Rottnest Island is one of the most beautiful islands in Australia, and an easy day trip from Perth. Its remote location in Western Australia means that many Aussies haven’t had the chance to visit Rottnest Island, but it’s an absolute must-do if you’re spending time in Perth.
Rottnest Island is most famous for being home to quokkas, adorable native Australian marsupials, which can be found ONLY on Rottnest Island. Beyond the friendly locals, Rottnest Island also has some of the most beautiful beaches in Australia, dotted around the island and accessible by bike.
We visited Rottnest Island on our most recent 3 day trip to Perth, and it was the highlight of our trip!
Accommodation on Rottnest Island
There is a range of accommodation styles on Rottnest Island, but they have one thing in common: it sells out quickly! Luckily, if you can’t find accommodation on Rottnest Island, it’s proximity to Perth makes it a very easy day trip.
Samphire Rottnest – Stay in luxury at Samphire Rottnest’s boutique, beachfront accommodation located in Thomson Bay. It’s right by Hotel Rottnest and other restaurants, and it looks beautiful!
Discovery Resorts Rottnest – Go glamping on Rottnest Island at Discovery Resorts Rottnest, a low-impact, low-fuss glamping option on the island.
Stay Rottnest – Stay Rottnest offers self contained cottage accommodation as well as budget-friendly dorm and hostel accommodation. The self-contained cottages sell out very fast!
Visit Rottnest Island on a Day Trip from Perth
Rottnest Island is one of the most popular holiday destinations near Perth, so competition for the few accommodation spots available can be fierce. Don’t stress if you can’t get accommodation – a day trip to Rottnest Island from Perth is super easy, and you can enjoy so much of the island in a single day. Hire a bike, and you’ll cover plenty of ground!
How to Get to Rottnest Island
The Rottnest Express is a ferry that travels to and from Rottnest Island and Perth several times each day. The ferry departs from Elizabeth Quay in Perth, and drops passengers at Thompsons Bay on Rottnest Island. We booked tickets in advance, online, and had a smooth journey.
The Best Things to do on Rottnest Island
The best thing to do on Rottnest Island is to hire a bike, and cycle between beaches. In our day trip, we had time to cycle between Thompson Bay, Pinky Beach, Parakeet Bay and the Basin.
Get a Quokka Selfie
Quokkas are native to Rottnest Island, and have only survived here because there are no natural predators. They are incredibly cute, and are known for being friendly, inquisitive, and extremely trusting, and from my brief encounter with them on Rottnest, I can see why they wouldn’t stand a chance on the mainland!
You can spot quokkas all over the island, but in my experience, I only saw them lurking around tables at Hotel Rottnest. If you’re trying to get your quokka selfie, make sure not to touch the quokkas – they are still wild animals, and should be respected. It was a bit disappointing to see parents letting their kids tug on quokkas’ tails when we were there.
Hire a Bike
Rottnest Island is car-free, so hire a bike to get around Rottnest Island with ease. You can hire a bike on Rottnest Island at Pedal & Flipper, which is in Thompson Bay.
The Best Beaches on Rottnest Island
Rottnest Island has some of the most beautiful beaches in Australia, so there’s no better way to spend a day on Rottnest Island, than beach hopping!
Despite visiting in the middle of summer, and it being a very hot day, the water was cold as ice! I can only assume it’s freezing year-round, so manage your expectations if you’re hoping for a day spent swimming. Lots of people were in the water, but I would have needed a wetsuit to get in past my knees!
Pinky Beach
Pinky Beach is one of the best swimming beaches on Rottnest Island, and with some of the best swimming conditions. Pinky Beach is located close to the settlement at Thompson Bay, and is a short bike ride or walk away. It’s the longest beach on Rottnest Island, and one of the most popular spots for sunset. Plus, you can kick back at nearby Pinkys Rottnest, for a meal or drinks overlooking the beach. Pinky Beach is popular for snorkelling, with calm, clear and sheltered waters, however when we were there, I was too cold to go in much past my knees!
Little Parakeet Bay
I think Little Parakeet Bay is one of the most picturesque beaches on Rottnest Island, with a dramatic rocky backdrop framing the powdery white sand and crystal clear water. It’s a small, sheltered beach, with calm conditions, making it popular with families. Just past Little Parakeet, you’ll find its big sister, Parakeet Bay, which is equally pretty.
The Basin
The Basin is one of the most popular beaches on Rottnest Island, with a hollowed out reef that creates inviting shallows, perfect for lazing around in. Picnic and BBQ facilities offer spectacular panoramic views over the water, and new toilet and shower facilities make it easy to spend the whole day here. The Basin is a 10 minute walk or short bike ride from the main settlement.
Longreach Bay
The perfect half-moon curve of Longreach Bay makes it one of the most beautiful beaches on Rottnest Island. It has calm, clear waters, but be careful of the steep drop off in the water, which makes it a popular point for mooring boats.
Where to Eat & Drink on Rottnest Island
There is a surprising number of restaurants, bars, cafes and take away spots on Rottnest Island, given how small the island is! Most of the places to eat & drink on Rottnest Island are in the main settlement in Thomson Bay, but there are a few spots scattered farther afield.
Hotel Rottnest
Hotel Rottnest is Rottnest Island’s main pub, located in the heart of Thomson Bay. It’s a great spot for a casual meal or drink at lunch or dinner, and has outdoor seating with water views. It’s also a great spot to see Quokkas – they lurk around the tables, looking for scraps! Don’t feed them your food, but you will likely see some scampering around. We didn’t see any quokkas all day on Rottnest Island, until we stopped at Hotel Rottnest for a drink at the end of the day.
Pinky’s Rottnest
Pinkys Rottnest is one of the few bars and restaurants on Rottnest Island, located outside the main settlement. Pinkys is right on Pinky Beach, and offers one of the best sunset views on the island. Pinkys restaurant & bar highlights local produce and sustainable seafood, and Pinkys deck is a great place to stop for a casual drink, and to try some excellent Western Australian wine.
Further Reading
Hello! I’m an Australian travel blogger, living in Melbourne, Australia. I grew up in Brisbane, studied in Paris, lived & worked in New York City and now live in Melbourne, Australia.
I love sharing specific and useful recommendations, itineraries and guides for the most beautiful things to see, do, experience & eat wherever I go.
My favourite travel destinations are Australia, New York City & surrounds, France, Greece & Japan, but I’m always excited to explore somewhere new!
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