The Best Things To Do On Rottnest Island

From two-day hikes that skirt Rottnest Island, to climbing the Wadjemup Lighthouse and surfing Strickland Bay, here are the top 12 things to do on Rottnest Island.

Rottnest Island (Wadjemup) is only 11 kilometres long and 4.5 kilometres at its widest, making it easy to explore with a number of great walking and cycling trails, museums and attractions as well as opportunities to encounter a variety of wildlife, including quokkas.

1. Follow the Wadjemup Bidi trail

Loop around the island with the Hike Collective on one of the Wadjemup Bidi walk trails that veer across coastal headlands, past stunning inland lakes and man-made attractions. Bidi means ‘trail’ in the Noongar language spoken by the Whadjuk Noongar First Nations people, who are the traditional owners of Rottnest Island (Wadjemup). The 45-kilometre trail can be carved up into five bite-sized sections, and Hike Collective’s 12-kilometre guided hike includes a loop around the salt lakes, which make up 10 per cent of the island.

The Wadjemup Bidi walk Rottnest Island — The Wadjemup Bidi walk veers across the coastal headland. (Image: Rottnest Island Authority)

2. Snorkel or dive at Little Salmon Bay and Parker Point

Head to Pedal & Flipper to hire electric bikes or those that require pedal power as well as snorkels and masks so you can loop around the island at your own pace. The reef surrounding Rottnest is said to have formed some 100,000 years ago when sea levels were thought to be three metres higher than they are today. Little Salmon Bay is one of the most popular spots on the island for first-time snorkellers as it’s calm and sheltered and has a trail that skirts along the limestone reef.

Parker Point Rottnest Island — Parker Point is a slice of paradise. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

3. Relax on some of Rotto’s world-famous beaches

There are more than 63 secluded beaches and 20 bays to choose from on Rottnest Island, which means you can choose your own adventure. The island, referred to as Rotto by WA locals, is a haven for swimming, fishing, surfing, hiking and diving. Hop on and off the Island Explorer bus and do a hot lap of the island to find your patch of paradise.

Pinky Beach Rottnest Isalnd — Life is beautiful on Pinky Beach.

4. Brush up on the island’s history

Visitors can come away with insights into Rotto’s rich history after wandering around the Wadjemup Museum, Lomas Cottage and Pilot Boat House for starters. The newly renovated museum houses everything from 40,000-year-old artefacts to outdoor sculptures and is located inside the ‘Old Mill and Hay Store’. Learn about ex-convict John Lomas at Lomas Cottage, and visit the 1859 Pilot Boat House, which nods to Rotto’s maritime history.

5. Visit Oliver Hill Guns & Tunnels

There is a maze of underground tunnels beneath the Second World War gun emplacement on Oliver Hill. History boffins should join a guided walking tour with one of Rottnest Island’s enthusiastic voluntary guides to learn about the nationally significant defence heritage site located in the centre of the island. Get onboard the Captain Hussey trolley train , which will transport you from Settlement Railway Station to Oliver Hill.

6. Snap an (ethical) selfie with a quokka

Snapping a selfie with a quokka, often described as the ‘happiest animal in the world’ is regarded as a brag-worthy big deal with everyone from actors Hugh Jackman and Margo Robbie to tennis star Roger Federer uploading selfies alongside the cute marsupial. But when it comes to capturing the money shot of the island’s star attraction, there are some dos and don’ts with the No. 1 rule being: let the quokka come to you.

Quokka on Rottnest Island — Meet the world’s happiest animal! (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

7. Visit the Wadjemup Lighthouse precinct

To gain the ultimate views across the whole island, head to Wadjemup Lighthouse, located at the highest rise on Rottnest Island. In addition to admiring the 38-metre-high lighthouse, which was constructed in 1896 and is the fourth tallest in Australia, visitors can use the interpretative signage to learn about the other buildings in the heritage precinct: the Signal Station, Battery Observation Post and Women’s Royal Australian Navy Service.

Rottnest Island lighthouse — Admire the 38-metre-high lighthouse.

8. Join a 90-minute adventure cruise

The high-powered Eco Express Adventure Boat Tour gives passengers an unforgettable encounter with the island’s birdlife, dolphins and whales. The eco-certified tour skirts the island between November and April and carves through the Indian Ocean looking for seals, ospreys and whales (when in season). It also presents a unique perspective of the mosaic of rolling Rottnest Island countryside.

9. Catch a wave at Strickland Bay

Strickland Bay is a world-class surf break located at Rotto. Scan the QR code pinned to the signage at the surf hut to view a short documentary film that celebrates the island’s early surfing pioneers such as Al Bean and Mike “Stomper" McAuliffe who used to paddle two hours from City Beach to Rotto to surf. Strickos is a high-performance wave for experienced surfers only.

Strickland Bay, Rottnest Island — Strickland Bay is the island’s best surf spot. (Image: Rottnest Island Authority)

10. Skydive and see things from above

Thrill seekers will be hard-pressed to find a skydiving experience as picturesque as the 10,000ft jump above Rottnest Island. Skydive Geronimo offers Western Australia’s only island skydive experience where you will witness aerial views of Rottnest Islands’ white sand beaches and secluded coves, and beyond to the Perth city skyline. Finish your adventure by landing safely on the pristine beaches of Salmon, Thompson, or Bickley Bays.

Skydive Geronimo Rottnest Island — Appreciate the island’s beauty from a different perspective. (Image: Skydive Geronimo)

11. Jump on a catamaran

Not satisfied with just staying on the shore? Get out further into the turquoise waters by jumping on a catamaran. Charter 1 offers private sailing snorkelling charter experiences around Rottnest’s West End. Choose from either the 3-hour snorkel and sail tour on a luxury catamaran or the half-day Carnac Island Eco-Tour where you can spot Australian Sea Lions.

Charter 1 catamaran Rottnest Island — Set sail on the turquoise waters of Rottnest Island. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

This article was originally written by Carla Grossetti and updated by Rachael Thompson.

Discover the perfect road trip stopover between Perth and wine country.

Western Australia punches above its weight when it comes to coastal hot spots, but no other town or city has seen a tourism boom quite like Mandurah. Named Australia’s Top Tourism Town in 2023 , it’s the relaxed, beachside break you’ve been searching for. And it’s perfectly placed, sitting between Margaret River and Perth, as it’s just a 55-minute drive from Perth’s CBD. Which is why we’ve put together your ultimate Mandurah guide.

Aerial view of Mandurah. — Plan your perfect coastal escape to Australia’s Top Tourism Town of 2023.

The best things to do in Mandurah

Wetlands and rivers, ocean and inlet; Mandurah’s laid-back lifestyle centres around the aquatic. Its waterways cover twice the ground of Sydney Harbour – measuring some 134 square kilometres in total – and form a unique environment for oceanic and estuarine flora and fauna to thrive.

In the city’s estuary lives perhaps the region’s most famed inhabitants – a resident pod of 100 bottlenose dolphins – and the inlet’s silty bottom is home to the prized blue manna crab. Spot the former breaching and playing on an hour-long dolphin cruise through the channels, or try your hand at catching the latter by wading through the estuary’s shallows with a scoop net in hand.

While swimming at the circular Kwillena Gabi Pool, chance encounters with the local wildlife aren’t uncommon. The sheltered estuarine pool takes its name from the traditional custodians of the land, the Bindjareb people, and directly translates to ‘dolphin waters’. Jutting out of the eastern foreshore, it’s enclosed by a ring of net-free floating pontoons, which allow the dolphins to swim freely through the attraction.

If that’s a little too close for comfort, book a kayak tour with Down Under Discoveries . The dolphins have been known to cruise beside the paddle-powered crafts, which are a fun, family-friendly way to explore the city’s inner waterways.

Dolphins swimming in Mandurah. — Watch dolphins glide by as you explore Mandurah.

You don’t have to be on the water to appreciate the coastal city’s aquatic beauty, with 600 kilometres of cycleways and scenic walking trails traversing Mandurah’s estuary, inlet and coast.

Follow the 30-kilometre coastal trail and you’ll come face to face with one of Thomas Dambo’s headline-making ‘Giants of Mandurah sculptures, Santi Ikto, along the way. There are five sculptures around Mandurah in total, hidden among gum-filled reserves or sitting sentry over the water.

Head to the Mandurah Visitor Centre to pick up a map to pinpoint their exact location and download the traveller’s companion to learn more about the sights along the way. Or join a three-hour e-bike tour from The Bike Kiosk and you’ll stop by two of the giants – Santi Ikto and Yaburgurt Winjan Cirkelstone – as you sightsee central Mandurah.

The towering Santi Ikto, one of Thomas Dambo’s iconic Giants of Mandurah. — Meet Santi Ikto, one of the legendary Giants of Mandurah.

Where to eat in Mandurah

Mandurah’s culinary scene reflects its laid-back lifestyle, with large, honest meals and locally brewed beer. After visiting Lake Clifton’s 2000-year-old thrombolites, head to the peppermint and gum-shaded beer garden at Thorny Devil Brewery . Tuck into a platter of house-smoked meats and an ale pulled fresh from the tanks. Closer to town and right on the waterfront is Boundary Island Brewery ; here, woodfired pizza, pub-style seafood dishes and easy-drinking brews are centre stage.

On a Murray River Lunch Cruise , the focus is as much on the environment around you as the food you’re filling up on. Help yourself to the colourful salads and freshly cooked meats on the buffet as you meander up the winding, jarrah tree-lined waterway, stopping at the heritage Cooper’s Mill for a quick walking tour along the way.

Keep your eyes trained on the Creery Wetlands as you pass – you’ll spot much of the region’s migratory birdlife, and, as always, might see the playful bottlenose dolphins in the inlet.

The most memorable meals aren’t necessarily always the fanciest, and lunch aboard a self-skippered Mandurah BBQ Boat is a testament to that. All food and beverage prep is left up to you as you cruise through the canals, sausages and steaks sizzling away on the central hot plate.

If seafood is more your kind of fare, board the Wild Seafood Experience , where dolphin cruise meets long table lunch. Eight courses of crab, crayfish and scallops await.

A table filled with plates of crab, crayfish, and scallops. — Dine on the water with eight courses of ocean-fresh fare.

Where to stay in Mandurah

With so many waterways comes abundant waterside stays. Like the self-contained Seashells Mandurah on the shores of Comet Bay. The calm, oceanic outlook from the one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and villas is as close to Maldivian as Mandurah gets. Families especially enjoy the property, bouncing between the protected cove and the beachfront pool for endless hours of fun.

The Sebel Mandurah , just a hop, skip and jump from the Mandurah Ocean Marina, has a different outlook entirely, overlooking the estuary and lively foreshore on the other side. It’s also within walking distance of the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre , cinema and a swathe of waterfront bars and eateries.

But you can’t get any closer to the water than on a vessel from Mandurah Houseboats . You don’t need a skipper’s ticket to hire one, nor do you need comprehensive boating experience; just a full driver’s license and your undivided attention during the pre-departure tuition will do. Then you’re free to take to the estuaries and tributaries for a few nights of peaceful rest, surrounded by the very element that makes Mandurah so special.

A houseboat cruising in Mandurah along the river — Captain a houseboat to explore Mandurah at your own pace.

Plan your next WA getaway in Mandurah.

The top 11 things to do on Rottnest Island