Rottnest Island Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Rottnest Island featuring marine life
Enjoy the beautiful waters, the stunning wildlife and the rich heritage of this fascinating island just off the coast of Perth.

Lying less than 20 kilometres from the mainland and set in the mesmerising waters of the Indian Ocean, Rottnest Island is a popular destination with holidaymakers who come to see the local flora and fauna, go for a swim, and laze under the sun on its white sandy beaches.

A small island of just 11 kilometres by 4.5 kilometres at its longest and widest points, it nonetheless has plenty to offer. You can get around the island by renting a bicycle of taking the shuttle bus from the ferry stop and see the key destinations dotted around. The main settlement is built around Thomas Bay, and the further you tread the quieter and more secluded the island becomes.

There are so many ideal spots to swim all around the island. If you’re a keen snorkeler you can delve into the water to see the coral and fish. You can also go shore diving or dive off a boat and see the nurse sharks and rays in the waters around the island. Surfers can also ride the waves at Strickland and Stark Bays. Or for a marginally drier experience, get on board a glass-bottom boat to see the coral at its finest.

Among the wildlife unique to the island are quokkas, small marsupials which the Dutch explorer Willem de Vlamingh discovered here back in the 17th century. Thinking they were rats, this is what led him to name the island 'Rottnest', or ‘Rat’s Nest’. The Aboriginals, However, who had lived here for the better part of 6,500 years before the Dutchman arrived, called the island 'Wadjemup'. You can find out more about all this and the island’s history and discovery by European settlers at the Rottnest Island Museum.

For a great view of the ocean you can climb up to the top of the Bathurst Lighthouse. Several ships have struck the island’s reefs over the years and sunk on the shore you can see plaques dedicated to them and signalling the wreckages.

You can reach Rottnest Island by boarding a pedestrian ferry from the docks in Fremantle, the jetty in central Perth or from Hillarys Boat Harbour. If you’re planning to stay over to explore more of the island, make sure you find somewhere to stay in advance.

Art Series - The Adnate
Art Series - The Adnate
4 out of 5
900 HAY STREET, Perth, WA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$186 per night from 21 Apr to 22 Apr
AU$186
per night
21 Apr - 22 Apr
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Perth. Enjoy breakfast, room service, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (325 reviews)
"Great location and apart from needing to move rooms upon check-in (due to stale smell of cigarette smoke in room), was a great stay! Would have been nice to have some sun lounges around the pool, however understand that there is very limited space to work with."

Reviewed on 24 Mar. 2024

Art Series - The Adnate
Discovery Resorts - Rottnest Island
Discovery Resorts - Rottnest Island
2.5 out of 5
Strue Road, Rottnest Island, WA
The price is AU$334 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
AU$334
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this beach holiday park in Perth. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (339 reviews)
Amazing place
"Amazing location and superb facilities. Right on the beach, so comfortable and spacious. Could not have asked for better. My only disappointment was that my stay was for only one night!"

Reviewed on 11 Mar. 2024

Discovery Resorts - Rottnest Island
Pan Pacific Perth
Pan Pacific Perth
5 out of 5
207 Adelaide Terrace, East Perth, WA
The price is AU$199 per night from 12 Apr to 13 Apr
AU$199
per night
12 Apr - 13 Apr
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Perth. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,007 reviews)
"Nice room, great food served at the wedding we attended."

Reviewed on 25 Mar. 2024

Pan Pacific Perth
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Adina Apartment Hotel Perth
Adina Apartment Hotel Perth
4.5 out of 5
33 Mounts Bay Road, GPS: 21 Mounts Bay Road, Perth, WA
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Perth. Enjoy an outdoor pool, WiFi, and room service. Popular attractions Elizabeth Quay and Hay Street Mall are located ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,325 reviews)
"Good central location in CBD, opposite the convention centre. Convenient and easy access to eateries and river cruise jetty. Our one bedroom apartment is well appointed with modern amenities and comfortable bedding. Will recommend to any business or leisure travelles."

Reviewed on 24 Mar. 2024

Adina Apartment Hotel Perth
Broadwater Resort Como
Broadwater Resort Como
4.5 out of 5
137 Melville Parade, Como, WA
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Perth. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a children's pool. Popular attractions Perth Zoo and Elizabeth Quay are ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (627 reviews)
"Very clean and comfy Well appointed Great pool"

Reviewed on 24 Mar. 2024

Broadwater Resort Como
Quest Fremantle
Quest Fremantle
3.5 out of 5
8 Pakenham Street, Fremantle, WA
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly aparthotel in Perth. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9/10 Wonderful! (773 reviews)
"Well situated"

Reviewed on 28 Mar. 2024

Quest Fremantle
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Activities

Reviews of Rottnest Island

4.6
Top destination
5 - Excellent
34
" "5 - Excellent 65.38461538461539%
4 - Good
17
" "4 - Good 32.69230769230769%
3 - Okay
1
" "3 - Okay 1.9230769230769231%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
22 Feb 2020

We have always loved Rotto, but it is disappointing to see how it is losing some of it's charm....lots of buses, extra vehicles, a lot of building for additional accomodation. Sadly a small island that is becoming over run with tourists.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
2 Feb 2020

Laid back island , kids love being able to cycle . Lovely bays for swimming and snorkeling. Take your own food over as every thing is over priced. Not much else to do besides cycling, sight seeing, beach so pack board games etc

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
30 Jan 2020

Expensive for a family holiday, but the island is awesome.

4/5 - Good

Pat
5 Jan 2020

Accommodation too expensive for poor standard Dome cafe food is very poor standard too The beaches are beautiful and ferry attendants friendly

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
29 Dec 2019

Don’t stay in Thomson Bay Area on Friday or Saturday night if you want peace and quiet as the pub frequently gets noisy bands playing outdoors.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
20 Dec 2019

Loved cycling around the island on an ebike, wish I had time to stop and snorkel some of the beaches

Cities near Rottnest Island