Rottnest Island / Wadjemup

Discover the best attractions and activities on Wadjemup / Rottnest Island. Just 20km off the coast of Fremantle, but an entire world away, lies the sunny holiday island of Rottnest, blessed with a casual atmosphere, picturesque scenery, dazzling marine life and some of the world's finest beaches and pristine bays. Wadjemup, the Noongar name of the island, means 'place across the water where the spirits are'.

This land is that of the traditional owners, the Whadjuk Noongar people, who know the island as a resting place of the spirits, as well as a memorial place of the Aboriginal men and boys whose bodies still rest beneath the sands of Wadjemup. This is a history that we acknowledge and pay respect to. Rottnest Island is surrounded by the expanse of the Indian Ocean, with uncrowded beaches, traffic-free streets, and home to the world-famous quokkas. Beaches and bays are all yours to explore, add in snorkelling, surfing, and sunshine; and holidays are made of this.

You won't be left wondering what to do on Rottnest Island with an abundance of tours, activities, and attractions. Skydive onto the beach, join a Segway tour, or gather around to learn about Aboriginal stories of Wadjemup. Museums, barracks, lighthouses, war relics and railways tell of the more recent history. Watch boats in the bay silhouetted by a pastel sunset. Wine and dine on seafood at beachfront bars or grab a 'craydog' from The Lane. Come for the day, stay for a week. This is where coastal landscapes become the backdrop to your forever memories.

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Rottnest Island Walking Trails

Keen to explore Rottnest Island? Traverse the island's unique landscapes along one of their many trails. The Wadjemup Bidi is a series of…

Top Things To Do

Wondering what to do on Rottnest Island? Discover some of the best picks here.

Swim and relax by the stunning waters - you have 63 beaches and 20 bays to choose from.
Enjoy a decadent sea-to-plate experience on an all-inclusive seafood cruise.
Explore the island on an adventure cruise, pearl lugger cruise or scenic flight.
Tick off a bucket list item - skydiving over the ocean!
Discover marine wildlife and an underwater snorkel trail at Little Salmon Bay.
Take a bus tour to all of Rottnest Island's must-see locations.
Follow your own path hiking along the Wadjemup Bidi.
Encounter a variety of nature and wildlife including birdlife, quokkas, and wildflowers.
Join one of the many free guided walking tours or join a guided walking, segway or e-bike tour.
Enjoy luxurious catamaran sunset sail or pearl lugger cruise.
Learn about the island's history at the Wadjemup Museum, Wadjemup Lighthouse and Oliver Hill.
Embark on a moving cultural experience with Go Cultural Aboriginal Tours and Experiences.

Getting to and around

Rottnest is easy to reach, with regular ferries from Fremantle, Perth City and Hillarys with Rottnest Express, Rottnest Fast Ferries, and SeaLink Rottnest Island. Bring or hire a bike to explore the island's scenic paths, or take the Discover Rottnest Bus Tour or hop-on-hop-off service. Free walking tours and guided experiences - including snorkelling, skydiving, segway tours and more - can be booked at the Rottnest Island Visitor Centre.

A water playground

Water activities play a major role in island life - from snorkelling and diving to fishing, surfing, boating, sailing and swimming! With vibrant tropical fish and coral, heading below the surface is a truly worthwhile experience. Rottnest Island boasts the world's most southerly corals and seasoned divers will be happy to know that just off the coast slumbers a vast graveyard of shipwrecks waiting to be explored. Informational plaques can be found alongside the wrecks and are complemented by onshore plaques indicating their location for those that don't want to brave the depths. Rottnest Island is also renowned for surfing with some of the best breaks in the world found at Strickland Bay. Surfing season is at its best from May to October.

Eat and drink

When it comes to food and drink, you'll be spoilt for choice. Enjoy beachside dining and fresh seafood at Isola Bar e Cibo, locally inspired dishes at Pinky's Rottnest Island or take yourself on a culinary journey through Southeast Asia at Lontara. Treat yourself to great coffee at Pelican, The Lane, Dome Café and Geordie's Café or if you're after some delicious pub grub, head to Hotel Rottnest. Grab a casual bite from Frankies on Rotto, Subway, Rottnest Bakery and The General Store. Rottnest Island's newest accommodation offering, The Lodge Wadjemup offers relaxed dining with lake views at Sunsets.

Nature and wildlife

Rottnest Island has many bike and walk trails that criss-cross the island – you can pick up your map from the visitor centre, once you hop off the ferry. The Wadjemup Bidi will take you across spectacular coastal headlands, past stunning lakes and natural and man-made attractions. Wadjemup Bidi is 45 kilometres of trails made up of 5 sections, each boasting culturally and environmentally significant landmarks to appreciate and experience.

For an all-inclusive eco-tour, The Hike Collective offers pack-free, luxury adventure walking tours on Rottnest Island, suitable for beginners and hiking enthusiasts. To see the island's most scenic views on an electric bike, Paul’s Eco E-bike Tours is for you. You will follow a knowledgeable guide, take a beach walk or swim at one of the many beautiful bays on an electric bike tour.

Aboriginal culture and island history

Join one of the free guided walking tours run by the Rottnest Island Volunteer Guides and discover more about the unique island. Learn more and heighten your appreciation for Wadjemup on a walking tour with the award-winning Go Cultural Aboriginal Tours and Experiences. At the Wadjemup Museum reflect on the past as you explore historical items and learn about the island's history through stories of imprisonment, natural history, and culture, developed with the Wadjemup Aboriginal Reference Group.