This family-oriented stay integrates with Rottnest Island’s landscape and heritage, offering a laidback vibe with year-round appeal.
As the ferry speeds toward Rottnest Island, a pang of nostalgia hits me. I haven’t been here since I was a child, when my family spent sun-soaked days splashing in the crystal-clear waters, licking ice creams, and eagerly spotting quokkas. This time, I’m here for a different reason: to stay at the much-talked-about The Lodge Wadjemup. And I couldn’t have been more excited.
Now that the entire resort is officially open, after a phased rollout, here’s what you can expect.
Where is The Lodge Wadjemup?
The resort sits next to one of the island’s lakes.
The Lodge Wadjemup sits beautifully on the western end of Rottnest Island (Wadjemup), the traditional land of the Whadjuk Noongar people. The island is one of Australia’s most striking destinations, with impossibly clear waters and white sand beaches – I’d argue they are some of the best in the world. The main ferry terminal is just a few minutes’ walk away, along with the island’s restaurants, cafes and beaches. There are no beach views from the resort, but there are lovely lake views.
The best way to explore Rottnest Island is by bike, and Rottnest Island Pedal & Flipper Hire – just a couple of minutes’ walk away – is the go-to place to pick up your wheels, whether you prefer electric or traditional bikes (make sure to get a basket attachment to carry your belongings). Some of my favourite beaches and bays I cycled to were Salmon Bay, Shark Bay Beach and Lovers Cove. It’s also worth going the extra mile to Cathedral Rocks where you can view the resident long-nosed fur seal colony from the viewing platform.
The island is filled with thousands of resident quokkas, and visitors will be pleased to find there are plenty of them hopping around the resort who will happily let you take a selfie if you are gentle and respectful of their space.
What is the style and character of The Lodge Wadjemup?
The building's exterior is light and bright.
The design blends old and new. (Image: Shot by Thom)
On an island with as much significance as Rottnest, design decisions shouldn’t be made lightly, so it’s pleasing to see the resort respects the island’s history and rugged coastline. The development was guided by Cultural Heritage consultant David Collard (Wardong) and Nyungar elders, who helped establish a cultural heritage framework.
Comprised of multiple buildings, including a 143-year-old heritage structure and a sleek, contemporary structure, The Lodge Wadjemup seamlessly blends old and new and is considered a low-impact development.
Designer Anna Fogarty and interior designer Lauren Tarrant of Laurent Tarrant Design sensitively took cues from the island to inform the resort’s interior design, styling and branding. The overarching aesthetic is breezy, coastal chic with Wadjemup’s native flora, limestone cliffs and salt lakes reflected in the colours, materials and finishes.
The contemporary wing of the hotel features a sleeker design.
Cork, light timber joinery and natural stone are complemented by soft greens, coral pinks, sand and bleached blues, creating a calm, beach‑inspired atmosphere that welcomes sandy feet. Furniture from high-end brands such as MCM House and tiling and stone from Surface Gallery bring an elevated feel, while artworks by First Nations artists add depth and cultural meaning.
Climate-responsive architecture was at the forefront, executed through large bi-fold doors and open layouts that maximise natural ventilation, and a two-level building height maximum to preserve the island’s sightlines.
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AI Prompt
What are the rooms like at The Lodge Wadjemup?
A Poolhouse Room with lake views. (Image: Shot by Thom)
Some of the Poolhouse Rooms feature freestanding baths. (Image: Shot by Thom)
Poolside rooms offer direct access. (Image: Shot by Thom)
Neutral tones prevail, creating a calm atmosphere.
Lake Rooms afford peaceful views.
Courtyard Rooms feature stylish bathroom.
The Lodge Wadjemup offers a variety of room styles to suit all types of guests, whether you’re a young family needing extra room or a couple looking for peace and quiet. There are three distinct sections to the property’s accommodation offerings: Courtyard, Lakeside and Poolside. The 31 Courtyard rooms are fully equipped and situated within a refurbished 143-year-old heritage building. The 32 Lakeside rooms are contemporary and offer stunning lakeside views, while the 46 Poolside rooms are part of a brand-new build.
My room is located in the new Poolside wing and boasts a lovely view of the pool. The light-filled space is relaxed and neutral-toned, fitted with a minibar (Nespresso machine included) and a balcony with seating – I spent a significant amount of time here wrapped in the room’s blue linen dressing gown. Many of the poolside rooms come with baths and can be interconnected, making them perfect for families or groups.
What facilities does The Lodge Wadjemup have?
Indulge in poolside snacks from the onsite restaurant. (Image: Shot by Thom)
Spend your days relaxing poolside. (Image: Shot by Thom)
Enjoy refreshing dips. (Image: Shot by Thom)
While it’s tempting to spend every moment on Rottnest’s white-sand beaches and in its turquoise waters, The Lodge Wadjemup is equally well equipped for guests who choose to stay put, and I enjoyed just relaxing at the resort. The heated swimming pool exudes beach club vibes with orange and cream striped sun loungers and parasols.
Chef Mat Powell (Il Lido Cottesloe, George Calombaris Group Melbourne) oversees the onsite dining, including the relaxed Pelican Deli – part coffee spot, part soft serve kiosk – and Sunsets Bar & Restaurant. The latter serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with the late afternoon and early evening offering sparkling views as the sun sets over the island.
I recommend grabbing a few spritzes and relaxing in the large outdoor area before heading inside to enjoy a Mediterranean-inspired feast – Albany rock oysters, burrata with peach and basil, linguine with Shark Bay crab, and, of course, a decadent banana split with soft serve, cherries, candied nuts, and caramel. The menu caters for fussy little ones, and there’s live music every Saturday and Sunday from midday to 6pm.
Enjoy relaxed bites in the Sunsets courtyard.
Sunsets Bar & Restaurant serves Mediterranean-inspired fare. (Image: Shot by Thom)
A central courtyard with relaxed seating acts as a communal outdoor space for guests staying in the Courtyard Room wing.
A special area of The Lodge Wadjemup is the Gathering Ground, a dedicated space for events and ceremonies that acknowledges the significant cultural history of Rottnest. Here, you will find artworks created by Aboriginal artists Kaedisha Westberg, Tjyllyungoo, Lance Chadd, Nigel Chadd and Trish Robinson, evocative of the island’s natural beauty, wildlife and Nyungar stories.
Reception is stocked with items travellers may have left at home, such as sunscreen, towels, USB cords, international adaptors and natural deodorant, as well as cute souvenirs to take home.
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Does The Lodge Wadjemup have access for guests with disabilities?
The aptly named Sunsets Bar & Restaurant offers breathtaking views of the sunset.
Rottnest Island is considered an accessibility-friendly island, and The Lodge Wadjemup has accessible poolside rooms available. Note that ferries from Perth CBD are not accessibility friendly, but certain voyages from the terminal at North Fremantle are (approximately 40 minutes’ drive from Perth Airport).
Is The Lodge Wadjemup family-friendly?
The Lodge Wadjemup is, at its core, designed for families, and during my stay, I can’t help but reflect on how ideal it would have been for my own family if it had been open during our visits.
Details
Best for: Families
Address: Boreham Wy, Rottnest Island WA 6161
Price per night: From $359
Rachael Thompson is Australian Traveller's Evergreen Editor and a self-proclaimed cheese and Chablis connoisseur. In her role, she creates and manages online content that remains relevant and valuable over time. With a background in publishing and e-commerce in both interior design and travel, Rachael is dedicated to curating engaging content that informs and inspires. She began her career at Belle magazine, then went on to become Senior Content Producer at Homes to Love focusing on Australian House & Garden and Belle, followed by Editor at Bed Threads. Her work has also appeared in Qantas Travel Insider. When she's not writing, editing, or optimising content, Rachael enjoys exploring the city's newest restaurants, bars, and hotels. Next on her Aussie travel wish list are Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park and Lord Howe Island.
Time your visit to Margaret River just right, and you can spend the ultimate weekend wining, dining and exploring the region with Pair’d Margaret River Region x Range Rover.
Wine, world-class produce, surf, sun and beaches: it’s an alluring combination. And the reason so many pin the Margaret River region high on their travel hit-lists. There’s drawcard after drawcard to the southwestern corner of Western Australia, and the Pair’d Margaret River Region x Range Rover food and wine festival showcases the best of it over the course of one weekend in November. It’s never been easier to sip, see and savour the Margaret River region.
In partnership with Pair’d Margaret River Region, Range Rover invites you on a seven-day itinerary of refined adventure, where luxury and exploration go hand in hand. It’s the perfect WA road trip, and there’s no better way to do it than in a Range Rover.
Day 1
Check into Pullman Bunker Bay.
There’s no more popular West Australian road trip route than that between Perth and the Margaret River Region. It’s an easily digestible, three-hour drive, with worthy pit stops along the way.
Make the first of them one hour and 15 minutes in, at Lake Clifton. Here, find a 2000-year-old living thrombolite reef. Drive for a further 40 minutes and chance meeting some of Bunbury’s dolphin population at Koombana Bay.
Pullman Bunker Bay is the final stop, just over three hours south of Perth. This beachfront, five-star resort is the ultimate base for exploring the Margaret River Wine region.
Day 2
After a leisurely morning breakfast with an ocean view, start your Range Rover and head towards the Dunsborough town centre. Browsing the decidedly coastal-themed goods of the town’s many independent boutiques is a great way to while away the hours, breaking up the sartorial with an artisan gelato snack stop, or some good old-fashioned Australian bakery fare.
Leave room; you’ll need it for the Good Natured Gathering dinner at Wayfinder. Indulge in a four-course feast by chef Felipe Montiel, which uses produce from the winery’s market garden to enhance a selection of sustainably sourced seafood and meat. But food is just the support act. It’s organic wine that’s the star of the show, generously poured and expertly paired to each dish.
Day 3
Settle in for cabernet at Cape Mentelle Winery.
With a grand total of 20 wines from vintage 2022 to try, it’s a good thing Cape Mentelle’s International Cabernet Tasting kicks off early. Make your way to the estate for a 10:00 AM start, where a global selection of wines will be poured blind, before a long lunch by Tiller Dining is served.
Given that the Margaret River is responsible for more than 20 per cent of Australia’s fine wine production, it’s only right to delve into it while in the area.
Continue exploring the region via taste and terroir aboard Alison Maree, a whale-watching catamaran, as you cruise Geographe Bay. Admire the rolling green hills and crisp white beaches of Quindalup in sunset’s golden light, all the while sipping through the Clairault Streicker catalogue and dining on canapes.
For a more substantial dinner, venture into Busselton for a seven-course British x Australian mash-up, courtesy of Brendan Pratt (Busselton Pavilion) and Oliver Kent (Updown Farmhouse, UK). They’ll be putting their rustic yet refined spin on the likes of local marron, wagyu and abalone – championing the simple beauty of the world-class ingredients.
Day 4
Elevate your dining experiences at Pair’d X Range Rover Beach Club.
Wrap your fingers around a wine glass and wiggle your toes into the sand at Pair’d Beach Club x Range Rover on Meelup Beach. Sit down to an intimate wine session with sommelier Cyndal Petty – or a four-course feast by Aaron Carr of Yarri – and revel in the open-air beach club, bar and restaurant’s laidback coastal vibe. It’s a whole new way to experience one of the region’s most renowned beaches.
Follow up a day in the sun with a casual Italian party at Mr Barvel Wines. Purchase wines –including the elusive, sold-out Nebbia – by the glass and enjoy canapes with the towering Karri forest as a backdrop.
If you’d prefer to keep it local, head to Skigh Wines for the New Wave Gathering, where the region’s independent wine makers and their boundary-pushing wines will be on show. Street-style eats, a DJ and complimentary wine masterclasses complete the experience.
Day 5
Taste your way through Howard Park Wines. (Image: C J Maddock)
Spend the morning at your leisure, driving the winding roads through the Boranup Karri forest in your Range Rover. Soak in the views at Contos Beach, and call into the small cheese, chocolate and preserve producers along the way.
Make your next stop Howard Park Wines for The Grand Tasting presented by Singapore Airlines. Numerous wine labels will be pouring their catalogues over four hours, accompanied by food from chefs Matt Moran and Silvia Colloca, with live opera providing the soundtrack.
Cap off a big weekend with one last hurrah at Busselton Pavilion. Six ‘local legends’ – chefs Brendan Pratt (Busselton Pavilion), Mal Chow (Chow’s Table), Aaron Carr (Yarri), Ben Jacob (Lagoon Yallingup), Corey Rozario (Dahl Daddies) and Laura Koentjoro (Banksia Tavern) – will be preparing a dish each. Dance the night away as vinyl spins and the sun sets on another day.
Day 6
Head underground. (Image: Tourism WA)
After a busy few days of wining and dining, it’s wise to observe a rest day. There’s no easier task than unwinding in the Margaret River Region, also famous for its high concentration of world-class beaches.
Relax on the grassy knoll as you watch the region’s most experienced surfers braving the World Surf League break at Surfer’s Point, or don your own wetsuit and try out one of Gracetown’s more beginner-friendly waves. Swimmers will find their Eden at Meelup Beach, Eagle Bay, or Point Piquet, where the sand is brilliantly white and the water as still as a backyard swimming pool.
Not into sun, sand, and surf? Head underground at Mammoth Cave, just one of the region’s many stalactite-filled caves.
Day 7
Farewell the Margaret River.
Pack up your Range Rover with new favourite wines and newfound memories, ready for the three-hour journey back to Perth.
