snow white sands and clear blue waters welcomed us to our first swim on the island. All thirteen of us spread across the beach, covered in suncream and embracing the warm sun. Rottnest is surrounded by a ring reef, making it a safe place to swim away from the surrounding sharks. Regardless of the fact we all knew this, it didn’t stop the litany of shark jokes, most of which saw dad as the victim, mistaken as a great white. After making rough plans on where to meet, we split up and headed off on our way. Stopping for some food, we got to meet the islands locals, the Qoukkas. The strangest little animals I have ever seen, the little rodents look like a cross between a rat and a kangaroo, and they have quite the personalities. Hopping up on picnickers laps and trying to steal an odd sandwich, they were funny little creatures for sure. Littered across the island, often close to the tourist spots to steal some food, they were a funny sight as we travelled across the island.

Renting bikes was the best idea, though it did mean navigating the hilly terrain of the island. The eight of us girls decided to try and catch Mum, Dad and Harry, but we quickly slowed down as we panted our ways up the hills. Screeching up the front, Hanna even managed to run over a brown snake! The island is home to salt lakes, which offered us their signature white banks and pink tinted waters. Eventually we found the rest of the troops, shocked by the unexpected exercise we had found for ourselves. Laughing as we navigated our way forward, we stopped at Parker Point for a photo, but seeing the most amazing beach I have ever seen below us, we had to run down for a swim.

A much quieter beach, we interrupted the beach romance for the couples who had found this little gem, laughing roaringly as we ran into the blue waters to cool down. I have swam in a lot of seas and beaches, and this was the most beautiful water I have ever been lucky enough to swim in. I cannot describe the happiness that filled me, and the smile that is still spread across my face. It was incredible. Sun drunk and salty, we had to wave goodbye to the stunning sands and head back to the settlement to catch our ferry back. Laughing and sweating our way down the paths for the last five kilometres, we pulled in and returned our bikes before treating ourselves to some ice creams as we waited for the ferry back to freeo.

Rottnest islands is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. The island soothed some of my anxieties surrounding waving my family goodbye in the coming day, and I felt grounded as we headed for the mainland. A beach babies paradise, and an absolute must see for anyone visiting Western Australia.