Rottnest Fortress Adventure: A Segway Package Review

Rottnest Island, often called “Rotto” by locals, is just off the coast of Western Australia, a place everybody seems to love, very popular for its stunning beaches and, too it’s almost car-free vibe, making it perfect to explore. What’s really quite an experience is seeing the island on a Segway, especially with the Rottnest Fortress Adventure package. We took this tour not too long ago, and I’m happy to share some insights so you can decide if it’s for you.

What Exactly is the Rottnest Fortress Adventure Segway Package?

The Rottnest Fortress Adventure Segway Package basically includes a guided Segway tour, that focuses on the historical defense structures around the Oliver Hill Battery. This area, so it seems, used to be part of Australia’s defense system during World War II. On a Segway, is that right, you get to zip around and hear about the history, arguably enjoying some amazing coastal views. Usually, the package comes with a Segway training session, rental of the Segway of course, plus a helmet and, in fact, commentary from the tour guide. Typically, this is something that lasts for around 1.5 to 2 hours, arguably a pretty good way to see a lot without having to walk everywhere.

Our First Impressions and Training

So, upon arrival, we were greeted by our tour guide, arguably a friendly and knowledgeable person. First up was a training session. If you’ve never ridden a Segway before, the learning curve may be a bit steeper than what you expect, just a little, yet it’s certainly manageable. The guides go through the basics: how to lean forward to go, lean back to stop, and steer. A few practice runs in a safe area helped everyone in our group feel at ease, right. I must admit, there was that initial wobble as you sort of get used to the balancing act, as a matter of fact, it becomes second nature, almost like your legs are just gliding.

Exploring the Oliver Hill Battery

The highlight of the tour is, that it focused on the Oliver Hill Battery, you know, and surrounding areas. Cruising along on the Segway, which felt oddly futuristic against the backdrop of these historic structures, you know, we learned about the battery’s role in defending Fremantle and the region from potential attacks. As I was saying, The guide explained the significance of the large guns, their capabilities, and, too it’s almost how the whole defense system worked, if you can believe it. One cool thing is, that you actually get to go inside the gun emplacements and tunnels, giving you more or less a tangible sense of history, I think. It’s not just seeing it from the outside, but instead, imagining what it must’ve been like when it was operational. I think this element brought things alive, so to speak.

Coastal Views and Quokka Sightings

Rottnest is popular for its stunning coastal views. Zipping along the paths, there are fantastic views of the ocean, that’s very blue against the island’s landscapes, which are unique, to say the least. Don’t forget to look out for Quokkas. You can spot these little guys all over the island, so, including near the Oliver Hill area. Although, you’re supposed to maintain a respectful distance, you know, it’s hard to not get excited when you see one of these cuties waddling by. Seeing quokkas, as a matter of fact, made the tour much better, a lot more fun and certainly added to the “Rotto” experience.

What We Enjoyed Most

So, for me, the ease of covering a significant amount of ground was quite something. Walking around in the sun all day, I think, would be tiring, just a little, however, the Segway was really like a fun way to get around and, so to speak, see more in less time. I did enjoy learning about the island’s military history. As a matter of fact, the Oliver Hill Battery has stories, arguably significant ones, so this brought that to life for me, pretty much. The tour guides made sure, that things remained pretty relaxed, while offering fun facts and quirky trivia along the way. Lastly, I feel the views were just top-notch. Usually, you will want to soak everything in, when the sun’s shining and the ocean’s sparkling. I think I really took some special photos.

Potential Downsides to Consider

While the Segway tour seemed awesome, that, if you’ve got mobility issues, riding a Segway maybe isn’t your best bet. Balancing and standing for a sustained period could be difficult, too. The cost, maybe, is just something to consider as it’s arguably more expensive compared to exploring the island on foot or by bike, though not that different, arguably. Depending on the time of year, it’s still quite common for the weather to be challenging. A scorching day could make being out in the open taxing, if I remember correctly. I’m going to also point out, that during peak season, is that right, Rottnest could be crowded, possibly reducing the sense of isolation, which you sometimes crave.

Tips for Booking and Taking the Tour

Advance bookings are definitely suggested, you know, especially if you’re visiting during peak times. Check the weather, you know, so you will want to plan, and dress in layers, possibly bring sunscreen and a hat. Often wear comfortable shoes – you’ll be standing for a while. As a matter of fact, listen to your guide during the training session, usually their instructions are important for your safety and enjoyment. Take a small backpack, you know, just for water, maybe snacks, and, as I was saying, a camera, clearly something everyone wants to bring. Also, arguably don’t forget to respect the Quokkas, keeping a fair distance and, pretty much never feeding them.