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Rottnest Island Tours

Top things to do on Rottnest Island

Rottnest Island, or Wadjemup, is a car-free island just off the coast of Perth, known for its white-sand beaches, turquoise bays, quokkas and coastal scenery. Whether you're visiting for a few hours or spending a couple of days, there’s plenty to do beyond simply relaxing on the beach.

Go cycling between secluded bays, snorkel above colourful reefs, meet quokkas in the wild, walk through historic sites, hike along coastal trails or simply find a quiet lookout for an ocean view. With more than 60 beaches and 20 bays, you can easily build your day around the activities you enjoy most.

Things to do at a glance

ActivityBest forWhere to go

Quokka spotting

Wildlife lovers & first-time visitors

Thomson Bay, settlement & shaded areas

Swimming

Families & relaxed beach days

The Basin, Pinky Beach, Geordie Bay

Snorkelling

Marine life & beginners

The Basin, Parker Point, Little Salmon Bay

Cycling

Active explorers

Island-wide cycling network

Hiking

Walkers & nature lovers

Wadjemup Bidi

History

Culture & heritage

Wadjemup Lighthouse, Oliver Hill

Scenic views

Photographers & sightseers

West End, Wadjemup Lighthouse, Vlamingh Lookout

Adventure

Thrill seekers

Skydiving, surfing, diving & water activities

Wildlife watching

Nature lovers

West End, beaches & coastal areas

Meet Rottnest Island's famous quokkas

No visit to Rottnest is complete without looking for a quokka. These small marsupials are native to the region and are one of the island's biggest attractions.

You’ll often find them around Thomson Bay, the main settlement and shady areas, particularly during the cooler parts of the day. Early morning and late afternoon can be good times to look for them.

Remember to observe quokkas without touching, feeding or giving them water. Give them space to move naturally and use a zoom lens rather than getting too close.

Best ways to experience Rottnest wildlife

  • Look for quokkas around the settlement
  • Watch for native birds and marine life along the coast
  • Head to West End for dramatic coastal scenery and wildlife
  • Look out for fur seals around Cathedral Rocks
  • Visit during whale migration season for the chance to see whales offshore

Swim and relax at Rottnest Island's beaches

With more than 60 beaches and 20 bays, choosing where to swim can be half the fun. The island has everything from sheltered swimming spots close to the settlement to quieter beaches along the coast.

The Basin

One of Rottnest's most famous swimming and snorkelling spots, The Basin is close to the main settlement and protected by reef, creating relatively calm, clear water.

Best for: Swimming, families and beginner snorkellers.

Pinky Beach

Located close to the settlement, Pinky Beach combines soft sand, clear water and views towards Bathurst Lighthouse.

Best for: Swimming, sunset and an easy beach stop.

Geordie Bay

One of the island's larger beaches, Geordie Bay has plenty of space to relax and offers good swimming and snorkelling conditions.

Best for: Longer beach stops and families.

Little Armstrong Bay

A sheltered spot with clear water and marine life, making it particularly appealing for snorkelling.

Best for: Snorkelling and swimming.

Parker Point

Located on the island's southern coast, Parker Point combines beach scenery with excellent snorkelling opportunities.

Best for: Snorkelling, swimming and coastal views.

Go snorkelling, swimming and explore the water

Rottnest's clear coastal waters make water activities one of the island's biggest draws. You can bring your own equipment, hire snorkelling gear or choose an experience that includes equipment and ferry transfers.

The Basin

Easy to reach from the settlement and known for calm, clear water.

Little Salmon Bay

A sheltered spot with a snorkel trail and underwater information panels.

Parker Point

A popular snorkelling location with a self-guided underwater trail.

Little Armstrong Bay

A protected cove with clear water and marine life.

Henrietta Rocks

A good option for more adventurous snorkellers, with marine life and the wreck of The Shark nearby.

Cycle around Rottnest Island

Cycling is one of the best ways to explore Rottnest because private cars aren't permitted on the island. It gives you the flexibility to move between beaches, viewpoints, salt lakes and landmarks at your own pace.

You don't need to cycle the entire island. Choose a route based on how much time and energy you have.

Short ride: Rotto Mini Loop

  • Distance: 4 km
  • Time: Around 30 minutes

A relatively easy option covering The Basin, Longreach Bay, Geordie Bay, salt lakes and Vlamingh Lookout.

Medium ride: Beaches, Lighthouses & Lakes

  • Distance: 10 km
  • Time: Around 1.5–3 hours

Ride past Henrietta Rocks, Porpoise Bay, Parker Point and Little Salmon Bay before heading towards Wadjemup Lighthouse and the salt lakes.

Full island ride

  • Distance: Around 22 km
  • Time: Around 3–5 hours

For confident cyclists, this route takes in West End, Cathedral Rocks, Cape Vlamingh, Geordie Bay, Longreach Bay, Stark Bay and Parakeet Bay.

Explore Rottnest Island's history and heritage

Rottnest isn't just about beaches. Wadjemup has a complex and significant history, with Aboriginal heritage, maritime history and military sites spread across the island.

Wadjemup Lighthouse

Standing on Wadjemup Hill, the lighthouse is one of Rottnest's most recognisable landmarks. You can take in views from the surrounding area or join a guided tour for a closer look.

Oliver Hill Battery

Explore one of the island's major military heritage sites, including its large coastal guns and underground tunnels. The battery dates to the 1930s and played a role in the defence of Fremantle during wartime.

Wadjemup Museum

Visit the museum in the settlement to learn more about the island's natural, cultural and social history.

Kingstown Barracks & Bickley Battery

These sites form part of Rottnest's military history and can be explored along the island's walking and cycling routes.

Take on an adventure

Tandem skydive over Rottnest Island, Perth, with aerial view of coastline and ocean.

Skydive over Rottnest

See the island from above with a tandem skydive, including views of the coastline and surrounding Indian Ocean.

Surfer riding a large wave in Tahiti, French Polynesia, with photographers in the water.
Snorkelers exploring clear waters near Rottnest Island's coastline on a sunny day.
Woman paddleboarding on clear ocean water under a bright blue sky.
Woman enjoying ocean view from Rottnest Island lookout.

Best beaches and bays on Rottnest Island

Beach or bayBest for

The Basin

Swimming & beginner snorkelling

Pinky Beach

Swimming, sunset & easy access

Little Armstrong Bay

Snorkelling & sheltered water

Parker Point

Snorkelling & coastal views

Little Salmon Bay

Swimming & snorkelling

Geordie Bay

Swimming, relaxing & sunset

Henrietta Rocks

Snorkelling & marine life

Salmon Bay

Swimming, snorkelling & coastal walks

West End

Dramatic coastline & wildlife

Scenic spots and lookouts

Wadjemup Lighthouse view of Rottnest Island landscape and coastline.

Wadjemup Lighthouse

Climb Wadjemup Hill for expansive views across the island and surrounding ocean.

Lookout view of rocky coastline and ocean at Cape Vlamingh, Rottnest Island.
Lookout with binoculars overlooking ocean at Rottnest Island.
Boat anchored in turquoise waters of Fish Hook Bay, Rottnest Island, Australia, surrounded by rocky cliffs.
Red train on Oliver Hill Railway, Rottnest Island, Australia, with coastal landscape in background.

Things to do on Rottnest Island in 6 hours

If you only have a few hours, stay close to the main settlement rather than trying to cover the entire island.

Arrive at Thomson Bay

Start with a quick walk around the settlement and look for quokkas.

Cycle to The Basin

Swim or snorkel before the beach gets busy.

Continue to Pinky Beach

Take a break and enjoy views towards Bathurst Lighthouse.

Ride towards Wadjemup Lighthouse

Stop for photographs and panoramic views.

Return towards the settlement

Allow time to return your bike and reach the ferry terminal before departure.

Things to do on Rottnest Island in 1 day

A full day gives you enough time to combine the island's major highlights.

Morning

  • Take an early ferry from Perth or Fremantle
  • Collect a bike or join a guided island tour
  • Spot quokkas around Thomson Bay
  • Cycle towards Parker Point
  • Swim or snorkel

Afternoon

  • Continue towards Little Salmon Bay
  • Visit Wadjemup Lighthouse
  • Stop at The Basin or Pinky Beach
  • Explore more of the island's beaches and viewpoints

Before leaving

  • Return towards Thomson Bay
  • Allow enough time for bike return and ferry check-in
  • Take a final walk around the settlement

For visitors who don't want to cycle, a guided bus tour can cover major island sights while leaving some time for independent exploration. Current bookable day trips offer combinations of ferry transport, guided bus tours and optional bike hire.

Things to do on Rottnest Island in 2 days

Two days allow you to slow down and explore areas that are difficult to fit into a single day.

Day 1: Beaches, quokkas & cycling

  • Quokka spotting
  • The Basin
  • Pinky Beach
  • Parker Point
  • Little Salmon Bay
  • Wadjemup Lighthouse
  • Sunset at Geordie Bay

Day 2: Nature, history & adventure

  • Explore part of the Wadjemup Bidi
  • Visit Oliver Hill Battery
  • Explore the salt lakes
  • Head towards West End
  • Visit Cathedral Rocks
  • Add a snorkelling, diving or adventure experience

A two-day visit also gives you more flexibility around weather and wind conditions, which can make a difference to swimming and snorkelling plans.

Frequently asked questions about things to do in Rottnest Island

Try skydiving over the island if you’re up for an adrenaline rush and don’t mind a little splurge. Explore the historic Oliver Hill tunnels, or cycle to the West End to see New Zealand fur seals basking on the rocks. You can also join a cultural walking tour to learn about the island’s Aboriginal heritage and stories connected to Wadjemup (Rottnest’s traditional name).