R is for Robben Island (off Cape Town in South Africa) and Rottnest Island (off Perth in Western Australia).

Both islands are similar in size and distance from the mainland, and prisons were built and used on both at some stage in their history. Robben Island is situated in the cold Atlantic Ocean whereas Rottnest Island has the benefit of the warmer Indian Ocean that makes it an ideal tourist and holiday destination.

No private vehicles are allowed on the island which makes walking and cycling the main forms of transport. A short 40 minute trip away from Perth by ferry, it feels worlds away though once you set foot on the island with its unique charm and character.

Bathurst Point Lighthouse

Jeannie’s Lookout

Parker Point

Rottnest Island

One of the seemingly innocuous little hills (towards Wadjemup lighthouse which was an important military spot in WW2)

West End, western most point on Rottnest Island

Beautiful and peaceful cycling roads (Mabel Cove and Marjorie Bay, Rottnest Island)

Salmon Bay, Rottnest Island

Thomson’s Bay (The Settlement), Rottnest Island

The Basin, Rottnest Island

View over Longreach Bay towards Perth

Sunset at Geordie Bay

Sunset at Geordie Bay

Rottnest Island taken from the west. The mainland can be seen in the background.

Thomsons Bay and the eastern tip of the island.

Taken at Cottesloe beach just after sunrise. The visibility was amazing with the island and one of the lighthouses clearly visible

Robben Island on the other hand, takes your breath away with its perfect view of Table Mountain and Cape Town. On a beautiful, clear Cape Town day nothing in the world beats that view. I wouldn’t be able to choose one above the other for natural beauty. Sadly I don’t have as many photos of Robben Island as I do of Rottnest Island, simply because I’ve only been there twice and didn’t spend as much time there as we do on Rottnest.

Table Mountain with Robben Island in the foreground

Southern tip of Robben Island

Table Mountain and Cape Town, taken from Robben Island