The ultimate travel guide to Rottnest Island

While we're big fans of exploring Rotto on foot, there's something about whizzing around with a bike seat beneath your bum that brings a childlike delight to the journey. The 11km long and 4.5km wide island is car-free, meaning most island-goers get around on two wheels. You can bring your own bike on the ferry, or you can rent one from Pedal and Flipper, located a short walk from the island’s ferry terminal. These guys also offer kids' bikes and electric bikes, plus snorkels, wetsuits and stand-up paddleboards. 

Price: One-day bike hire is $32 for adults and $20.50 for children; one-day electric bike hire for $73

If cycling isn’t your thing or you’re after a more relaxed way to explore the island, consider getting a day pass for the hop-on and hop-off Rottnest Island Explorer Bus. You can grab a day pass for this air-conditioned shuttle bus at the visitor centre on arrival or pre-purchase one online. The bus stops at 19 beautiful sights around the island, including Thomson Bay, Wadjemup Lighthouse and the wild West End. You can also opt for a scenic, guided bus tour that hits all the island’s biggest hot spots in 90 minutes.

Price: $30 for adults and $22 for children

Rottnest Island is a paradise for walkers. Spanning 45 kilometres and weaving its way around the island, the Bidi — meaning ‘trail’ in Noongar — consists of five fantastic walks. The ten-kilometre (one-way) Bickley Bay Trail (Ngank Yira Bidi) navigates the southeast corner of the island, from Thomson Bay to Oliver Hill. You’ll leave the hustle and bustle of the settlement behind and explore the remnants of the World War II Bickley Battery, enjoy spectacular 360-degree views from the Jubilee Observation Post, and discover the Henrietta Rocks and Oliver Hill Battery tunnel structures.

Another highlight is the 9.5-kilometre Lakes Trail loop (Gabbi Karniny Bidi) through Rottnest Island’s salt lake ecosystem. You’ll begin your journey at Vlamingh Lookout with some of the best views of the island, then wander along the edge of Herschel Lakes and Lake Baghdad to Thomsons Farm. Stop for a dip in the tranquil waters of Little Parakeet Bay and head towards Geordie Bay, where you can catch the free shuttle back to town, if you prefer a short walk, or backtrack to Vlamingh Lookout to complete the eight-kilometre return trip. 

Best beaches on Rottnest Island: Little Salmon Bay, The Basin, Pinky Beach, Little Armstrong Bay and Geordie Bay

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.

Time Out tip: 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.

Time Out tip: 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).

Best beaches for snorkelling: Parker Point, Little Armstrong Bay, Fay's Bay

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.

Time Out tip: If you need to rent snorkelling or diving gear, Pedal and Flipper Hire (right in front of the main ferry wharf) is your go-to. It's the only place on the island to gear up, so make sure you sort it out before leaving the main settlement.

Price: Snorkel set hire for $21 per day

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. 

Time Out tip: It's worth checking out the Wadjemup Museum, which shares the island's history through 17 thoughtful exhibitions spanning natural history, culture and arts.

Price: Go Cultural tour from $80; Wadjemup Museum entry is free

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. 

Time Out tip: Look out for quokkas hiding in the trees as you walk or ride along the path leading up to the lighthouse.

Price: Lighthouse tour is $15 for adults and $7 for children

When you need a break from the sun and sand, head to Rottnest Island Movies and Mini Golf. This picture palace 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. 

Time Out tip: The theatre only opens on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday nights – and you can check out what's playing on their Facebook page.

Price: Movie tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children aged three to 15

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 from November to 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. 

Time Out tip: 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.

Price: Cruises from $339

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 Café. 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. 

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 soft shell crab karaage. 

Price: Expect to pay more than $50 per head for a meal 

For relaxed but high-quality pub meals, Hotel Rottnest and Pinky’s Rottnest Island 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 garlic chilli prawns and linguini marinara to crispy pork belly and steak sandwiches. 

Price: Expect to pay around $40 for a main meal

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 and the island's newest hotel, The Lodge Wadjemup.

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.

Price: From $50 per night for a campsite, or from $250 per night at Samphire Rottnest