Wildlife Watching in Australia

Quokka — Where to See Them in WA

wildlifewatchingaustralia
5–7 minutes

The Quokka (Setonix brachyurus) is one of Australia’s most recognisable marsupials — and one of the world’s most photographed animals, thanks to its permanently smiling face. While most people know to head to Rottnest Island to see them, few realise that small populations also survive on the WA mainland, where they are far more cryptic and challenging to find.

About Quokka

Quokka are a medium-sized macropod — the same family as kangaroos and wallabies — roughly the size of a domestic cat. They have rounded ears, a short tail, coarse greyish-brown fur and that characteristic expression that has made them a social media sensation. Their Noongar name is Quak-a.

Quokka are listed as Vulnerable under Australian law. On Rottnest Island they number in the thousands and are doing well, but mainland populations are fragmented, under pressure from predation by feral cats and foxes, land clearing, fire and vehicle strike. Seeing a mainland Quokka is a genuine wildlife achievement.

Where to find Quokka in WA

Rottnest Island (Wadjemup) — the easy option

Rottnest Island is the go-to destination for Quokka and with good reason — the island population is estimated in the thousands and the animals are extremely tame around the main settlement. The island sits about 18km off Fremantle and is reachable by ferry from Fremantle, Hillarys or Perth City. Its name actually comes from Dutch explorers who mistook Quokka for giant rats in 1696 — Eyland’t Rottenest means “Rats’ Nest Island”.

Quokka are found all over the island but concentrate around the main settlement of Thomson Bay, particularly near the bakery and visitor areas where they have become habituated to people. They are active throughout the day and night. On a week-long family stay I found them effortless to watch — my young daughter quickly worked out they love green leaves and spent the whole trip finding them snacks (though feeding is not encouraged). Read more in my 2018 Rottnest trip report and my 2019 winter visit.

Two Peoples Bay — mainland Quokka near Albany

Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, about 35km east of Albany (and roughly 400km from Perth), holds what is probably the most reliably findable mainland Quokka population. The reserve is also home to the critically endangered Gilbert’s Potoroo — one of the world’s rarest mammals — though encounters with that species are extremely rare.

On a dusk visit with collaborator Look Closer, we located Quokka using a thermal camera in the scrub around the main carpark, then got close enough for photographs as the animal fed on the lawn in the fading light. They don’t approach people the way Rottnest animals do — a careful, quiet approach is needed. Read the full account in my Two Peoples Bay blog post.

Stirling Range — Bluff Knoll area

Small populations are recorded in the Stirling Ranges, with Bluff Knoll cited as a location. These animals are in thick vegetation and very hard to find — this is a case of being in the right place at the right time rather than a reliable spot.

Perth Hills — Jarrahdale and Canning Dam

There are records of Quokka in the Jarrahdale and Canning Dam areas of the Perth Hills, within the northern edge of their mainland range. I have searched both locations without success — they are elusive here and the population is under pressure. That said, the habitat looks right and people have found them. My searches are documented in my Jarrahdale post and Canning Dam post — useful for knowing where and how to look even if results aren’t guaranteed.

Tips for seeing Quokka

  • Rottnest: just turn up — they’ll find you near the main settlement. Any time of day works, but they’re most active at dawn and dusk.
  • Mainland: visit at dusk and be patient. Focus on edges of clearings, lawns, and vegetation near water sources.
  • Thermal camera: on the mainland a thermal imager is a huge help for detecting animals in dense scrub before you can see them with the naked eye.
  • Don’t feed them: especially on Rottnest, where tourist feeding has led to poor animal condition. Watching them forage naturally is more rewarding.
  • Don’t take a selfie that stresses the animal: the “Quokka selfie” is famous but getting too close causes stress. Let the animal approach you rather than chasing it.
  • Red-light torch: for mainland nocturnal searching, a red-light torch is less disruptive than white light.

All Quokka posts on this site

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the best place to see Quokka?

Rottnest Island is by far the easiest place — the animals are everywhere in the main settlement and completely habituated to people. For a more wild experience, Two Peoples Bay near Albany is the most reliable mainland location.

Do Quokka only live on Rottnest Island?

No — this is a common misconception. Small populations persist across the southwest of WA from the Perth Hills down through to east of Albany, including Two Peoples Bay and the Stirling Range. They’re just much harder to find on the mainland than on Rottnest.

Are Quokka endangered?

Quokka are listed as Vulnerable under Australian law. The Rottnest Island population is large and stable, but mainland populations are declining due to predation by feral cats and foxes, habitat loss and vehicle strike.

Can you take a Quokka selfie?

The famous Quokka selfie is very doable on Rottnest — the animals often approach people out of curiosity. The key is to let them come to you rather than chasing or grabbing them. Touching or handling Quokka is illegal and can result in a significant fine.

Is it safe to feed Quokka?

No — feeding Quokka is discouraged and can cause real harm. On Rottnest, years of tourist feeding have led to animals with poor diets and health issues. It is also illegal to feed wildlife on the island. Let them forage naturally.

What is the difference between a Quokka and a wallaby?

Quokka are actually a small wallaby — they belong to the same macropod family. Compared to most wallabies, Quokka are smaller and stockier with a shorter, thicker tail, rounder face and that distinctive smile. They also lack the bold facial markings seen on species like the Tammar Wallaby.

How do I get to Rottnest Island?

Ferries run daily from Fremantle (about 30 minutes), Hillarys Boat Harbour (about 45 minutes) and Barrack Street Jetty in the Perth CBD (about 90 minutes). Multiple operators run services and day trips are available, though staying overnight gives a much richer experience.

Page last updated May 2025. Have a mainland Quokka sighting to share? Leave a comment on any post — always keen to hear about new locations.