Things you must see and do
After 50 years of service to the Island we know how to make the most of your experience. Whilst there’s plenty to see and do on Rottnest, there are some ‘must do’s’ with biking, snorkeling, fishing and surfing topping most people’s lists. At Rottnest Express we’ve gone to great lengths to ensure that you can make the most of these activities.
Natural Rottnest
Bike riding
There are no cars on Rottnest so cycling is the only way to get around. We have a fleet of over 300 bikes (24 speed Giant Boulder). You can tell our bikes apart from the rest – they’re red! Try one and you’ll find that just like our boats — we don’t know why or how – but red does go faster. Book your bike before you go, wheel it off the jetty and away you go. No waiting, no lining up and more time for you to enjoy your day.Click here for more information on bike hire
Snorkel Trail
The waters off Rottnest offer a wealth of treasures. With over 360 species of fish, around 13 ship wrecks and numerous reefs and coral, diving and snorkeling around Rottnest Island is a must. Rottnest Express has snorkels and flippers for hire so there’s nothing stopping you from taking to the water. Snorkel trails can be found at Little Salmon Bay and Parakeet Bay.Click here for more information on snorkel hire
Best beaches
During summer, bays on the south offer protection in the mornings from the prevailing easterly winds. Try Parker Point and Little Salmon Bay. By afternoon the famous cooling Fremantle Doctor comes in from the south west making bays to the North such as the Basin, Parakeet bay and Little Armstrong Bay the best.
Great Fishing
Rottnest Island is famous for its fishing. There are around 13 ship wrecks around the island and around 360 different species of fish drawn to Rottnest through the Leeuwin current. For anglers without a boat there are still many options to catch fish on Rottnest Island. Rottnest Express sells a very convenient combo fishing kit including telescopic fishing rod. Save time and buy before you go.Click here for more information on fishing hire
Surfing
Some of the best surfing conditions in Western Australia are found around Rottnest Island. Strickland Bay, Salmon Bay and Stark Bay in particular are popular breaks for surfers and body boarders. In fact, Strickland Bay has been ranked in the top 50 breaks in the world. Rottnest Express has a number of great value options for surfers.Click here for more information on surfing
Eco Adventure
Want to see a side of Rottnest that very few people ever see? A Rottnest Express Eco Tour is the perfect way to the very best of Rottnest. On each tour you are likely to experience dolphins, seals, whales at certain times of the year plus a myriad of bird life. You’ll also, see through the eyes of our qualified crew, how the island was formed and experience the magic of Rottnest Island’s unique coral reef and limestone geology.Click here for more information on our Eco Adventures
Wildlife
Quokka Spotting
The best place to see this cute animal is from the board walk at the end of the Garden Lake walk trail. Quokkas are nocturnal animals so best viewing is either at dawn or dusk.
Whale watching
The best way to see the whales is to take an Eco tour, however Pod whales and Humpback whales can often be seen from the Island (August to November). The best place to spot whales from land is West End.
Click here for more information on whale watching tours
Bird Life
Find an amazing array of bird life among the islands many salt lakes. Coastal birds around Rottnest Island include the Pied Cormorant, Pied Oystercatcher, Silver Gull, Crested, Caspian, Fairy and Bridled Tern, and Eastern Reef Egret. Also see Rottnest’s resident Ospreys high up on the cliffs at Salmon Point. The Eco Express offers bird lovers a unique view of the many feathered friends you’ll find on Rottnest.
Click here for more information on our Eco Adventures
Places of Interest
Walking tours
Experience 6500 years of history with one of the Island’s passionate volunteer guides. Join them on a leisurely walking tour as they take you on a journey through the island’s rich history.
Oliver Hill Tunnels
Take a scenic ride to Oliver Hill where you’ll find the underground tunnels. This network of tunnels was constructed during WWII by the Oliver Hill Battery.
Wind Farm
Rottnest is an A Class nature Reserve and uses wind turbines to fill a large portion of its power requirements.
Water Treatment
Rottnest’s rain water supply is supplemented with desalinated ground water using a reverse osmosis plant producing up to 500 kL per day.
Wadjemup Light House
The 360-degree view from the highest point on Rottnest makes the Wadjemup Lighthouse tour a worthwhile experience. On a clear summer’s day you can easily make out the pine trees on Cottesloe Beach, while to the east the wide blue Indian Ocean stretches to the horizon. The view – and plenty of local history are on offer in a tour which begins with a bus ride from Thomson Bay and takes the scenic route towards Kingstown Barracks and past several of the island’s stunning bays. On arrival at the lighthouse visitors are given some history of the building whose recognises the island’s significance to Indigenous people and is believed to mean “place across the water.”
Museum
Built with Aboriginal labour in 1857 by Henry Vincent, this building was originally a hayshed and granary. Today the museum displays provide a comprehensive coverage of the main themes on the island; natural history, marine wrecks, European settlement, Aboriginal prisoners, communications and recreation. It also houses a wealth of historical photographs to view.
Entertainment
Eating out
Enjoy one of the Islands many eateries. Try the Aristos Waterfront, Quokka Arms, Dome café, Rottnest Lodge, the Geordie Bay Café plus a number of fast food options. Don’t miss out on the legendary Rottnest bun available from the bakery – but hurry — they do run out!
The Famous Island Bar
For years the open air Island Bar the Quokka Arms has been the place to kick back and relax with a cooling ale. It’s a local institution – make it yours too!
Sports and Leisure
Play golf at the Rottnest Country Golf Club, Western Australia’s most unique gold course. The course is best between May and September when invigorated by seasonal rains. Tennis is also an island favourite with a number of courts available for hire.
Wellness Centre
Taking indulgence to a new level, this new addition to the Island offers a full variety of beauty treatments from manicures to massages and beyond. The Butterfly Dreaming Retreat located in the Settlement strives to ensure that you leave feeling nurtured, through your body mind and spirit. Visitors will be able to relax and unwind or spend their time revitalizing their body and refreshing their spirit with the range of massage and beauty treatments available.
Scenic Flights
Scenic flights around Rottnest Island and beyond are conduced by the Rottnest Air Taxi service and depart from the Rottnest Aerodrome – call 1800 500 006 for reservations.
Kids’ Activities
Rottnest Island Education Services offer a wide range of school holiday programs for both parents and kids. They’re great fun and informative too. The Discovery Centre at Kingstown Barracks is well worth a visit.
Cinema
Catch a movie in the Rottnest Island Picture Hall. Open all year round, the movies are a great way to relax and unwind after a hard day at the beach.
Click here for Virtual Tour of Rottnest (Rottnest Island Authority)
Click here to download a Complimentary map of Rottnest Island (PDF)
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