The best things to do on Rottnest Island

Trust us, you’ve never seen anything quite like the sugar-white sand and turquoise waters on Rottnest. The island is home to more than 60 breathtaking beaches and 20 beautiful bays, so you could easily spend a few days here exploring the coastline. If you’re on a day trip and don’t mind a day of cycling, head south of the Thomson Bay Settlement to Little Salmon Bay, stopping at Henrietta Rocks and Parker Point along the way. If you’re willing to cycle further (or you’re on the shuttle bus), curve around west from here to Mary Cove, a popular snorkel spot, and onward to Fish Hook Bay, the island’s most westerly point. From there, you can complete a full loop around the island by cycling north.

Another day trip option is to cycle north of the Settlement to Pinky Beach, before continuing to The Basin, Longreach Bay, Fay’s Bay, Geordie Bay and Little Armstrong Bay. Remember to pack a snorkel and plenty of water – there are not many places to refill your water bottle outside of the Settlement.

You’ll see these adorable smiling marsupials all across the island. There's a reason they are dubbed the happiest animals in the world, and their smiling faces and friendly nature attract plenty of eager visitors to the island. Many quokkas hang out in the island’s small township, the Thomson Bay Settlement, located just a two-minute walk from the ferry terminal. If you sit alfresco at a café or hang around outside the bakery, you’re sure to spot a wandering quokka. Just remember, you’re not allowed to touch or feed them, but they’re more than happy to have their photos taken (just approach with caution when leaning in for a selfie).

For coffee and a bite to eat as you step off the ferry, walk to the island’s main hub (known as the Thomson Bay Settlement) and head to The Lane. The crew are super lovely and can make a mean cup of coffee. They also offer wraps, smoothies, acai bowls, salads and sweet treats to fuel you up for the day ahead. Just remember to BYO reusable coffee cup, as it’s takeaway only. Next door to The Lane is Frankie’s on Rotto, a casual eatery serving up sourdough pizzas from brunch through to dinner. If you have a hankering for carbs and coffee later in the day (after cycling around the island all day, you probably will!), hit up Frankie’s pop-up coffee vans, located at the Wadjemup Lighthouse (Kalli’s on Rotto) and the newly renovated West End (Lexi’s on Rotto). End your trip to Rotto by picking up an old-school jam doughnut from the Rottnest Bakery. 

There’s a whole magical underwater world awaiting both experienced and novice snorkellers at Rotto. Thanks to the Leeuwin Current streaming down from Indonesia, the water temperatures around the island are approximately four degrees warmer than Perth's coast. This creates the perfect conditions for tropical coral to flourish in every colour of the rainbow. The inviting shallows of Salmon Bay and Parker Point are popular for beginner snorkellers on the south side, while Little Parakeet is a calm spot for younger kids. More experienced snorkellers can explore the limestone caves and seagrass meadows around Geordie Bay and Fay’s Bay, where bigger fish, stingrays, octopuses, turtles and even dolphins are sometimes spotted.

Rottnest Island (Wadjemup) has been a significant place for the Whadjuk Noongar people since before the last ice age. However, the island has a notorious past, serving as a prison for Aboriginal people between 1838 and 1904 and a forced labour camp until 1931. You can learn more about the island’s complex history on a one- or two-hour Go Cultural Aboriginal walking tour. Led by local Noongar guide and Traditional Owner Walter McGuire, you’ll partake in a traditional Aboriginal sand ceremony and then explore the island’s history through Nyitting (Dreamtime) stories, traditional songs and Noongar Language. 

When it’s cocktail o'clock, head over to the charming Isola Bar e Cibo, a classic Italian beachside bar that could easily be mistaken for a spot along the Amalfi Coast. Yet, it's right here on Thomson Bay, just a stone's throw from the ferry terminal. Start with a round of cocktails, like the Limoncello Spritz or Watermelon Mule, then fill your bellies with antipasti, pasta and fresh seafood. Also perched on the water’s edge of Thomson Bay is Southeast Asian fusion restaurant Lontara. Watch the sun go down with a refreshing Lontana Spritz or Pineapple Margarita, then settle in for dinner. The menu has flavours hailing from Indonesia, Malaysia, China, Vietnam and more, sprinkled with local seafood, including Shark Bay prawn skewers cooked over a robata grill and served with warrigal greens, and Margaret River chicken dumplings with chilli oil. 

From bougie to more budget-friendly, there are many ways to experience the sparkling seas surrounding Rottnest. If you’re living it up on island time, you might fancy Rottnest Cruises’ Luxe Island Seafood Cruise. Running between November and March, this four-hour voyage features a seven-course progressive lunch, including western rock lobster freshly caught on the day. Bevvies are included, and you can sip on premium Margaret River wines while basking on the decks of the 21-metre pleasure boat. 

Another way to see the island is on a 90-minute Adventure Boat Tour, spotting wildlife, hidden beaches and whales (between November and April). If you’re more of an adrenaline junkie, consider a Thrill Boat Ride and feel the air whip through your hair as you speed around the island.

Standing tall and proud at an impressive 38-metres, Wadjemup Lighthouse is the unofficial poster child for Rottnest Island. You’ve seen it in all the glossy travel magazines, but you can see it in real life too – or even climb the spiralling staircase on a guided tour. Once you reach the summit of the lighthouse – the fourth tallest in Australia – you can take in spectacular 360-degree views of the Indian Ocean and beyond. Look out for quokkas hiding in the trees as you walk or ride along the path leading up to the lighthouse. 

For relaxed but high-quality pub meals, Hotel Rottnest and Pinky’s Beach Club are the island’s top spots. The hotel offers seaside favourites, such as fish and chips, pizza, steaks and burgers, along with smaller bites to accompany your drinks. It’s a bustling spot, with regular DJs and live music, Wednesday quiz nights, plenty of outdoor seating and sweeping views of Thompson Bay. Pinky’s isn’t in the main settlement, but rather on the shores of Pinky Beach, home of the photogenic Bathurst Lighthouse and about a ten-minute walk from the ferry. It lies within Discovery, an eco-resort, but everyone is welcome to dine there. Pinky’s menu ranges from crispy calamari and blue swimmer crab cakes to crispy pork belly and steak sandwiches. 

When you need a break from the sun and sand, heat to Rottnest Island Movies and Mini Golf. This place offers everything your inner child craves, including an 18-hole mini golf course, an old-school arcade and a deckchair cinema screening the latest releases. Movie tickets are sold at the door and yes, there is a candy bar with buttery popcorn and homemade choc bombs. 

Trust us, once you're on Rottnest Island, you'll find it hard to leave – so you might as well book to stay at least a night or two. The island offers a variety of accommodation options to suit every traveller, ranging from the glamping eco tents at Discovery Rottnest Island to the luxe boho resorts at Samphire Rottnest, complete with two swimming pools, 

For something chill and charming, it’s hard to go past the quaint yellow, beachside cottages at Geordie Bay. These self-contained houses are reminiscent of the Mediterranean, each boasting a beautiful balcony overlooking the panoramic, postcard-perfect bay. Similar beachside accommodation is also available at Thomson Bay, Bathurst, Longreach Bay, Fay's Bay and Kingston, along with campgrounds if you’d rather set up a tent or a swag for the night. When you book the campsite, your luggage even gets delivered straight to your site, which is handy when you’re on a bike.