I travelled to Rottnest Island, Western Australia during winter 2022 and I wasn’t disappointed by the incredible beaches and relaxed island nature.
The ocean is a beautiful colour of turquoise, and the people very friendly. And it only takes a half hour ferry from Perth to visit Rottnest island, year round.
During my half-day on Rottnest Island, I saw the famous quokkas, had a delicious outdoor lunch, perused the visitors centre, bought snacks, and visited some of the most stunning beaches! Here is a breakdown of the best things to do on Rottnest Island and everything you need to know when visiting.
Weather on Rottnest Island
Although Autumn and Spring are the best seasons to visit Rottnest Island, the weather was lovely in July when I was there in winter. I recommend keeping an eye on the weather forecast at this time of year though, because Rottnest Island weather varies daily.
Getting Around Rottnest Island
I found visiting the beaches on Rottnest Island very easy. The best ways to see some or all of the beaches on Rottnest are hiring bikes, walking or getting on the hop on/hop off bus. I took the bus which was easy to jump off at any beach and hop back on when the bus passed by, every 45 mins.
Rottnest Island Beaches
There are a total of 20 bays and 63 beaches on Rottnest Island. I chose to visit these below due to the reviews I had read beforehand, the amount of time I had on the island (half a day) and cooler weather conditions.
Here is a list of my favourite beaches on Rottnest Island!
Little Salmon Bay
The first beach I visited on Rottnest was Little Salmon Bay. Even in winter it is such a pretty beach, with turquoise water, white sand and lovely snorkeling conditions. The small cove is ideal for a picnic and to enjoy the scenery. Little Salmon Bay is a short bike ride from the main shops and visitor centre of Rottnest Island.
Geordie Bay
Geordie Bay is located towards the opposite end of the hop-on/hop-off bus. Families with young kids would benefit most from the short walk down to a quiet bay. Holidayers will love the nearby rental properties with views of Geordie Bay and Fays Bay. This bay has a big sandy beach and gorgeous blue sea, and is one of the busiest on the island. Geordie Bay is kid-friendly, calm, and never seems over crowded.
Fays Bay
Fays Bay is a small bay, to the east of Geordie Bay. It’s a short hike down to this pretty shoreline. As I made my way down the path, a group of people were swimming said the water temperature wasn’t very cold, even in winter. The afternoon sky views later in the day leading up to sunset are breathtaking here and worth the visit alone. Fays Bay is another protected beach to enjoy before returning to the main settlement area.
Other noteworthy beaches on Rottnest Island:
The Basin
The Basin features a lovely swimming area as well as shady areas for relaxing and taking in the scenery. This beach is ideal for swimming in the clear ocean, watching yachts, and spending time with family. The main shops area of Rottnest is only ten minutes away from The Basin.
Pinky Beach
Pinky Beach is named after gorgeous colour of the beach at sunset. This little bay that is revered as one of the prettiest on the island. The Bathurst Lighthouse is situated at one end of the beach, and the beautiful, calm and clear bay water is ideal for snorkelling.
Rottnest Island Snorkeling
There are paid Rottnest Island snorkeling tour options, or alternatively you have the choice of heading to the calmer beaches and bays and jumping in on your own. There are plenty of information signs at most beaches to let you know the conditions of each area.
Some of the calmest and clearest beaches to snorkel on Rottnest are Little Salmon Bay (my favourite), Henrietta Rocks, Mary Cove, Little Parakeet Bay and The Basin.
Rottnest Island Bars And Restaurants
It was almost lunchtime when I arrived on the island and I stumbled upon Lontara, a restaurant/café/bar located across from Isola Bar, not far from the settlement and with a large open space facing the beach. I ate on the deck overlooking Thomson’s Bay at this casual yet chic lunch café. A quokka even stopped by the table next to me to amuse some young kids.
Other highly rated restaurants and bars on Rottnest Island include Isola Bar e Cibo, Hotel Rottnest and Samphire Rottnest.
Rottnest Island Visitor Centre
The Rottnest Island Visitor Centre is situated in Thomson’s bay, in front of the main settlement. This is where you will find public toilets, lockers, souvenirs and importantly, they have power to charge your phone if needed! This visitors centre is a great resource for anyone needing assistance or information when they arrive on Rottnest island.
Rottnest Island Grocery Store
The settlement is also an easy way to see Quokkas wandering through the main area, which consists of ice cream shops and takeaway, and a good quality grocery store where can buy provisions for the day.
Rottnest Island History
Our island bus driver had plenty of Rottnest Island information and facts to share, including how the island was named when the Dutch arrived, thinking that Quokkas were large rats! This became ‘Rottanest Island’, island of rats. This was later changed to Rottnest Island.
There are old buildings and pretty cottages on the island, which were commissioned by the governor of Perth in the1800s, with some still occupied by holidayers in peak seasons.
Indigenous History
The Whadjuk Noongar people are at the beginning of Rottnest Island’s/Wadjemup’s indigenous history.
“Place where the spirits are over the lake” is what the name Wadjemup represents.
During the previous ice age, 6,000–7,000 years ago, Wadjemup was connected to the mainland and served as an important meeting and ceremonial site, as the Nyoongar people, including the Whadjuk, could reach it on foot.
The Whadjuk people were living during these changes, and they had stories or chronicles that describe their observations of this significant geological event.
A Reconciliation Site
For Aboriginal communities around Western Australia, Wadjemup holds special meaning because of the Indigenous captives buried there.
A study is currently in progress to identify the locations associated with the Aboriginal prison era accurately and, in collaboration with the Aboriginal population of Western Australia, establish a future use for them.
Rottnest Island Map
