ottnest Island (known as Wadjemup to the local Noongar people, and otherwise

colloquially known as Rotto) is an island off the coast of Western Australia,

located 18 kilometres (11 mi) west of Fremantle. A sandy, low-lying island formed
on a base of aeolianite limestone, Rottnest is an A-class reserve, the highest
level of protection afforded to public land. Together with Garden Island, Rottnest
Island is a remnant of Pleistocene dune ridges.[3]

The island covers 19 square kilometres (7.3 sq mi) and is administered by the
Rottnest Island Authority under a separate act of parliament. Rottnest is a popular
destination, and there are daily services to Perth, the state's capital and largest
city. It has a permanent population of around 300 people, with around 500000 annual
visitors (and up to 15000 visitors at a time during peak periods).

On 28 April 2017 the government of Western Australia announced that the Department
of Parks and Wildlife would merge with the Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority, the
Zoological Parks Authority, and the Rottnest Island Authority on 1 July 2017 to
form the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.[4]

Rottnest is well known for its population of quokkas, a small native marsupial
found in very few other locations. The island is also home to colonies of
Australian sea lions and southern fur seals. A number of native and introduced bird
species nest near the shallow salt lakes in the island's interior, and Rottnest has
consequently been designated an Important Bird Area. The island has three native
tree species, notably the Rottnest Island pine, and was heavily forested before
settlement.

Both the airport and main ferry landing are located on the eastern side of Rottnest
Island.
Along with several other islands, Rottnest was separated from the mainland around
7000 years ago, when sea levels rose. Human artefacts have been found on the island
dating back at least 30000 years, and the island is called Wadjemup by the Noongar
people. Dutch sailors landed there on several occasions during the 17th century, by
which time it was uninhabited. The island was named by Willem de Vlamingh in 1696,
who called it 't Eylandt 't Rottenest ("Rats' Nest Island") after the quokka
population. Since the establishment of the Swan River Colony by British settlers in
1829, the island has variously hosted a penal colony, military installations, and
internment camps for enemy aliens. Many of the island's buildings date from the
colonial period, often made from locally quarried limestone, and are now used as
accommodation for holidays.