Rottnest Island Tours

Keep this Rottnest Island map handy before your visit

Just off Perth’s coast, Rottnest Island is a car-free paradise with many beaches, trails, lookouts, and wildlife. This map helps you get an overview of the island so that you know where to go when you visit the island on a day tour.

Rottnest Island map

Rottnest Island map highlighting snorkeling spots, beaches, and lookouts.

Download map

Visitor facilities

  • Visitor Centre: Located at the main jetty, the Rottnest Island Visitor Centre is your first stop for maps, tour bookings, attraction advice, lost property, and equipment transfers. Staff are available daily, with multilingual brochures on hand.
  • Dining: A variety of cafés, restaurants, and bars can be found in the main settlement and Geordie Bay. Popular spots include Dome Café, Frankie’s on Rotto, The Lane Café, and Geordie’s Café & Art Gallery. 
  • Shopping: The Rottnest General Store offers groceries, fresh produce, and picnic supplies daily. For souvenirs and essentials, browse Island Gypsy and boutique shops around Thomson Bay.
  • Essential services: There’s a nursing post near Thomson Bay that provides first aid and basic healthcare. ATMs are available at Hotel Rottnest and the main settlement. Emergency contacts for police, fire, and medical assistance are displayed island-wide.
  • Amenities: Public restrooms, baby-changing areas, and hot showers are located in Thomson Bay, Geordie Bay, and Kingstown Barracks. Water refill stations can be found at Army Jetty, Vlamingh Lookout, and Geordie Bay. 
  • Hire & rentals: Pedal & Flipper Hire near the main settlement provides bikes, e-bikes, snorkel sets, child seats, and beach gear. Additional rentals include wheelchairs, scooters, and sports equipment.
  • Connectivity: Free WiFi is available at Thomson Bay, Geordie Bay, and on major ferries. 
  • Additional services: Secure luggage storage and transfer facilities are available for day-trippers and overnight guests. Private boating visitors can access moorings, refueling, and maintenance services at designated harbors.

Must-see highlights

Rottnest Island lighthouse surrounded by trees under a clear blue sky.
Snorkelers exploring clear waters near Rottnest Island's coastline on a sunny day.
Tourists smiling with a quokka on Rottnest Island, bicycles and beach in background.
People enjoying the sun and sea at Pinky Beach, Rottnest Island.
Seals swimming near rocky coastline in clear blue waters of Kangaroo Island, Australia.
Coastal view of Rottnest Island, Australia, with clear blue water and sandy beach.
Rottnest Island coastal gun with ocean view in Fremantle, Australia.
Lookout with binoculars overlooking ocean at Rottnest Island.
1/8

Wadjemup Lighthouse

Climb to the top for panoramic island views.

The Basin

A natural swimming pool with calm turquoise waters and coral reefs, perfect for snorkelling beginners.

Quokkas near the Main Settlement

Meet the island’s famous, ever-smiling residents. You'll mostly find them around shady paths and picnic spots.

Pinky Beach

White sands, clear water, and the iconic Bathurst Lighthouse backdrop — perfect for a lazy beach day.

Cathedral Rocks (Fur Seal Colony)

Watch playful New Zealand fur seals basking on the rocks or diving through the waves.

Little Salmon Bay

A snorkeller’s paradise filled with colourful fish, coral gardens, and calm sheltered waters.

Oliver Hill Tunnels and Gun Emplacements

Explore World War II tunnels and massive coastal guns.

West End Lookout

The island’s western tip offers dramatic ocean views and great whale-watching during migration season.

Beaches and bays

Find your perfect stretch of sand or underwater adventure. This interactive map highlights Rottnest’s best beaches and bays for swimming, snorkeling, and diving.

View the map here. Switch between layers to see spots for your preferred activity.

Rottnest Island accommodation, dining, and supplies

Plan your stay and keep your trip hassle-free. This map shows all major accommodation options, dining spots, grocery stores, and equipment hire locations.

View the map here. Quickly locate hotels, units, campgrounds, restaurants, cafes, and shops.

Rottnest Island attractions

Step into Rottnest’s rich past and vibrant present. This map marks historical sites, museums, public art, memorials, and the island’s most breathtaking viewpoints.

View the map here. Filter by interest–history, culture, or viewpoints.

Wadjemup Bidi walking trails

Set your pace and explore the island’s natural beauty. Follow the Wadjemup Bidi and other walking trails, with trailheads, segments, and key highlights marked along the way.

Switch between layers on the above map to see your preferred route.

Get directions for each route:

  • Ngank Yira Bidi (Moderate, some steep/uneven sections. 9.5–10 km): WWII history: Bickley Battery, Oliver Hill; coastal & inland scenery; Jubilee Observation Point; birdlife; connects to Wardan Nara Bidi.
  • Wardan Nara Bidi (Moderate, beach & road walking, stairs. 9.5–10 km): Southern beaches: Parker Point, Little Salmon Bay, Salmon Bay; WWII tunnels at Oliver Hill; Wadjemup Lighthouse; Strickland Bay surf; Mammong sculpture; links to Ngank Wen & Gabbi Karniny Bidi.
  • Ngank Wen Bidi (Moderate, some steps, boardwalks, remote. 7.6–8.3 km loop): Wild western end: Rocky Bay, Marjorie Bay, Mabel Cove, Eagle Bay, Cathedral Rocks seal viewing, West End boardwalk (whale watching); rugged, remote, best for sunsets.
  • Karlinyah Bidi (Difficult, rough, steep, rock hopping. 5.9 km): Northern coastline: Little Armstrong Bay, Catherine Bay, City of York Bay (shipwreck site), grasslands, views of lakes and lighthouse, less-travelled beaches, picnic spots.
  • Gabbi Karniny Bidi (Moderate, some uneven limestone, steps. 9.5–10 km loop): Lake Baghdad, Lake Vincent, Vlamingh Lookout; boardwalks, wind turbine, Geordie Bay, The Basin, Pinky Beach, Bathurst Lighthouse; quokka sightings; best for variety and convenience.

The Wadjemup Bidi network’s well-marked, color-coded trails can be linked for extended hikes, weaving through Rottnest Island’s coastal, inland, historical, and wildlife highlights—plus bus stops at key points make your return trip effortless.

Rottnest biking trails

Ready to ride? Plan your cycling journey with mapped bike routes, suggested loops, and bike hire locations.

See route details and get navigation directions below:

  • Rotto Mini Loop (Easy, 4 km / 30–60 minutes): Ideal for families and casual riders. Loops from Thomson Bay past The Basin, Longreach Bay, Geordie Bay, Vlamingh Lookout, and salt lakes. Great for a quick scenic ride and beach stops.
  • Beaches, lakes, and lighthouse (Moderate, 10 km / 1.5–3 hrs): Showcases Rottnest’s signature scenery. Includes Parker Point, Little Salmon Bay, Salmon Bay, Wadjemup Lighthouse, salt lakes, and multiple beaches. For those wanting to explore both the coast and the inland.
  • Island tour (Hard, 22 km / 3–5 hrs): Full island loop for experienced cyclists. Takes in all major bays and beaches (Stark Bay, Ricey Beach, Little Armstrong Bay, Parakeet Bay, Geordie Bay), West End, Strickland Bay, Cathedral Rocks, salt lakes, and more. Expect hills and remote stretches–bring water and supplies.

The island’s sealed, car-free roads (aside from service vehicles) make it ideal for cycling—rent bikes from Pedal & Flipper or your ferry operator, factor in extra time for beach stops, photos, and breaks, and pick the leisurely Mini Loop for families or the more challenging Island Tour if you’re fit and confident.

Tips for using maps and exploring Rottnest Island

  • Use the interactive maps on this page to plan your route, find must-see spots, and locate services.
  • For real-time navigation on walking trails, download the free Avenza Maps app and get the Smartreka digital maps from WA Parks Foundation. These work offline and use your phone’s GPS to show your live location-even without mobile coverage.
  • Rottnest is car-free. The best ways to explore are by bike, on foot, or by using the Quokka Coaches bus service.
  • Cycling gives you the freedom to stop wherever you like, but be prepared for some hills and bring plenty of water, especially on hot days.
  • Helmets are mandatory for all cyclists, including e-bike and e-rideable users.
  • Walking is best for short distances or along the Wadjemup Bidi trails. The island is bigger than it looks, so plan your routes and don’t underestimate distances.
  • Stick to designated tracks and paths to protect fragile dunes and avoid unstable cliffs or overhangs.
  • Water refill stations are mainly in the Settlement, Geordie Bay, Army Jetty, Kingstown Barracks, The Basin, and Vlamingh Lookout.
  • The main Settlement has a general store, bakery, cafes, and basic shops. Supplies can be limited, and prices are higher than on the mainland, so consider bringing snacks, drinks, or essentials with you.
  • Download maps or save key locations for offline use before you arrive, as mobile coverage can be patchy outside the main settlement.

Frequently asked questions about Rottnest Island navigation

Where do I get help or more information on the island?

Visit the Rottnest Island Visitor Centre for printed maps, up-to-date advice, and local tips. Staff can help you plan your route, book tours, or answer any questions about accessibility and services.

Can I use the bus or shuttle to access trailheads or return from a walk or ride?

Yes. The Quokka Coaches bus service stops at or near most major trailheads and attractions, making it easy to start or finish your walk or bike ride wherever you like.

Are the trails and routes suitable for all fitness levels?

Trail difficulty varies–check each trail’s fact sheet or map for distance, grade, and terrain. There are options for casual walkers and cyclists, as well as more challenging routes for experienced adventurers.

Can I start navigation or save a full trail in Google Maps?

You can navigate to individual points, but Google Maps does not support full turn-by-turn navigation for custom trails. Use the map as a guide and navigate between key spots as needed.

How can I download trail maps for offline use?

Download GPS-enabled trail maps via the Avenza Maps app (search “Wadjemup Bidi” or “Rottnest Island”). PDF maps and fact sheets are also available on the Rottnest Island website and at the Visitor Centre.

What if I lose mobile reception?

Download maps and directions before you arrive. Avenza Maps works offline and shows your GPS location.